Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
The world's oldest and largest koala sanctuary, opened in 1927, on the Brisbane River at Fig Tree Pocket.
Updated 18 October 2026
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Lone Pine opened in 1927 with two koalas, at a time when the animals were still being shot in large numbers for their fur, and it now holds well over a hundred, making it the oldest and largest koala sanctuary in the world. Queensland is one of the few places where holding a koala is still legal, but Lone Pine stopped offering it in July 2024; visitors now stand beside a koala for a photo instead. Beyond koalas, the sanctuary keeps kangaroos in a large open paddock that visitors walk through and hand-feed, along with wombats, Tasmanian devils, platypus, dingoes, echidnas and a raptor free-flight show. A river cruise from the city runs to the sanctuary along the Brisbane River.
History
Claude Reid opened the sanctuary in 1927 to shelter sick, injured and orphaned koalas at a time when they were being killed for their fur, starting with two koalas called Jack and Jill, and its name comes from a lone hoop pine planted by the Clarkson family, the first owners of the site. It became known around the world in the Second World War, when Americans, among them Douglas MacArthur's wife, came to see the animals (Wikipedia, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary).
What you'll find
- The koala colony - over a hundred animals, seen up close but no longer held.
- The kangaroo paddock - an open enclosure visitors walk into and feed.
- The platypus and wombats - Australian species in dedicated displays.
- The raptor show - free-flight birds of prey presentations.
When to go
April to October for Brisbane's dry season; summer is hot and humid and koalas sleep through the heat. Mornings are the most active period. School holidays are busy and the koala photo sessions book out early in the day.
Things to know
Koala holding ended in 2024; the stand-beside photo costs extra on top of entry and sells out. Koalas sleep around twenty hours a day and most will be motionless. Entry prices are high, and the sanctuary is a zoo rather than a wild setting.
Nearby
The Brisbane River cruise route links to the city; Mount Coot-tha lies north.
What to pack for Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Strong insect repellent - DEET or picaridin; the jungle is where bites and disease risk are highest. Find on Amazon
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- Long, light, quick-dry clothing - Covers skin from insects and sun without cooking you in the humidity. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
