Review: Is Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Worth the Hype?

Are you thinking about visiting Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane and wondering if it’s worth it? As the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary, it’s a bucket-list stop for many first-time travellers to Australia and in this review I’ll share exactly what to expect.

You’ll find out if it’s worth the entry fee? Can you actually hold a koala? What’s there to do besides see wildlife?

After experiencing it first-hand, my review will cover the must-see animals, the best times to visit, and insider tips to help you decide if Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary deserves a spot on your Brisbane itinerary.

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My Overall Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Review!

After visiting the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary a few times, I think it’s the best Zoo in the region to display Australian Wildlife. While locals can bring their kids to learn (time and time again), I find it best suited for overseas tourists looking for a brilliant way to tick off their Aussie Wildlife bucket list.

With that said, I honestly think it’s better to see wildlife in the wild. So, if you have the opportunity to spend more time in the great outdoors, then there are better ways to see animals like this around the country.

➡  Find Entry Tickets HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator.

Would I go back again? Yes, but only to introduce first-timers to the park or after several years of new additions. However, If you need a visual, you can click the picture below and watch my video on You Tube here.

The park itself was Founded in 1927, and recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary. With nearly a century of history, Lone Pine has evolved from a humble refuge for just two koalas to an expansive sanctuary hosting over 130 marsupials.

It’s also played a pivotal role in koala conservation efforts, research, and public awareness.

My Pros and cons for visiting:

✅ Pros

• Affordability: It’s cheaper than major attractions like the Australia Zoo.
• Convenience –  Convenient location near Brisbane City,
• Diverse Wildlife: Home to a wide variety of animals, not just koalas,
• Educational Shows: Includes unique experiences like koala encounters, bird of prey demonstrations, and sheepdog performances, dingo talks and wild lorikeet feeding
• Family-Friendly: The sanctuary is designed to cater to all ages, making it an enjoyable day out for families.

❌ Cons

• Crowds: Since it’s close to Brisbane city, It can get quite busy, especially during weekends and holidays, which may affect your overall experience.
• Large Area: The vast size of the park can be overwhelming (18-hectare or 44 acre), especially for those with limited time or showing young children around.
• Extra Costs: Some activities cost more, such as photo’s with koalas, and nocturnal or platinum tours.
• Weather Dependent: While they say you can visit in the rain, I find some of the enclosures would be less enjoyable in poor weather conditions. But, they do have some areas sheltered from rain.
• Limited Dining Options: Food options within the sanctuary may be limited, which could be a drawback for some visitors.

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How much does it cost?

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Park tickets are:

• Adult tickets start at $59,
• a child for $42,
• A family of 5 is $180,

➡ Find Entry Tickets HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator.

There are student and pensioner discounts and they also have annual passes for those who want to visit as many times as they wish.

The Park is open daily, welcoming visitors from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. So, If you’re visiting Brisbane and just want to see some Australian animals, then the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary would be your cheapest and closest option.

But, do I think it’s worth the cost? To be honest, I felt the ticket prices were comparable to those of other parks in South East Queensland, plus you don’t have to travel the extra distance if staying in the Brisbane area.

What Animals can you see?

Shows or interactive experiences?

Don’t miss the Sheep Dog Show and the Free Flight Bird Show, which are definitely the crowd favourites.

The Sheep Dog Show provides an impressive display of the intelligence and agility of these working dogs as they herd sheep under the guidance of their skilled handlers.

Meanwhile, the Free-Flight Bird Show is a spectacular exhibition of the natural behaviours of Australia’s native birds, showcasing their beauty and grace as they soar through the sky.

I was lucky enough to be around the Tasmanian Devils when being fed and the brief talk from one of the rangers. They are pretty cute, but the sounds of them wanting food were interesting to hear.

Apart from that, there is also a really huge Kangaroo enclosure where you can feed and get close to the kangaroos. However, I would recommend doing this early in the morning so they are hungry and still easy to get a photo with.

Can you still hold a Koala?

One of the biggest drawcards for overseas tourists visiting Lone Pine was getting the opportunity to hold a koala and have your picture taken. While you can get close to the koalas, as of July 2024, they have cancelled the experience to hold them.

If you don’t want to cough up the extra money for personalised experiences, you have plenty of open-plan koala enclosures to see them up close to anyway (which means no glass enclosures).

However, know they aren’t the most active creatures and most the time just sitting in the fork of the trees sleeping.

But, you can occasionally see them moving around or eating, and it is even better when you find some with cute little babies. Plus, you can even get a sneak peek into the wildlife hospital.

➡  Book Entry Tickets HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator.

Featured Animals?

Surprisingly, 18 hectares is a reasonably big park, and my biggest tip would be to plan your day BEFORE you get there for the special shows, talks and exhibits. Apart from that, you can wander the paths to see some of the following:

• Koalas
• Kangaroos & wallabies
• Crocodiles lazing in the sun
• Platypuses
• The Tasmanian devils were fun to watch when being fed
• Dingoes are a bit quiet, but get them at the right time to hear them howling like a wolf.
• Various birds of prey
• Cockatoos can be entertaining, and you can try talking to them.
• Lorikeets are beautiful birds and common in this area of Australia
• I even saw a cassowary

Apart from that, there are other personal tours or encounters available with their platinum or nocturnal tours. Plus, getting close to other animals like Owls, sheepdogs, dingo’s, or Guinea pigs. In any case, if you want to take advantage of any of these, I do recommend booking in advance.  

Is there Food and Drinks available?

Truthfully, I found the Food and Drinks situation a little disappointing and lacked variety. You have a small café outside the park serving coffee and a few snacks, with lots of places to sit while waiting for friends to arrive.

