When I lived in Australia, it seemed like everyone back home was always asking me about the animals! Australia is known for its adorable marsupials: kangaroos, koalas, and Tasmanian devils, to name a few.

Throughout greater Brisbane, it’s very possible to see these animals in the wild. If you’d rather not try your luck, wildlife zoos and sanctuaries are a fun way for locals and tourists of any age to learn about and experience these cuddly creatures up close.

Getting to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is located in Fig Tree Pocket, a suburb of Brisbane city — easily accessible via public transit or personal car. It only took us about 20 minutes by car from the city center. This habitat, nestled in a natural setting has a huge selection of Australian wildlife to see. Not only that, you can even feed kangaroos and “cuddle” a koala if you wish!

What to Do at Lone Pine

1. Catch an educational talk. As soon as you enter the sanctuary grounds, the friendly staff will greet you and ensure you have access to any maps and information you may need. All throughout the day, knowledgable wildlife experts provide educational talks where you can get up close with snakes, platypus, a variety of birds, even dingos! It’s really fun to learn about all the animals and see just why they are so special to Australia and the whole world.
2. Stop in for a bite at the canteen. Just in case you forget to pack your lunch, grab a snack inside. You will probably want to take advantage of the aircon on a hot day! It’s also worth taking a look at the famous wall of celebrities who have come to cuddle a koala over the years!
3. Feed the kangaroos. This has to be one of the coolest experiences! For $2 you can purchase “Roo Feed,” but whether or not you do, you definitely don’t want to pass up the kangaroo yard. Being aware of your surroundings is especially important here as there are emus and kangaroos all around. You can feed, pet and of course, take selfies with the roos who seem to be calm, cool, and collected.
4. Cuddle a koala. This is the reason many tourists come to the sanctuary: to get that coveted photo holding a koala! The koalas at Lone Pine are very well cared for, and Australians take pride in how they protect their wildlife. Therefore, the process for a photo with the koala, while super friendly, is closely monitored out of respect for these little guys. They maintain strict schedules so that the koalas get enough alone time and stay healthy and happy.
5. Visit the exotic birds, dingos, Tasmanian devils and more! Don’t be confused by its namesake. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is home to many species of Australian-native animals.

Why Go to Lone Pine?

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is a perfect daytime getaway for locals and tourists alike. The park is accessible and friendly for children as well. Whether this is your first time in the Brisbane area, or you just need to take a break from busy city life, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary will help you fall in love with Australia’s unique and special wildlife!