If you're in Brisbane and are keen to cuddle a koala, feed the kangaroos and see other Australian critters, you couldn't do much better than Lone Pine. For the AUS$35 entry fee you will see dozens of koalas and native creatures including flying foxes, birds, platupuses, Tasmanian devils, wombats, dingos, kangaroos, wallabies, emus and crocodiles. For an extra AUS$18 you can cuddle a koala (albeit for a short time) and have a professional photo taken - they also allow your friends/family to take photos with your own camera. I couldn't stop smiling all afternoon! The park is lovely and natural, and you really get a sense that the animals are well cared-for. This definitely feels like a conservation centre first and foremost, rather than a commercialised zoo. It's fantastic to be able to get so close to the animals, and it feels like really good value for money. Definitely glad I visited! read more

By far the best animal experience I had in the past few years! It is a little out of the way from the city, but fortunately we had a rental car and drove right in. The place is not big, but it's has all the Australian animals: koala, kangaroo, platypus, wallaby, etc. They have an animal show happening every 30 mins that was very interesting. The most interesting was the free flight raptors show where they let the birds fly free sometimes only inches above your head (don't make sudden moves, please!). And of course, the highlight for me was taking picture with a koala. The cost starts at $18 and you get to hold the koala for a minute (no petting) and they print out an 8x10" and send you the digital copy. In addition, they will also take pictures with your own phone/camera. When we were there, they did have a 30 min period where you can pet the koala (and presumably take pictures) without paying the fee. Kangaroo feeding was fun too, you can buy the feed at the store for $2 and that will last you way longer than needed - the kangaroos are all overfed, seems like :) This is definitely a MUST go place when visiting Brisbane. read more

Quintessential Australian animal adventure! If you're into koalas, birds, kangaroos, or pretty much any Australian animal, you have to make a stop at this sanctuary. It's a bit far from city center but easy to get to by bus (just use Google Maps). The admissions is cheaper if you have a student ID as well. Inside, you'll be able to look at koalas slowly chewing on eucalyptus leaves or if you want, you can pay about $20 to hold one and get a photo. My favorite part was the feeding area though - it's a huge grassy field where you can feed kangaroos and emus. So many selfie opportunities! :P read more

A perfect trip from start to finish. Be sure to do the Koala photos! The park is easy to explore with lots of animals to interact with.

Had a great time at the sanctuary where I got really close to kangaroos and carried koalas! Definitely a memorable experience !!

This zoo has a fantastic array of Aussie wildlife. I especially enjoyed how the koalas are separated based on their life phase. The retired ones get their own community, so you get to watch them forget that they were eating and fall asleep. I know, I'm easily entertained. The bachelor pad koalas were also entertaining, as one male kept making grunting noises (I guess he was looking for some action). The kangaroos were so incredibly used to people that you could walk right up to some and pet/feed them. One ate right from my hand. Just be careful walking on the grass to get to the kangaroos...lots of roo poo everywhere. You might end up bringing back a smelly souvenir on your shoes if you're not careful! There are so many animal exhibits to gawk at that you have to reserve a good few hours to really appreciate it all. Definitely check out the wombats, who sometimes like to run away from your photo attempts. There are also birds that talk, platypus, reptiles, and dingoes. You might find a reptile just sitting on a bench like a human. He just wants to chill like the rest of us. It's expensive (I believe $35 per adult), but totally worth it. This is a great place to take young children, but also a great place for the child-like spirit in all of us. read more

