Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Discover over 70 species of Australian native animals in a beautiful, natural bush setting at the world's first and largest koala sanctuary. Meet a koala, hand-feed kangaroos, marvel at the playful platypus, and enjoy a full daily schedule of keeper talks and activities, including Sheep Dog Show and Wild Lorikeet Feeding. Amenities: free wiFi everywhere, parents' rooms & cafes.
Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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4.5
8,134 reviews
Excellent
5,289
Very good
2,242
Average
415
Poor
94
Terrible
95
catkid3
Victoria, Australia148 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Family
Was very impressed as I had originally thought this was purely a koala sanctuary, but was pleased to find a large variety of Australian wildlife lives here. I also paid an extra $50 for a platypus behind the scenes encounter, which was fabulous; the keeper was extremely knowledgeable and you get the opportunity to prepare food for the platypus. The exhibit itself is also awesome as there are two platypuses and both were very active, providing ample photo opportunities. I lost count of how many koala exhibits there were, so you'd be extremely unlucky to find one who wasn't awake.
There are plenty of informative talks throughout the day - we attended the owl/eagle and sheepdog talks. Make sure to bring plenty of water as although there is a cafe present, there are no water fountains around the sanctuary. Definitely recommend if you're in Brisbane!
There are plenty of informative talks throughout the day - we attended the owl/eagle and sheepdog talks. Make sure to bring plenty of water as although there is a cafe present, there are no water fountains around the sanctuary. Definitely recommend if you're in Brisbane!
Written 28 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nextour N
Nepal2 contributions
Feb. 2023 • Friends
This Trip is a memorable one, I was able to spend my time with exotic and cutest animals - Koala, Kangi, Platypus, dingos and many more! the staff are all kind - the food as well! I will definitely back soon! :)
Written 18 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It is so great to hear that your visit was a memorable one!
We are lucky to be host to over 70 native Australian animals and I am glad to hear that you'll be back to visit soon!
Written 28 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Allons!
Gloucester, VA221 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Friends
Visitor from Virginia, friends here said let’s visit a locals place that you won’t forget. Visited on a warm Thursday late morning, heat and humidity in full bloom! Plenty of shady rest spots which was essential. Great walk through the scenic birds merely set the tone for a great visit. Enjoyed the wild raptors, the Kipa herding demonstration, the crocodile feeding, Koalas everywhere, and the Kangaroo feeding. Simply a superb visit!
Written 16 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there,
Great to hear that you visited on a warm day for the full Aussie experience! We do provide as much shade as we can whilst also maintaining an open air environment for our animals and visitors.
The Free Flight Raptor Show definitely isn't one to miss so I am glad you were able to catch that one. It sounds like you were able to do lots on your visit to the sanctuary and I hope that you were able to learn lots about our native Aussie animals.
Written 28 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Matthew P
Coffs Harbour, Australia1 contribution
Jul. 2023 • Family
Travelled up from Coffs Harbour with the family and made a last-minute decision to stop in at the koala sanctuary as I faintly remembered hearing about it and decided to see ourselves as the kids seemed keen. Overall was a pretty average experience, nothing that terrible but certainly nothing to talk about and a little overpriced in my opinion.
One significant challenge I encountered was the limited time between shows, which didn't allow us ample opportunity to stroll through the sanctuary with the children, exploring along the way. This rushed schedule made it difficult to navigate from one end of the sanctuary to the other and then return for the subsequent show. It was quite demanding for the kids, especially considering their young age. As a result, we found ourselves frequently carrying them, which wasn't particularly accommodating for a kid-friendly experience. Despite their eagerness to see everything, the constant back-and-forth movement led to excessive walking, creating a less than ideal situation for their enjoyment.
I would have appreciated a bit more time between the shows, particularly between the 11 am sheep dog show and the 11:30 am koala talk. The limited time frame made it challenging to move from one end of the sanctuary to the other. By the time we arrived, all the seats were taken, and there was no space available for a good view. The congestion was worsened by the influx of others with the same idea as us, making the walkways to the koala talk overwhelmingly crowded. It would have been beneficial if the schedule specified the exact location of the koala talk, as we found ourselves asking other visitors who were just as clueless as we were about the talk's whereabouts. Unfortunately, there wasn't a staff member readily available for guidance, leaving us to take a guess and hope for the best.