There is another cafe inside the park, but I think I was too late for the lunch period, and they had already stopped serving. From what I saw, I expect if you have any special dietry requirements, then please bring your own.

How to get there?

The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is located on Jesmond Road (or at the end of Fig Tree Pocket Road). This takes about 20 to 30 minutes to drive from Brisbane’s CBD or other areas of the city.

There are a few different car parks (All free of Charge), but expecting this can get pretty full in busy times. So, take that into account when visiting on weekends or school holidays.

➡  Search Brisbane Accommodation HERE with Booking.com

My first option would always be to drive to Lone Pine.

This gives to the flexibility to visit when it’s opens and spend as little, or as much time as you want there. On the way from the CBD, It also allow you to visit other “must-do” Brisbane sites like the Mount Coot-tha Summit Lookout.

If you’re not driving your own car, then know a taxi or Uber would cost between $25 to $35 one way.

Apart from that, Mirimar Cruises leaves from the Cultural Pontoon near the activity central area of South Bank at 9am every morning (across from CBD). After an estimated 1-hour cruise down the Brisbane River, you get dropped off within walking distance of the park.

However, know that it leaves at 130pm to take you back to Southbank, which is essentially half a day in the zoo.

Additionally, you have Bus number 430 leaving from Queen Street Station, or bus number 445 leaving from Adelaide Street station at regular intervals if you plan on spending a longer time there. There is also a dedicated Bus Shelter pick-up and drop-off section at Lone Pine, right in front of the Zoo entrance.

Tip: Please click here for my Public Transport Video to help you understand the Brisbane Network and payments system.

FAQ’s – Common Questions?

How Much time do you need?

I think setting aside a whole day to walk around Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the best idea for a first-time visitor. But, if you’re quick to walk around and don’t visit all the talks and shows, then it is possible to see the zoo in half a day.

With that said, I think you should take your time, read up on the creatures and see as many live talks as possible. This will definitely enhance your experience, and know you’ve had your money’s worth for the entry cost.

How were the Staff?

Overall, I thought the staff and crew were very friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable when providing the talks or live shows. But, apart from the entry gate and shows, I really didn’t see many workers wandering around to chat or ask questions.

I’ve often seen staff wandering around with animals in other parks, but this is not something I witnessed at Lone Pine. Although, this could have something to do with me visiting in a low season period.  

Is it Accessible?

I’m not sure I find the park completely accessible to everyone. There are certainly enclosures or areas where people with wheelchairs can’t go or might have issues getting around.

With that said, they do have them for hire if you need.

However, the park is smaller than others in the areas, and I definitely felt less rushed to get around. Therefore, you can take more time getting from one animal to another.

Can you visit in the rain?

There are enclosed and covered areas throughout the park and, Yes, it is possible to see in the rain. Despite that, moving around the park would need a poncho or umbrella to stop you from getting soaking wet.

Not only that, there are some animals that will shy away from rainy conditions, and even some live talks could be cancelled. Therefore, If you have a choice, then I would definitely pick a sunny day over a rainy one.

My Best Tips for Visiting

To make the most of your visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, consider these tips:

1. Arrive Early: Feed the kangaroos in the morning when they are most likely to be hungry, with less crowds and also not the hottest part of the day.
2. Purchase Tickets Online: Buying tickets in advance online can save you time in long ques, especially if you visiting in School holidays.
3. Plan Your Day: Check the scheduled times for shows and interactive sessions on the sanctuary’s website before you go. Planning your day around these activities will ensure you don’t miss any of the exciting demonstrations and feeding times.
4. Wear Comfortable Clothing: comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are essential, especially if you’re planning for the whole day – Don’t forget a hat and sunscreen, especially during the warmer months.
5. Bring a Camera: Consider bringing a camera with a good zoom lens to capture animals that might be further away.
6. Pack Water and Snacks: While there are food and drink outlets on-site, carrying a refillable water bottle and some snacks will help,
7. Respect the Animals: Always follow the sanctuary’s rules regarding animal interactions. Be gentle and calm during encounters, and never feed the animals unless explicitly instructed by the staff.

Other Zoo’s in South East Queensland

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is your closest and cheapest park if you’re staying in Brisbane. But it’s not the only wildlife park or zoo available to work into your itinerary.

Apart from the Australia Zoo mentioned above (1h 10m from Brisbane CBD), there are two other parks available in South East Queensland area:

• Wildlife HQ Zoo near the Big Pineapple (1h20m from Brisbane CBD)
• Read my Currumbin Wildlife Zoo review on the Gold Coast. (1h10m from Brisbane CBD)

They each have pros and cons, and I’ve enjoyed walking around all of them. However, I’m mentioning them in case you are after specific animals, including if you’re not staying in Brisbane and one of the others are a closer option.

Is it better than Australia Zoo?

In comparison, I reviewed Australia Zoo and it is a lot bigger than the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (280 hectares, compared to 18 hectares, respectively). While most people think the focus is on saltwater Crocodiles, this massive space offers a variety of animal exhibits from around the world, with a higher price coming with it.

However, I think Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary focuses on showcasing Australia’s unique and iconic wildlife. This makes it sufficient for those who primarily wish to see Australian gems and highlights.

Therefore, my choice between them would be based on what animal you want to see, the personal encounters you want, which one is closer to get to, or ultimately comes down to what you can afford.

Wrap up!

After reading my review, I hope you concluded that the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is worth visiting. Not only for its Australian wildlife but also its close location to the Brisbane CBD.

However, if you’re still in research mode on the area, please check out my other Brisbane features for planning and inspiration.

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