My husband and I went to AU/NZ for our honeymoon, and one my bucket list items in Australia was to hold a koala. After looking up a few places, we decided to book a Platinum Tour at Lone Pine Koala. It was our honeymoon, so why not? Short review: totally worth it!!! Even if we didn't have the Platinum Tour, I would still recommend visiting. We were able to see a bunch of Australian wildlife, like kangaroos, koalas, emus, cassowaries, tasmanian devils, platypus, the dangerous snakes, a bunch of different birds, wombats, dingoes, and there's probably a bunch I missed in that list. With the Platinum VIP tour, we were taken around the whole facilities with a private tour guide the whole entire time. It also included a nice lunch they set out for us, tea, backstage tours where regular visitors don't get to go, and photo ops with a bunch of the animals. Holding a koala was definitely a really cool experience, they were not exactly what I was expecting. The kangaroo enclosure was pretty amazing too. You just walk into this huge enclosure, and all the kangaroos are super friendly. They will come up to you if you have food, and let you touch/pet them. You can spend as much time as you want in there. They also have assorted shows that you can go to. I went to both the bird show and the sheep dog/sheep shearing show, both of which were super cool. As part of the VIP tour, we were also able to hold a giant snake, hold the birds after the bird show, walk the dingoes, feed the platypus, and help feed the tasmanian devils. The guide took us to see Daisy the golden possum. Because she is nocturnal, she was sleeping, but the guide went in and enticed her out with a piece of broccoli! Unlike American possums, Australian golden possums are the cutest things ever. The whole Lone Pine experience was very interactive and tons of fun, our tour guide was very informative and we learned lots about Australian wildlife. At the end of the day, we were given a cute reusable goodie bag each (similar to those reusable shopping bags) with our choice of a free tshirt from the gift store and a koala USB keychain. I don't think I'd be revisiting Australia for a while, but it was definitely a memorable experience. read more

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As a teenager, I thought feeding Kangaroos was just a gimmicky tourist trap, cuddling a koala was just asking to be pooped on and all Australian animals were boring and stupid compared to the wild exotic beasts of Africa and the Amazons. Well, I've changed my tune since my surly, teenage years and I can't thank Lone Pine Sanctuary enough for the hours, days and weeks of accumulated family entertainment. Any parents with young children should consider getting an annual pass for around $60. The kids won't tire of this zoo what with the daily bird shows, kangaroo feeding and snake holding sessions. I admit I'm freaked out by birds so you won't catch me volunteering to help out during the bird show but when I'm not cowering behind my two year old nephew, I'm in awe of the majestic beauty of the Wedge tail eagle, white belly sea eagle and barn owls. Also, there's a lovely cafe overlooking the river outside the sanctuary and you don't need to pay for admission to the zoo if you just want to visit the cafe. Lone Pine Sanctuary is primarily a koala sanctuary with enclosures for a wide range of Australian animals and birds. Allow two to three hours to explore the place thoroughly. read more

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I just read Huong D's review below and literally LOL'd!! Exaggerating much?? There were at most 30 koalas and maybe 25 kangaroos haha! You must've walked around the park twice, Huong! But totally amazing time! I came just to see the koalas and maybe cuddle with one of them but when I came across the kangaroo exhibit... #mindblown! It was absolutely free and there was no one directing you where to go. You were as free as those kangaroos to roam around within the fenced area and do as you please. Pick up some snacks to feed the kangaroos at the general store. It's only 50 cents for a little bag. The kangaroos will be more likely to pose for the obligatory kangaroo selfie if you have some snacks. Oh and watch out for the male kangaroos (bucks), they're much bigger than the female and joeys... They'll bite if you get too close!!!! But aside from the two K's... You'll also see wombats, dingos, tasmanian devils, flying fox, platypus, cockatoos, reptiles and more!!! Totally worth the $33 admission fee!!!! read more

I have to agree with the rest of the reviews. In July of 2011, while visiting my cousin in Brisbane, she took me and my 2 kids to Lone Pine, and it was a great trip. Coming from half way around the world, I didn't know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised. At 1st I didn't think we could manage a whole day at Lone Pine, after all my kids were aged 15 and 18, but we were pretty busy from beginning to end. 1st we saw the platypus exhibit, then played with the kangaroo's in their enclosure. Saw the birds of Australia show, where the sea eagle decided to go sit in a tree instead of participate. The sheep herding show followed by the sheep shearing isn't to be missed. Sheep herding isn't a particularly popular activity in Eastern US, so it was pretty unique to watch. The dogs really work hard. Towards the end of the day we managed to get back to the Koala pens so we could all cuddle with them. The fee's for holding them include a nice picture, so make sure you don't miss picking up your souvenir afterward. There was even a lorikeet feeding, which is something you don't get in Philadelphia. Pigeons aren't nearly as interesting. On the way our of the park, I had to ask one of the workers what the interesting smell was. It wasn't unpleasent and had a floral/citrus scent. At first I though it was some kind of indigenous flower, but as it turned out, it was koala urine. You really can learn stuff at zoos. read more

