Fact: Koalas are as sleepy, slow, and cuddly as you’ve imagined 🥹 And if you’ve ever dreamed of hanging out with them ethically, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, Australia, is the place to do it! As the world’s largest and oldest koala sanctuary, it’s definitely a bucket-list destination for animal lovers. I spent a great day there, but there a few things I really wish we’d known before we went. Things that took away from the experience that were totally in my control with the right preparation! So here it is- a 2025 Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary review, my best know-before-you-go tips, and our experience petting a koala!
What’s So Special About Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary?
Lone Pine isn’t a zoo—it’s a conservation-focused sanctuary where you can see native Australian wildlife up close. Besides the 100+ koalas (!!!), there are also kangaroos (which you can feed and pet in a free-roaming area if you pay for a bit of food!), wombats, Tasmanian devils, and even a platypus. The whole place is designed to feel like an open-air, natural habitat, making it a much better experience than your typical zoo.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Essential Tips
- Wear bug spray – This is Australia, and the mozzies (Australia speak for mosquitoes) are relentless, especially near the river. Trust me, you don’t want to be swatting bugs while trying to convince a kangaroo to eat from your hand. We didn’t wear or bring bug spray and could FEEL them biting. Bugs alone almost drove us to leave early, and nothing but the allure of petting a koala would have been strong enough to keep me there getting bitten.
- Bring a sun hat & sunscreen – Brisbane is sunny year-round, and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is 95% outdoor and a lot of walking. Unless you want to leave looking like a lobster, protect your skin.
- Carry a water bottle – There are refill stations around the park, and you’ll definitely need to stay hydrated. We left America in the winter for hot, sunny Brisbane and weren’t at all prepared to walk around like it was summer.
- Beware of birds in the picnic area – There are a lot of free roaming birds and iguana-like lizards running around the walking paths in the park. The birds are pretty pesky and insistent around the picnic area, so fair warning not to feed any of them. If you have someone in your who’s group afraid of birds, you may want to skip an in park snack.
FAQs about visiting Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in 2025
Can you still hold a koala at Lone Pine?
Short answer: No, not anymore. Lone Pine used to allow koala cuddling, but due to stricter welfare laws and the sanctuary’s commitment to animal well-being, you can’t hold one anymore. But don’t worry—you can still get super close!
We did the Koala Moment experience, where you stand right next to a koala in a tree and pet them while a keeper chats with you about them and their care. You can gently touch its back, take pictures, and enjoy the kaol-ity time (sorry, I had to 😅). It’s less than 5 minutes with the koala, but meeting Pretzel up close was a dream come true! The Koala Moment was $35 per person. We booked this about an hour before the time slot started, so I don’t think there’s any need to book ahead of time.
They also offer a longer, more intimate encounter, the Koala Close Up. With this experience you get a behind-the-scenes look at their care routines and get to spend more quality time touching the koala. It’s only offered 4 times a day and costs $80 per person, so if it’s important to you, I recommend booking it ahead!
How much does it cost to enter Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary?
In 2025, ticket prices are:
- Adults: $54 AUD
- Children (3-13 years): $39 AUD
- Students & Seniors: $43 AUD
- Families (2 adults + 2 kids): $166 AUD
You can book tickets online in advance, which I recommend during weekends and holidays.
How long do you need at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary?
I’d say 3 hours is the sweet spot. That gives you enough time to see the koalas, feed the kangaroos, catch a few wildlife presentations, and explore without feeling rushed. If you’re an animal lover (or just really obsessed with koalas), you could easily spend a whole day here.
How do you get to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary?
Lone Pine is about 12 km (7.5 miles) from Brisbane’s city center, and there are a few ways to get there:
- By car: There’s free parking at the sanctuary if you’re driving. We Ubered from central Brisbane and it was about $25 USD each way, so I don’t recommend it if you can avoid it!
- By bus: The 430 and 445 buses from the city take about 40 minutes.
- By boat: This is the coolest option. The Mirimar Cruise departs from the Brisbane River and takes you straight to Lone Pine while offering scenic views along the way.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is hands-down one of the best places in Australia to see native wildlife up close. Even though you can’t hold a koala anymore, the experience is still 100% worth it. If you love animals (and let’s be real, who doesn’t?), put this on your must-visit list when in Brisbane!
Have you been to Lone Pine? Do you agree with this Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary review? Let me know in the comments! And if you’re looking for more bucket list nature and adventure travel ideas like this Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary review, check out some of my favorite experiences:
- I spent 4 days on a jungle river safari in Borneo. You won’t BELIEVE what I saw (BEST Borneo travel guide!)
- I went thresher shark diving in Malapascua, Philippines (MUST-HAVE GUIDE: when to go, dive center review, dive sites, etc!)
- Complete guide to visiting Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon in Iceland and taking a zodiac boat!
- ULTIMATE GUIDE to hot air balloons in Cappadocia, Turkey
LEAVE A COMMENT