Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Updated April 15, 2024

## Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (Brisbane): What to Know Before You Go

If you want a high-signal wildlife day in Brisbane—one that’s easy to plan, doesn’t require a car, and still feels meaningfully “Queensland”—Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the obvious pick. It’s in Fig Tree Pocket, about 12 km from Brisbane’s CBD, with multiple transport options and an on-site layout that supports different mobility needs (with a few terrain caveats).

Below is a practical, detail-forward guide using only information published by Lone Pine directly, so you can plan with confidence.

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## Quick facts (so you can decide fast)

– Address: 708 Jesmond Road, Fig Tree Pocket, QLD 4069, Australia
– Opening hours: Daily 9:00am–5:00pm (including public holidays)
– Last entry: 4:00pm (to allow time to explore before close)
– Special hours (notable exceptions):
– ANZAC Day: 1:30pm–5:00pm
– Christmas Day: 9:00am–3:00pm
– Positioning/history (as stated by the sanctuary): Established 1927 and described as the “world’s oldest & largest koala sanctuary.”

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## The biggest “heads up”: koala holding ended in 2024

A lot of older blogs and tour listings still talk about “holding a koala” here. Lone Pine’s official statement says koala hold experiences ceased from 1 July 2024. In place of holds, they reference a newer Koala Close-Up experience and note it’s intended to focus on “up close, but not personal” connections, plus existing koala encounters such as Koala Moments and the Koala Discovery Tour.

Why this matters for your planning: if “holding a koala” is the only reason you’re going, calibrate expectations and check current experience availability before you buy add-ons.

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## Getting there: the simplest options (and what doesn’t work)

### Drive (easy mode)
Lone Pine states they offer free on-site parking for visitors.

### Public bus (best if you’re staying central)
Lone Pine lists Brisbane City Council bus routes:
– Route 430 (departs from Ann Street)
– Route 445 (departs from Wickham Terrace)

### River cruise (best “Brisbane-feeling” arrival)
Lone Pine also promotes a 75-minute Brisbane River cruise operated by Koala & River Cruises, with a published timetable and departures from the Cultural Centre Pontoon.

Important detail people get wrong: Lone Pine explicitly notes CityCat ferries do not travel to Lone Pine.

Outdated-data flag: Lone Pine includes a specific service notice (e.g., a private charter date when no public cruise runs). Those notices change—always re-check the “Plan Your Journey” page close to your visit.

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## How to structure your visit (so it doesn’t feel rushed)

Because last entry is 4:00pm, you don’t want to show up late and try to sprint.

A practical flow that matches how wildlife parks actually work:

– Arrive earlier rather than later. Lone Pine explicitly recommends arriving early to make the most of the day.
– Plan one “anchor” experience, then fill the rest with general exploring. If you try to stack multiple paid encounters back-to-back, you’ll spend more time tracking schedules than enjoying the sanctuary.
– Leave buffer time for mobility and terrain. The grounds are naturally hilly (more on that below), which can slow things down.

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## Accessibility and inclusivity: what Lone Pine says they provide

Lone Pine publishes unusually specific accessibility information—use it.

### Wheelchair access and terrain
– The sanctuary is on naturally hilly terrain, and not all slopes are easily navigable with unassisted wheelchairs.
– They provide alternate routes, marked on the visitor map, to support guests with limited mobility.

### Wheelchair hire
– Lone Pine offers a limited number of manual wheelchairs for hire at the ticket entrance.
– A $6 maintenance fee applies, and they note guests sign a liability waiver.
– They recommend booking in advance by calling (07) 3378 1366 or emailing their team.

### Companion Cards (support person / carer entry)
Lone Pine states they offer free entry for essential support persons or carers accompanying a guest with disability, when a valid government-issued Companion Card (or equivalent international card) is presented.

### Assistance animals
Lone Pine notes assistance animals can access certain public areas (like the Riverside Café and outdoor lawns) without prior arrangements, but pre-booking is required for access to the main sanctuary grounds, and there are restrictions in wildlife-specific zones.

If you’re traveling with mobility, sensory, or other access needs, Lone Pine also mentions private tours and encourages contacting their education team to tailor the experience.

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## Ethical wildlife expectations (so you’re not surprised)

Lone Pine’s public materials emphasize a move toward observing koalas up close without holding (and position this as aligned with animal wellbeing and modern visitor expectations).

Practical takeaway: go in expecting respectful proximity, not hands-on interaction.

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## “Before you publish” internal link suggestions (contextual, not factual)

If you have relevant supporting guides on RealJourneyTravels.com, two internal links that fit naturally in this article:

– Brisbane travel planning guide (e.g., “Best things to do in Brisbane” or “Brisbane itinerary”)
– Australian wildlife / koala facts guide (e.g., “Where to see koalas in Australia responsibly”)

These anchors keep readers on-site and help Google connect entity relationships (Brisbane → wildlife attraction → koalas / conservation).

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## Final planning notes (what can change fast)

Even with strong official info, a few things are inherently changeable:
– Ticket prices, encounter availability, and cruise schedules can shift seasonally or operationally—verify on the sanctuary site right before you go.
– If your itinerary is tight, plan around the 4:00pm last entry rule so you’re not paying for a partial visit.

If you want, paste your intended visit date + where you’re staying in Brisbane (CBD/South Bank/etc.) and I’ll map the cleanest transport plan using only the official options listed by Lone Pine.

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