4 Places Where to See Koalas in Brisbane

There are plenty of wildlife parks in the Brisbane/South East corner area, and they all have Koalas for you to see as well as other native animals.

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Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the place to come to if you only have time to visit Brisbane and want to see Koalas. You can have your photo taken with a Koala and see wildlife roaming around, calling this place home.

You have plenty of other animals to see, such as Birds, Cassowary, Platypus, Flying Foxes, Lizards and Snakes. A couple of Dingo pups were running around their enclosure, playing like a couple of young boys. Mum was watching them from the runway above while I was there. Usually, the Dingos are sleeping when I see them.

Shows

Once again, you have shows showing what our native birds and farm life is like. A Raptor Flight show and Sheep Dog Show allow you to see how agile the birds are and how skilled the dogs are in herding sheep.

Rainbow Lorikeets

At 9.45 am and 4 pm, there is the feeding of the Rainbow Lorikeets. These colourful, wild birds come into the designated area to be fed, and then you can have photos taken with them. A few often hang around during the day, so you might be lucky and see them around if you’re not there when the feeding is on.

Koalas

Of course, you really want to see the Koalas, and there are plenty of them.

There are many places where you can not only see the Koalas but also have your photo taken with them. Babies are something to keep an eye out for as the cute factor is off the scales.

Getting There

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is located in the Brisbane suburb of Fig Tree Pocket. You can either drive, take a bus or arrive on a ferry from Brisbane city.

Conclusion

If you’re only in Australia for a short time and are spending it in Brisbane, this is the easy park to get to. You can easily spend an afternoon or morning seeing all the animals that call Australia home and learn about them from the talks during the day.

Hours

• Daily
  • 09:00 am–05:00 pm

Prices

• Adult (18+ years) $54.00
• Child (3-13 years) $39.00
• Student (14-17 years or with valid ID) $43.00
• Senior/Pensioner (65+ years or with valid ID) $43.00
• Family (2 adults + up to 2 children) $166.00
• Mini Family (1 adult + up to 2 children) $115.00

Australia Zoo

Home of the Irwin’s, Australia Zoo is located at Beerwah, Glasshouse Mountains, about 20 minutes off the highway to the Sunshine Coast from Brisbane.

Although it’s known as home to Crocodiles, they aren’t the only residents here.

Shows

Along with the Crocodile shows, there are also Birds of Flight, Tiger, and Reptile and talks at the enclosures of other animals.

The Sumatran Tiger talk in the morning and show in the afternoon is another popular place to see these magnificent animals. You learn all about their plight in the wild and how zoos are helping to conserve them.

Other Animals

Australia Zoo is a huge park where you can spend all day looking around. As well as the Sumatran Tigers, you have Asian Small Clawed Otters, Australian marsupials, and an African area for Zebras and Rhinoceros to roam more freely.

Australian Natives

All the Australian native animals are here, and if you’re lucky, you’ll see a baby Koala or an Echidna running around.

Bindi Island

Bindi Island is a large area where the Ring-tailed Lemurs are free to roam. They are so entertaining in trees, on the path or walking along the ground, and plenty of photo opportunities are here.

Reptiles

The marsupials aren’t the only native animals on show. The Snakes on display is a valuable education into how dangerous this country can be if you’re in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and encountering the wrong snake.

Marsupials

On your way out, at the end of the car park, is the hospital you can also visit if you’ve paid a couple of dollars extra.

Here you can view the operating and recuperating rooms. You can see all the excellent work that the hospital does for the local wildlife and their own in the Zoo.

Getting There

You can easily drive from Brisbane, the Sunshine or Gold Coast, and a large car park.

You can arrive on a train, alighting at Beerwah Train Station, with the Australia Zoo shuttle meeting most trains.

Conclusion

This is an excellent attraction for learning all about Australian animals and Sumatran Tigers. You may even get to see the Irwins.

Daily bus tours depart from Brisbane, the Sunshine and Gold Coasts.

Hours

• Daily
  • 09:00 am–05:00 pm

Online Prices

For prices and bookings, please click here.

Wildlife HQ

Wildlife HQ is a little zoo at Woombye on the Sunshine Coast and a great place to see Koalas.

This little Zoo used to be Alma Park Zoo in Brisbane’s northern suburbs before being relocated to the Big Pineapple to allow for more housing to be built.

A small train runs through the Zoo and up to the Big Pineapple and its eateries. You have a little cafe for snacks on the zoo grounds, although you’re welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy.

Farm Animals and Others

As you enter the park, you have farm animals, reptiles, Cassowaries and more before heading around to a walk-through of Kangaroos.