One significant challenge I encountered was the limited time between shows, which didn't allow us ample opportunity to stroll through the sanctuary with the children, exploring along the way. This rushed schedule made it difficult to navigate from one end of the sanctuary to the other and then return for the subsequent show. It was quite demanding for the kids, especially considering their young age. As a result, we found ourselves frequently carrying them, which wasn't particularly accommodating for a kid-friendly experience. Despite their eagerness to see everything, the constant back-and-forth movement led to excessive walking, creating a less than ideal situation for their enjoyment.
I would have appreciated a bit more time between the shows, particularly between the 11 am sheep dog show and the 11:30 am koala talk. The limited time frame made it challenging to move from one end of the sanctuary to the other. By the time we arrived, all the seats were taken, and there was no space available for a good view. The congestion was worsened by the influx of others with the same idea as us, making the walkways to the koala talk overwhelmingly crowded. It would have been beneficial if the schedule specified the exact location of the koala talk, as we found ourselves asking other visitors who were just as clueless as we were about the talk's whereabouts. Unfortunately, there wasn't a staff member readily available for guidance, leaving us to take a guess and hope for the best.
Written 13 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there,
Thank you for your honest review of your visit to the sanctuary.
I appreciate your concerns about pricing and I hope that you understand that we do re-invest the money spent into providing the best care for our animals.
Your feedback on the show times is really beneficial to us as we always like to hear from our guests about how to offer a more seamless experience. As our shows are a very popular experience, we have structured our daily schedule so that guests can get to learn about many of our animals throughout their day. This being said if there is room for improvement in our schedule in our guest's eyes we appreciate hearing it.
We hope that on your next visit to Brisbane, you will consider visiting us again to ensure that we exceed your expectations.
Written 28 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
TOBY D
8 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Family
Great place to take kids, they loved the kangaroo feeding and the bird of prey show. It's well laid out and has a variety of shady places to sit if it gets hot. Highly recommend.
Written 11 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your great review!
I am so happy to hear that you were able to hand feed some of our kangaroos. For only $2 you can buy kangaroo food from our experience hut and have a kangaroo eating out of the palm of your hand in our 5-hectare roo reserve.
Our Free Flight Raptor show is definitely one to catch on your visit where you will have possibly owls and falcons flying over your head. For an extra fee after our afternoon show, you can also have your photo taken holding some of our wonderful raptors.
Written 27 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
puckstopper31
Edmonton, Canada753 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Couples
Yes it’s about seeing Koalas, yes it’s about holding one and feeding Kangaroos and Wallabies. Seeing crocs, Dingos, etc etc….And it’s AWESOME!….watching these little fur balls safe, loved and cared for is heartwarming. A must see in Brisbane.
Written 2 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there,
Thanks so much for your 5-Star review!
It is so great that you were able to catch one of our koala hold sessions. These are one of our most popular experiences and allows you to get up close with one of Australia's most iconic native animals.
I hope you were able to catch some of our daily shows and talks where you are able to learn about our animals and their activities in the wild.
Written 27 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ItchyFeet
Camarillo, CA7,741 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Couples
We got there at opening which I highly suggest and signed up for the koala experience where we got to go into the enclosures and behind the scenes. It was very informative and lots to see.
We could have easily spent an entire day here and did spend most of the day but several critters were already sleeping for the day by the time we arrived since it was quite warm.
Our guide Rachel was very informative and patient with others in the small group that didn’t seem to want to follow directions and asked the same questions 10 times expecting a different answer.
We got up close to the koalas and held one and got great photos and videos.
If you want to have some personal experiences get there early and plan on a full day. We thought about going back but we had a lot to see in our 2 weeks in Queensland.
Highly recommend and be there when it opens
We could have easily spent an entire day here and did spend most of the day but several critters were already sleeping for the day by the time we arrived since it was quite warm.
Our guide Rachel was very informative and patient with others in the small group that didn’t seem to want to follow directions and asked the same questions 10 times expecting a different answer.
We got up close to the koalas and held one and got great photos and videos.
If you want to have some personal experiences get there early and plan on a full day. We thought about going back but we had a lot to see in our 2 weeks in Queensland.
