Brisbane River Cruise & Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Entry

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1/12

Duration5h 30m

GroupUp to 9

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Cruise Past Brisbane's Skyline, Then Spend Three Hours With Koalas

You board at Southbank, cruise downriver for an hour, then have three unscheduled hours at Lone Pine to see koalas, kangaroos, sheepdog and bird of prey shows, and wild lorikeets. The return cruise leaves at 1:30pm and gets you back to the city by 2:45pm. Entry to the sanctuary and both boat trips are included.

5h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Brisbane river cruise and sanctuary visit

Check in by 8:45 am
Board boat at Southbank
Cruise to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Arrive at sanctuary at 10:15 am
Explore sanctuary for 3 hours
See koalas, kangaroos, and platypus
Watch sheepdog and birds of prey shows
Feed wild lorikeets
Board boat from 12:45 pm to 1:30 pm
Cruise back to Brisbane city

The Experience

You're at Southbank by 8:45am, boarding a boat that leaves the city's glass towers behind and takes you downriver toward the trees. The captain talks as you move — pointing out waterside mansions and the shift from concrete to leafy suburbs — and by 10:15am you're stepping onto the jetty at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Three hours to walk the parkland, stand in front of koalas, watch kangaroos, and catch the sheepdog show where the dogs respond to whistles and hand signals. The birds of prey fly overhead. Lorikeets come in twice a day for feeding, and if you're patient, you might spot the Eastern Water Dragons — lizards that grow up to three feet long — moving through the grass.

Lone Pine opened in 1927 as a refuge for sick and orphaned koalas when the species was being hunted for fur. That history sits with you as you walk. The sanctuary isn't just a place to see animals; it's built around the idea that watching them changes how you think about protecting them. The sheepdog show runs on a schedule, the Birds of Prey display has set times, so you'll want to check what's on during your three hours and plan which ones matter to you. Some people spend most of their time with the koalas. Others split time between the shows and the walking trails.

At 12:45pm, boarding starts for the return cruise. You can grab something from the café or bar on the boat — wine and other drinks are for purchase — or just sit on deck and watch the city come back into view as you head back to Southbank, arriving around 2:45pm. The whole day is five and a half hours from check-in to return, which means you're back in the city by mid-afternoon with the rest of your day still open.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip river cruise from Southbank to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, general admission to the sanctuary, and captain's commentary during both boat journeys.
Café and bar are available on board for food and drinks (at your own cost).
Strollers are permitted for small children, and the cruise itself is wheelchair accessible, though the sanctuary entrance requires climbing 28 steps from the jetty.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Koala and River Cruises

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Australian wildlife without arranging separate transport and entry — the fixed schedule and included boat ride mean you show up at one place and the day unfolds on its own. It works well for families with young children and anyone who'd rather not navigate getting to Lone Pine by car.