Awesome!!! Photos holding Koala's are way cool to do. Also feed and chill with the Kangaroos. Totally fun time worth the 33.00 admission. If you live around here just buy the yearly pass, it pays for itself in two trips. Great time. read more

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary - Zoos Near Me - Fig Tree Pocket, QLD

I have an annual pass (for 2 years now). This place is the perfect place to take visiting tourists - feeding kangaroos is always a hit. Get here first thing in the morning when the roos are hungry!! read more

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Famous for its 'koala hugs', this Brisbane institution is one of the few places you can have your photo snapped while you cuddle one of Australia's iconic marsupials. The practice of handling koalas is actually illegal in NSW, which is probably why so many famous people have been snapped canoodling with the furry animals, from Mikhail Gorbachev and Queen Elizabeth to Marilyn Manson and Daft Punk (complete with their trademark helmets). From memory the cuddle photos will cost you around $16, and once you've paid for them the photographer will happily take some snaps with your own camera as well. Apart from that activity guests can also feed kangaroos, wild lorikeets or take in their sheepdog and/or birds of prey show. You can actually catch a boat to the sanctuary, a privately run vessel run by Mirimar Cruises. The Brisbane City Council's ferries and Citycats DON'T run services there. If you want to make a day of it you can pack a lunch and enjoy it at their really nice picnic spot outside the entrance. There's also a coffee stand out there if you need a little pick-me-up. read more

Good for a few hours of fun. Koalas are cute and photogenic, and the pictures they allow you to purchase while holding them are professional quality. The kangaroo petting zoo portion is also fun. Very easy to find a kangaroo to hang out with. Other than that the place is a normal zoo. It does also have WiFi throughout read more

O man, I remember being so excited when I first touched a Koala and the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the place where I first got to do that. It does more than offer "Koala Hugs" though, at Lone Pine you get a nice peak of many native Australian animals such as Wallabies, Kangaroos, Possums, Tasmanian Devils and a bunch of birds. You can easily spend an entire day there as it is much larger than you would initially imagine it to be. Considering this place is only a 20 minutes drive, it is in a very good location to experience Australian Wildlife. The Sanctuary is also very well maintained and tourist friendly, there are signposts and posters everywhere explaining things little facts about the animals and greenery. You do not have to be a tourist to come here either, Lone Pine is an excellent way for Australians to experience their own country's wildlife. read more

One of the highlights of the trip. I never imagined I'd get the chance to feed a Kangaroo or pet an Emu. The kangaroos are free to roam and the staff appear to take great care of them. Great experience and wonderful memory of Australia! read more

I like animals. Hence, I like places that keep animals. I like places that keep animals but let people touch them and interact with them more. Lone Pine was once the place where everyone went to get their koala cuddle, feed their boxing kangaroo and see the Australian flora and fauna at its very best. Unfortunately I think over the years the sanctuary has seen its wear and tear. I still love going here, but the prices seem a bit expensive (so do most places) and for the same habitat and services, you would want to experience a whole lot more. I mean even Dreamworld has more rides right? The staff here obviously love the animals, and the presentations and shows are very educational, the kids love it. Not too sure I like it as much as I used to like it though. It's still a fantastic place to visit. read more

Go there! This is a must-do in Brisbane. Just a 40 min bus ride from the city center, you can pet kangaroos for 36$. The crew is nice, helpful and has a lot of talks/shows about the animals. They also offer outdoor cinema and other events. Best of all is not the feeding of tasmanian devils or the photo with the koala. It is the free range kangaroos. Jumping around, eating animal food out of your hands and posing for your photos. We just had 1 day in this area, and it was well spent. read more