Highly recommend and be there when it opens
Written 28 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there,
Thank you so much for your kind words.
I am so happy to hear that you participated in our Koala Discovery Tour. This tour allows you to go behind the scenes of the sanctuary to see just how we care for our beautiful koalas with one of our education officers.
We would love to welcome you back next time you are in Queensland and maybe to our night tours where you will be able to meet some of our nocturnal animals and once again be hosted by our wonderful Education team.
Written 27 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lisa A
Coppell, TX42 contributions
Sep. 2023
Buy the kangaroo food and spend some time feeding, petting and watching the kangaroos - they are so smart! The emu eats the kangaroo food out of the bag, and you want it too with the pointed beak. What a great experience seeing the most Koalas we've ever seen. They are great to sit and watch as they are given fresh eucalyptus. The staff was fantastic with the dingo petting and pictures, and koala holding and pictures. We were sad to miss the herding dogs herding the sheep.
Written 20 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there,
Thank you so much for your 5-Star review!
Our kangaroos are very intelligent thank you for noticing! I am so happy to hear that you had the opportunity to sit and feed them on your visit. We always recommend for guests to grab a bag of kangaroo food at our experience hut so they too can have this experience.
We are lucky enough to provide a home to over 100 Koalas and I am so happy you got to see some of them during their daily feed-out time.
Our staff are so passionate about our animals and further allowing people to interact with them so its great to hear you got stuck into some of the encounters too!!
Written 11 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
reeceyb
Chichester, UK1,584 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Friends
This place has been going a long time since 1920s or 30s I think and it’s a really nice place to come and see the wildlife up close and even hug a Koloa
Written 14 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there,
Thank you so much for your review! We are lucky enough to be the world's oldest and largest Koala Sanctuary so we appreciate your review!
I am so happy to hear that you got to come an see our wildlife and we would love to welcome you back soon.
Written 11 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Laura C
32 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Solo
Decided to splash out on the platinum tour and my god was it worth it.
Mainly due to Rachel and her incredible knowledge and love of animals. I ended up being the only one on the private tour and it wasn't for a second awkward.
Rachel is so knowledgeable and also super friendly.
I did so much, saw so much and learnt so much. She also took incredible photos. Cannot thank her enough for such an incredible day!
Mainly due to Rachel and her incredible knowledge and love of animals. I ended up being the only one on the private tour and it wasn't for a second awkward.
Rachel is so knowledgeable and also super friendly.
I did so much, saw so much and learnt so much. She also took incredible photos. Cannot thank her enough for such an incredible day!
Written 4 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there,
Thank you so much for your review!
I will most definitely let Rachael know about your lovely feedback, we really appreciate your kind words about our Education Team who are dedicated to showing people the wonders of our animals especially on our Platinum Tour.
As this is our premium tour, we are so happy to hear that you got great photos and will have great memories to look back on!
Written 6 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
bambi84x
Coatbridge, UK
Hi we have booked the boat to the sanctuary tomorrow but do we need to book seperate for the pictures with a koala?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Brisbane, Australia2 contributions
Hi there, koala hold photos can currently be purchased at our Main Koala Exhibit from 9.30am. They cost $25 per photo ticket. Quantities are strictly limited and availability may vary.
traveller087
England86 contributions
Will be in Brisbane 17th -20th Feb should it be ok to book trip by boat one day before and photo opportunity? Can I go to departure point and book for next day rather than online? Staying at Kangaroo point what is best way to boat departure place?
