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 probably #1 on your list of places to do it.
It’s the world’s largest and oldest koala sanctuary, 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: my Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary review, know-before-you-go tips, and our experience petting a koala!
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.
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!
In 2025, ticket prices are:
You can book tickets online in advance, which I recommend during weekends and holidays.
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.
Lone Pine is about 12 km (7.5 miles) from Brisbane’s city center, and there are a few ways to get there:
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:
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