This is amazing place to come and see animals close-up! I got to hold a koala and feed a kangaroo! Overall the sanctuary is a very manageable size and easy to walk around. If you don't see all the free animal shows then it probably only takes about 3/4 hours to see everything. read more

The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is beloved of tourists and locals alike for its nature and family friendly environment. It's been around for longer than most of our grandparents and is an integral part of Brisbane's heritage. There's heaps more than Koala's here, one of my favourite activities is the sheep dog trials held 3 times per day. These dogs are CLEVER and kids in particular seemed to love watching them whisk the sheep around the paddock. There's also lots of other native animals and of course lorikeet feeding (YAY! Unless you're a parent that has to wash out lorikeet poo). Everybody should go here at least once, and if you have kids in your life (or visitors from Japan) you should go more than once. Particularly if you have kids. I think it's really important to get them in the habit of not expecting every family outing to require roller coasters or stacks of cash, so the earlier you get them having fun outdoors the easier (and cheaper) it'll be in the long run. read more

Absolutely fantastic! The wildlife was amazing, quite a lot of the animals they have there seem to be either recovering or have recovered from injuries but can't be reintroduced into the wild. The keepers know what they're talking about and are super awesome to talk to. It's in a more natural setting and doesn't have that theme park feel like some places. I really enjoyed learning about all the animals and watching the dogs herd the sheep was pretty cool too! Really awesome place definitely worth the money and so close to the city! read more

Very nice sanctuary with healthy, happy koalas. They really take care of them and make sure not too much cuddling happens for their health and well-being. It was a once in a lifetime experience for me to hold a baby koala for a picture. It was rushed but moments in time are and I would gladly visit Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary again. read more

I love this place! Feeding the lori parrots was sooo much fun. The birds of prey show is very interesting and exciting when they flew right over our heads. Just amazing. I have to say I love the wombats the most. read more

This place is awesome!! If you're not from Australia, going here is better than going to Australia Zoo or any other normal zoo because they only have the Aussie animals here...the ones you came to see in the wild but didn't end up getting to :) Actually, even having seen koalas, kangaroos, and wallabies in the wild, I still think the sanctuary is awesome, because you can get really close to the animals, and even hang out with the kangaroos. Plus koalas in the wild are almost always sleeping, so if you want to see one awake, your best bet is to come here. I highly recommend two things: first is the koala presentation, even if you're not into presentations, because it's interesting, not that long, and in the end they bring out a koala that you can pet and take photos with, for free, instead of paying $16 for it. The second is buying some kangaroo feed from the gift shop ($2) and planning for at least 30 minutes in the kangaroo reserve because these kangaroos are super friendly! This was almost more fun than the koalas themselves. If you go on a weekday, it's quite empty and is a nice relaxed stroll around the park with no one ever getting in your way. I would say 2.5 - 4 hours is enough time at the park, but going after 1:30pm felt a bit too rushed to catch all the presentations we wanted to. I think around noon would be a good time to get there. The one thing I didn't really enjoy at the sanctuary was paying $16 to take a photo holding a koala. You don't exactly get to cuddle with the koala, you have to stay still in a somewhat awkward position. That said, I still have the photo sitting on my desk...it just wasn't as awesome of an experience as I was expecting. My only regret is not buying the annual pass on my first visit...going twice in a year is the same cost as the annual pass plus you get 20% off purchases in the park. read more

An exciting tour it was. We are from Fiji and our children got to see Kangaroos and koalas and other animals that were always seen through television, we all enjoyed the sight seeing and now we can say that weve been to Brisbane Australia. Thank You Lone Park Koala Sanctuary for a great and exciting experience. read more

Great place not so far from Brisbane. I love this place, small enough to walk around comfortably and you can cuddle the koala, feed the kangaroo and see many wild lives. read more

Any place that let's me cuddle with a koala and feed kangaroos gets a five star in my book. They both were just SO cute!