Likestomove
Plainland, Australia90 contributions
Not sure about transport via boat . Weather in few weeks could be very humid and bit wet but still very warm. We booked once we arrived but I believe you can book on line too
Hope you enjoy your stay in Brisbane
コアラの抱っこは開園時間内なら何時に行っても抱っこできるのでしょうか？？
２歳の娘と行く予定です。
カランビン動物園とローンパインで迷ってます。
大きすぎると周りきれないかなという思いと
せっかくいくならという気持ちもあります。
どちらがおすすめでしょうか？
Lal
東京4 contributions
私はローンパインにしか行っていませんが、コアラを「抱っこ」出来る時間は決まっていました。抱っこ終了時間後は、「触れる」時間帯になるようです。私は「抱っこ」出来た最後の一人で、とてもラッキーでした。多分ですが、抱っこできる時間は午前と午後、それぞれ2，3時間だと思います。この方のサイトがお役に立つと思います（「カランビンorローンパイン?数日内に両方行って比較してみた」で検索)。コアラメインであれば、ローンパインの方が良い様な気がします。本当に「鈴なり」にコアラがいるので、「抱っこ」列に並んでいる間も間近で見ることが出来ますし、最悪触ることは出来ると思います。
Sorry just something I wanted to raise...I’ve read on your website that koalas aren’t handled 2 days in a row...then I read on here that if handled for 2 days aren’t handled on the 3rd and then I just read in another comment that if they are handled for 3 days they aren’t handled for 4. So which is it? Also you say if they don’t want to participate they don’t have to...how do you know that they either do or don’t want to?
Indstrl
Los Angeles, CA166 contributions
I was just there and I was shown exactly how they handle the scheduling of the koalas. First off, they are very particular that if a particular quality is not into it he is not brought out. They track every koala who is used for photo shoots. The bottom line is no quality is used to days in a row and they are maxed out with a certain number of visitors per day per koala. And that max out is based on the background and experience of both the koala and the trainers perception of how the koala is interacting.This facility has so many koalas under their care that this should not be a concern of anybody
Roksta79
Ottawa, Canada73 contributions
We are planning to visit Lone Pine during the week in early January. How quickly do tickets for the hold a koala experience sell out? What are our chances of getting to hold a koala if we don't arrive first thing in the morning?
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Brisbane, Australia2 contributions
As January is a very busy time of year, we recommend coming close to our opening hour if you are looking to hold a koala, as spaces are limited. If you are looking to guarantee a spot we recommend checking out our premium wildlife experiences, which are detailed on our website and many include a koala experience.
Todd Poulson
Oklahoma City, OK
Is there an opportunity to pet the Wombats? I was at a reserve down near Sydney and they had this and it was very nice and I want to show this to my wife who was not there.
solotraveller57
London, UK75 contributions
I really don’t think so. There was a wombat enclosure but I didn’t even see one there. If it’s very important to you I suggest calling them.
I cant download my photo using the link on the bottom of my hard copy please let me know how I can obtain an image on line
NatalieJRad
Oldham, UK86 contributions
We got hard copies of the photos & pictures taken on our own camera. Sorry.
Chio Petilla
Marikina, Philippines6 contributions
Hi! We are from the Philippines and we will be staying in Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas on August 18-22 for a business trip. Me and all of my colleagues would want to see Australia's iconic animals in Lone Pine among others after reading a lot of reviews on different websites.
We are looking for the most affordable and convenient way to go there from Peppers. Can you suggest any, or do you have a private transport service and the like?
S K
Brisbane, Australia138 contributions
Hi, Noosa is a long drive to Lone Pine! If you are only wanting to go there, I’d suggest a hire car and drive yourself there & back. Otherwise, Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast is much closer to Noosa & has all of the same animals and many more. I cannot send you the web address as Trip Advisor won’t allow it but google ‘Australia Zoo’.
Good luck!
moniquersvp
New Orleans, LA371 contributions
What is the difference between booking the $150 koala experience versus waiting in line to hold the koala at no charge?
jim Clarke
Coventry, UK49 contributions
You can hold the koala.
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Claim your listingLone Pine Koala Sanctuary: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
- Hotels near Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary:
- (7.85 km) Emporium Hotel South Bank
- (9.05 km) 99 Kirkland Bed & Breakfast
- (11.31 km) Ovolo The Valley
- (7.77 km) Novotel Brisbane South Bank
- (9.35 km) The Inchcolm by Ovolo
- Restaurants near Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary:
- (0.64 km) Chatters Cafe
- (1.64 km) Goodness Gracious Cafe
- (7.76 km) Spice Central Kitchen and Bar
- (1.46 km) Three Girls Skipping
- (1.48 km) Il Viale
- Attractions near Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary:
- (0.58 km) Sherwood Arboretum
- (1.29 km) Rocks Riverside Park
- (8.11 km) South Bank Parklands
- (6.43 km) Fighter Pilot Adventure Flights
- (9.13 km) Fox In a Box Brisbane Escape Rooms