Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is a riverside wildlife sanctuary at Fig Tree Pocket, about 13 km by road from the Brisbane CBD, with more than 100 koalas, free-roaming kangaroos you can feed and a daily program of free shows. It opened in 1927 and calls itself the world’s oldest and largest koala sanctuary.
Most people drive, but you can also arrive by boat from South Bank, which turns the trip into a full outing. The sanctuary is open every day, and an adult day pass is about $63.
Seeing the koalas at Lone Pine
Koalas are the reason to come. There are more than 100 of them, along with more than 70 species of native wildlife across the grounds, so you can see them up close without having to look for them.
Koala holding ended on 1 July 2024, so you cannot be photographed cuddling one any more. The sanctuary replaced it with Koala Close-Up, a paid session focused on spending time near the koalas, and it still runs Koala Moments and the Koala Discovery Tour. All three are booked separately through the sanctuary’s website.
If you only want to see koalas and would rather not pay, Daisy Hill Koala Centre in Logan is free to enter.
Feeding the kangaroos and meeting other animals
The free-ranging kangaroos are the other big drawcard, and guests can hand-feed them. Wombats, dingoes, reptiles, birds including emus, and a platypus are on site too.
Other wildlife parks worth comparing are David Fleay Wildlife Park on the Gold Coast, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast.
Daily shows and talks
Your day pass includes the free shows and talks. The times listed on the sanctuary’s What’s On page are:
- Wild lorikeet feeding: 9:45 am and 3:45 pm
- Free flight raptor show: 10:30 am and 1 pm
- Sheep dog show: 11 am and 1:30 pm
- Koala talk: 11:30 am
- Croc talk: 12 pm
- Dingo talk: 2:45 pm
The raptor show may change or be cancelled in poor weather.
Night tours and the Nocturnal Precinct
After the day visitors leave, the sanctuary runs guided twilight and night tours of its Nocturnal Precinct, which has a one-kilometre accessible boardwalk and seven exhibit spaces for ten nocturnal species, including tree kangaroos, potoroos, pademelons, bandicoots and bettongs. Tours are for small groups (20 people when the precinct opened), thermal imaging cameras help you spot animals without torches, and bookings are essential.
Tickets and costs at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
- Adult (18 and over): about $63.
- Child (3 to 13): about $45. Children under 3 are free.
- Student (14 to 17) or senior (65 and over): about $50.
- Family (2 adults and up to 3 children): about $193. A mini family pass (1 adult and up to 3 children) is about $133.
- Carers with a Companion Card: free entry.
Koala Close-Up, Koala Moments, behind-the-scenes tours and the platypus experience cost extra. Book and check current prices on the sanctuary’s tickets page. Strollers and wheelchairs can be hired for about $6 each.
Facilities
- A cafe and a kiosk, plus a picnic area and lawns
- Toilets and a parents room
- A gift shop
- An interactive centre and an interpretive centre
- Free car parking, coach parking and an electric vehicle charging point
Is Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary dog friendly?
No. Pets are not allowed in the grounds. Assistance animals are welcome but need to be pre-booked for the sanctuary grounds. Public areas such as the cafe do not need arrangements.
Planning your visit
- How long: the river cruise package gives you about 3 hours 15 minutes in the sanctuary, which is a sensible amount of time to plan for if you are driving too.
- Best time: arrive at opening, 9 am, so you can catch the 9:45 am lorikeet feeding and the first shows. Last entry is 4 pm. Hours are shorter on Anzac Day (1:30 pm to 5 pm) and Christmas Day (9 am to 3 pm).
- Cost: about $63 adult and $45 child, with the shows included.
- What to bring: a hat, sunscreen and water. Much of the sanctuary is outdoors, though there is a cafe and kiosk if you would rather buy food.
- Accessibility: the sanctuary is wheelchair accessible, with accessible amenities, and suits people with walking frames or mobility aids. Some areas, such as the kangaroo reserves and unpaved paths, may not suit unassisted wheelchair use, and alternative routes are available. Wheelchairs can be hired, and booking ahead is recommended.
Getting there and parking
By car
The sanctuary is at 708 Jesmond Road, Fig Tree Pocket, about 13 km by road from the Brisbane CBD and about 20 minutes by car without traffic. Parking on site is free, including accessible spaces, coach parking and a drop-off zone.
By bus
Translink lists a stop called Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary at Lone Pine (stop 42, Fig Tree Pocket). The sanctuary names two Brisbane City Council routes, 430 from Ann Street and 445 from Wickham Terrace. Route 430 is the Fig Tree Pocket – City Express, an express service, so it does not run all day. Check the day and time on the Translink Journey Planner or call 13 12 30 before you leave.
By river cruise
Koala and River Cruises runs the MV Mirimar II from the Cultural Centre Pontoon on the Southbank Boardwalk. The trip takes 75 minutes each way. The boat leaves South Bank at 9 am and arrives at Lone Pine at 10:15 am. The return sailing leaves at 1:30 pm and gets back to South Bank at 2:45 pm, so you get about 3 hours 15 minutes at the sanctuary. It runs every day except Christmas Day and Anzac Day. A return cruise with entry is $138 and a one-way cruise with entry is $108. There are 28 stairs from the boat up to the entry gates. Bookings are on the Koala and River Cruises website.
More detail is on the sanctuary’s FAQ page. Details can change, so check before you go.
Nearby
- South Bank Parklands – where the river cruise leaves from, so easy to pair with a morning in the city.
- Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha – gardens and walks on the other side of the western suburbs.
- Mt Coot-tha Lookout – city views for the end of the day.
- Brisbane City Botanic Gardens – a free riverside garden near the CBD.
Browse more zoos and wildlife parks and things to do in Brisbane.
Quick answers
How much does Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary cost?
A day pass is about $63 for adults and about $45 for children aged 3 to 13. Children under 3 are free, and the free shows are included. Koala close-ups and tours cost extra.
What time does Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary open and close?
It is open 9 am to 5 pm every day, with last entry at 4 pm. Anzac Day hours are 1:30 pm to 5 pm and Christmas Day hours are 9 am to 3 pm.
Can you hold a koala at Lone Pine?
No. Koala holding ended on 1 July 2024. You can still get close to some koalas, and paid close-up koala experiences are available.
How do you get to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary from Brisbane city?
By car it is about 20 minutes. You can also take a Translink bus (check route 430 from Ann Street or 445 from Wickham Terrace), or the 75 minute river cruise from South Bank, which leaves at 9 am.
Is there parking at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary?
Yes, parking is free, with accessible spaces, coach parking and a drop-off zone.
Can I take my dog to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary?
No. Pets are not allowed in the grounds. Assistance animals need to be pre-booked.
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