We had some friends from overseas visit recently and so naturally we took them to one of the coolest koala sanctuaries in Australia. It has been around since 1927, making this the worlds first and largest koala sanctuary and Australia's "oldest and finest". When I was a kid and used to live in Perth, I remember visiting Brisbane and family friends taking me here as part of my holiday. It was such a fun experience as a kid. I remember all the koala cuddling, the feeding of the animals, watching the animal shows and learning interactively about Australian wildlife. The people who work there are very nice and genuinely love animals. They have a passion for sharing their knowledge and animal wisdom with all the visitors. It's a great place for tourists to visit and a fun learning opportunity for young children. Also good to know that it's almost half the price for admission here compared to the big zoo's in Australia! read more

Still more of a zoo than a sanctuary, but a very enjoyable experience nonetheless. Some tips: Buy a ticket online (Can be redeemed at any point) and if you're a student you can get a concession rate (if you show student ID at the door), which will save you a few dollars. The highlight is of course seeing the Ozzie animals - koalas, kangaroos, emu, and brilliantly colored birds. There are a few curated shows about specific animals that are informative for all ages, especially if you know little about Australia. Parking is easy, wifi is abundant and quick enough for Australia, and you can easily spend half a day even if you don't have kids. Don't feel compelled to pay for the koala or kangaroo feeding, as you can still get very close to either. read more

Nothing special about Lone Pine. Not sure why the ratings are so high. It is also not a bad place at all, but there is nothing that impressive or amazing about it. There are lots of enclosures and you might see some animals (my guess is it depends on the time of day). The animals seem to be relatively well-taken care of, but compared to Bonorong in Tassie, I would say that Lone Pine has a LONGGG way to go! The area where folks can hold a koala was incredibly commercial and felt uber- for-profit. It made us completely interested in holding a koala after watching folks receive marching orders from staff members about what to do and by viewing the line of folks interested in koala-holding. It seemed more like sitting in Santa's lap vs. having a meaningful experience. I would try another avenue for becoming more familiar with the wonderful diversity of Australian animals... read more

Emus and kangas and koalas, Oh My! Lone Pine is a terrific place to see Australia's wildlife up close and personal. Admission will give you the opportunity to skip and play with a mob of kangaroos all day, if you so desire, but take the time to squeeze in koala hugs, possums, wild lorikeet feeding and a real life, honest to goodness sheep dog show and sheep shearing (really, you'll be amazed by the doggies!). A perfect weekend outing! read more

I held a koala, petted a kangaroo, and had an owl fly right over my head. It was magical.

This place has soo much potential. It needs some form of entertainment apart from animals.

This is a waste of time, money and energy. Please don't go here there are so many other better places. This place is cheap and you can see why! There aren't many animals and the ones that are there are obviously stressed! That koala pic you are going for well you can forget it, they have set times and a limited amount of places each time. We tried twice to get a photo and both times were unsuccessful. The second time we were in the line at 2pm for the 2:30 session and were 26th in line, surely you can take 26 photos and if you can't well you obviously don't have the right conditions to do the photos at all. You should be able to book online to secure your photos or they should at least tell you how many places per session they have. There cafe should be closed down because of the very unsanitary conditions. There were bush turkeys jumping on the tables and being Aggressive towards patrons. The high light for the day was the sheep dog show. All in all if you want the koala pic and to see all the Australian animals Australia zoo or Currumbin wildlife sanctuary is your best bet. read more

I came for the Koalas, but I fell in love with the Kangaroos. It was great interacting with all the animals. The staff was really nice, and the price was reasonable. I took the bus here, which wasn't too bad but took about 40 minutes. read more

This is the second time I went to lone Pine and enjoyed it as much if not more than the first time. The place is extremely clean and the animals seem to be very well taken care of and happy. Definitely recommend. read more

Amazing! The main highlights were seeing the baby koalas & seeing so many beautiful and healthy looking animals!

This place was a must for me on my visit to OZ as I love Koalas and is one of the few places you can hold one. There are losts of other animals aswell though to see. A must for visitors local and and from far away like me, I always have to get my aussie wildlife fix when I visit OZ and will definately visit again next time i'm in Brisbane!! read more

I have an annual pass. My son loves to see all the animals, especially the kangaroos!

We buy yearly membership and can take the kids for free any time during the year.