Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary opened in 1927 on the banks of the Brisbane River at Fig Tree Pocket, about 12 kilometres from the city centre. It was founded by Claude Reid to shelter sick, injured and orphaned koalas at a time when they were hunted for their fur, and it began with just two koalas named Jack and Jill. The name comes from a single hoop pine planted by the Clarksons, the first owners of the land. It describes itself as the oldest and largest koala sanctuary in the world.

The sanctuary now houses more than 100 koalas, along with dozens of other native species, across about 18 hectares that include a large kangaroo reserve. A programme of talks and shows runs through the day; check the schedule on arrival and plan your route around the sessions you want to see. Paid extras include koala experiences, hands-on wildlife encounters, behind-the-scenes and nocturnal tours, and keeper programmes for children and teenagers. Note that holding koalas for photographs ended in July 2024, so encounters are now about seeing them up close rather than cuddling them.

Lone Pine opens from 9am to 5pm every day, including public holidays, with shorter hours on Anzac Day and Christmas Day. Last entry is at 4pm, and the sanctuary recommends arriving early. A day pass is needed for entry, and add-on experiences do not include admission. There are cafes and a gift shop on site.

With about 80 Australian species on one site, it suits families, first-time visitors to Australia and anyone with limited time. Allow at least half a day to fit in the talks and any experiences you book. The Brisbane Koala Science Institute opened at the sanctuary in 2018, and Lone Pine was named a Q150 Icon of Queensland in 2009.

There are three practical ways to get there. Drivers can use the free on-site car park. Brisbane City Council buses run from the city: route 430 from Ann Street and route 445 from Wickham Terrace. The most scenic option is the 75-minute river cruise run by Koala and River Cruises, which departs the Cultural Centre pontoon at South Bank in the morning and returns in the afternoon. CityCat ferries do not go to the sanctuary.