When I arrived in Brisbane one of the first things I did was visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, which is only 13km from Brisbane. I had to go see some koalas and hold one!
The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary isn’t big but there is so much to do that you can spend a full day here. Besides feeding Kangaroos, seeing a sheep shaving, holding a Koala or a snake they also have daily talks. Because the sanctuary isn’t that big you can get up close and personal with the animals. Which you don’t really have at the other zoo’s unless you pay a lot of money.
The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
I took a bus from the city (approximately 40 min drive) to the sanctuary. Ones inside the first thing you see are cockatoos and bats. Just around the corning of that you will find the koalas. Lots of them! In the sanctuary they put the retired koalas together, the mum and baby koalas together and so on.
On of the first things I did was listening to the daily talk about the koalas and hold one of them! I also took a picture with a koala. I can remember this was cheaper than at the Australia Zoo.
I also learned a lot about snakes during the daily talk. Which is a good thing when you are in Australia ;-). You could also touch the snake if you liked. I did it but they still creep me out!
After that I went to the kangaroos and got to feed a couple of them! The first moment a kangaroo took some food out of my hand was a bit scary because those animals can be very vicious (even though they are used to people) but after that I wasn’t scared anymore.
Sheep dog and sheering show
Make sure you go see the sheep dog and sheering show. It’s shoved a bit in the back corner of the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. But it’s definitely worth a visit, so don’t miss it!
It looks that the sheep is uncomfortable but he promised us that the sheep wasn’t in any pain.
Other than koalas, kangaroos, snakes and sheep the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary also have other animals like wombats, crocodiles, the Tasmanian Devils, birds and more.
I had never seen an Tasmanian Devil, well only as a cartoon, so I was really curious to see the animal for real!
Tasmanian Devil
Crocodile
If you are lucky you will see the staff walking a wombat.
There are two places where you can eat and drink. At the sleepy koala cafe, right by the koala photos, you will find pictures of celebrities that have visited the sanctuary and hold a koala. Some will surprise you ;-).
A sanctuary is better than a zoo. I got to hold a koala a long time ago and it pooped in my hand! What a fun visit though!
I felt a bit awkward seeing the sheep having a hair trim, but I think he is already used to it. The koala bear is such a baby, and I think he like you 😀
Do they really love eucalyptus leaves?
I’d love to see koalas in their natural habitat. This looks like a caring sanctuary which makes me happy to see. The Tasmanian Devil is so cool, I’ve never seen one either.
There’s something magical about seeing animals in their natural habitat, it’s one of our favourite types of holidays. Koalas in particular I’d love to see!
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary sounds exactly like the sort of place I’ve been looking to include in my itinerary. I have a friend there and I asked her if she knows of a place neat Brisbane or Sydney where I can hug koalas and feed kangaroos and she seemed to tell me that it is banned in various cities in Australia to hug the koalas. I plan to visit Australia in March next year and in the process of building an itinerary so this place seems like the perfect fit!
I have always wanted to own a Koala but I know they are better off in the wild or sanctuary. Will try to visit the Lone Pine Sanctuary once we’re back in Brisbane.
Ahhh I would LOVE to go to the Koala Sanctuary!! Koala’s have always been one of my favorite animals! And I agree, I think I would be scared to feed the first Kangaroo- but it looks like so much fun!!
Awwwwww…. This just melted my heard early in the morning. I really hope I’ll get a chance to hold a koala, sloth and a panda in my lifetime. Those 3 animals are like human babies, right??
Oh!!! That character in Looney tunes is Tasmanian Devil??? Interesting. I just googled it up to know that! I didn’t know of this animal at all!