Australian Animals

Crossing over the railway tracks, you’ll find yourself in the middle of the Australian animal section. Here you can find Koalas, more Kangaroo and Wallaby, including an Albino Wallaby.

The Tassie Devil is usually either asleep or in hiding, but there are plenty of other animals to see, including birds.

There are plenty of Koalas to keep you entertained here. They have pit enclosures that make it easy to see them at eye level.

Asian Rainforest

Maly, the Sun Bear, has a large enclosure to roam around. He is with Binturong, Red Pandas and Blackbutt.

African Plains

As this is a small park, a small number of animals are introduced over time. The African Wild Dogs came a couple of years ago and are found in many zoos in Australia and New Zealand due to their dwindling numbers in the African wild. They also have Meerkats and Baboons.

South American Trail

Onto the South American Trail, and you have Monkeys, Snakes and Ring-tailed Lemurs.

As this is a small zoo with no government funding, the Monkeys are in the old wire enclosures of the past. Hopefully, one day, they can move them to a more open area popular with the bigger zoos in cities.

Conclusion

Another great little park to see animals, especially Koalas. Some of the paths are steep, and sometimes you have grass to cross, so bear that in mind if you have wheelchairs or strollers.

You also have the opportunity to have animal encounters which seem to be a lot cheaper than in other zoos. You can view your options here.

Hours

• Daily
  • 09:00 am–04:00 pm last entry 3 pm

• Adults $42
• Children (under 3) Free
• Children (3-15 years) $28
• Seniors $35
• Family (2 adults 2 children) $119

Prices

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is located at Currumbin on the Gold Coast.

Whether you’re based down here or not and want to see Koalas, this is the place to come to.

What To See

There are many native animals at this park with the usual shows and talks throughout the day.

Aviaries

Not far from the entrance is a bird aviary, where you can walk through looking for native birds.

Some of the birds are well hidden. They are either camouflaged high in the treetops or on the ground looking for grubs.

There are Parrots in other Aviaries further into the park. In these enclosures, you walk along, looking into the open area where the birds are free to fly.

Shows

There are plenty of shows to see as you wander the grounds throughout the day.

Make sure that you plan the day well to fit everything in, from Australian culture to the Free Flight Bird Show.

Crocodile

Another great show that you have to see is the Crocodile Show. Get there early for this one to ensure that you get the right spot to watch the show.

The Lost Valley

After seeing the Crocodile show, you should head to the Lost Valley. Home to the rainforest, it is reminiscent of Gondwanaland thousands of years ago.

Many animals here include the Red Panda, Tree Kangaroo, Lemur, and many more.

The Lemur enclosure is a walk-through area, sharing the area with local birds. With the Lemurs, you can look but don’t touch them. You can still get very close to them as they wander around.

Lorikeet

Lorikeet feeding happens twice a day, at 8 am and 4 pm. It is just outside the entrance, so you can enjoy this experience without paying to go in. A gold coin donation is all that is required for the food that you can feed the Lorikeets. They are so used to humans that they will land on you without an invitation.

Koala

Of course, what you have come to see is the Koalas which are dotted all over the park.

Near the entrance are the Koalas that you can have a photo taken with. The Nursery with the Mum Koalas and their babies is near the back of the park.

You can also have breakfast or afternoon snacks with the Koalas. Breakfast is 8 am – 9 am and the afternoon session is 2 pm. Prices are on their website here.

Getting There

You can arrive by car, with a large car park for a fee that will go towards the Animal Hospital which cares for wildlife and zoo animals.

You could use public transport. Go to the Translink site to plan your journey.

Shuttle bus transfers can be organised by calling 1300 886 511.

Conclusion

This is an excellent park for families and those kids at heart. There are plenty of areas where they can play in the playground or enjoy cooling off on a hot day in the Wild Island Adventure Splash Zone for the smaller ones.

There are new attractions every year, so there’s no excuse not to come back again if you’ve been before.

Hours

• Daily
  • 08:00 am–05:00 pm

Prices

Just the Sanctuary

• Adults $64.95
• Children (under 3) Free
• Children (3-13 years) $49.95
• Family(2 adults 2 children) $202.95
• Concession $51.95

Conclusion

All of these wildlife parks are worth your consideration. All do great work in the community, helping wildlife and their conservation. By visiting these parks, you’re helping to keep these animals healthy and in breeding programs and supporting the local wildlife.

Hopefully, by visiting these attractions, you have had a chance to get up close and see Koalas in Brisbane.

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