Reviews for Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

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2675 reviews

5 star

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336

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1 star

Tino Richter, Local GuideGoogle

5.0

Apr 19, 2025

World’s Oldest Koala Sanctuary – An Inspiring and Educational Wildlife Experience! Our visit to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary was deeply enriching and unforgettable. As the largest and oldest koala sanctuary in the world, Lone Pine is a must-visit for anyone passionate about wildlife, conservation, and learning more about these beautiful Australian creatures. With over 100 koalas and a wide range of other native animals, this sanctuary is a true gem just outside of Brisbane. Our Koala Encounter We had the pleasure of participating in a very informative and respectful koala experience led by Nadia, our exceptional guide. She took the time to walk us through the types of eucalyptus leaves, letting us smell and compare the different flavors the koalas prefer. We were fascinated to learn how eucalyptus is harvested and sorted to match the koalas’ diets and moods. Nadia also explained the crucial role of bats, especially flying foxes, in transporting the pollen of eucalyptus blossoms from tree to tree by drinking their nectar – something most people overlook but is essential to koala habitat sustainability. During our session, we met Spike and Ranger, two absolutely charming koalas we were able to observe closely. Though you don't hold or pet the koalas in this encounter, standing beside them and witnessing their behavior is already an incredible privilege. Later, we had a photo session with Mallon, guided by his dedicated keeper Erin, with Nadia supporting us throughout the experience. The love and care from the staff toward the animals were evident in every step. It’s important to highlight: these are wild animals, not pets. Interactions are respectful, ethical, and in line with the animals’ comfort. Even though they’re soft and adorable, the experience is focused on learning, understanding, and appreciating them without needing physical contact – and that’s exactly how it should be. Wildlife Beyond Koalas Lone Pine is home to many other native animals, and the sanctuary is much larger than we expected! Some of the highlights include: A large kangaroo reserve where you can walk among and feed the roos Emus, wombats, dingoes, and even a platypus enclosure Reptile and bird sections, including parrots, cockatoos, and birds of prey A bat aviary, which connects perfectly to the pollination theme we learned about Several educational shows and keeper talks throughout the day Every enclosure is spacious and well-maintained, with plenty of information provided both through signage and the knowledgeable staff. Practical Info & Recommendations Our guided tour and animal encounter lasted about 3 hours, but you can easily spend a full day exploring everything the sanctuary has to offer. There's a café and gift shop on-site with snacks, souvenirs, and great koala-themed merchandise. Paths are accessible and well-marked – suitable for families, couples, or solo travelers. We recommend arriving early to get the most out of your day, and if you're booking any encounters or photo sessions, reserve them online in advance as they fill up quickly! Final Thoughts Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is more than a tourist stop – it’s a sanctuary in the true sense of the word, dedicated to conservation, education, and the respectful treatment of native Australian wildlife. We left inspired, better informed, and with memories that will stay with us forever. Thank you, Lone Pine, and special thanks to Nadia and Erin for making our visit so meaningful. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Brisbane! 5 stars – truly a world-class sanctuary!