Two kids have had a close encounter of the furry kind with a cuddly koala affectionately called ‘Fluffy’.

An adorable video, believed to be taken in Victoria's Blanket Bay, shows the koala sitting nonchalantly at the base of a tree as the excited kids run towards it.

Although their mum is a little more cautious – begging the kids to stay back for their safety – they dutifully ignore her and march over to meet their new friend.

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The two children ignore their mother's wish to stand back from the koala and run forward to meet their new friend

The girl gives the koala a tender stroke on the back before the boy tickles him behind the ears.

The koala turns to face them, either with affection or annoyance, as the children then emotionally bid him goodbye.

The koala looks back once more before slowly scampering up the tree and out of site.

The girl gives the koala a tender pat on the back before the boy reaches forward to scratch it behind the ears

The koala, which the kids name 'Fluffy', turns around for one last glimpse at his new friends

The children bid farewell to Fluffy before it scampers up the tree and out of site

Koalas are plant-eating marsupials which are native to Australia.

Although koalas have a reputation for being docile and cuddly, occasionally they can become highly aggressive, especially pregnant females.

In 2014 a woman in South Australia had her leg gashed open when a female koala attacked her two dogs before turning on her as she tried to break up the fight.