Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Overview
Available languages
5 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
See Australia’s amazing animals on a day trip to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary from Brisbane. Your river cruise takes you from the bustling waterfront of Southbank to the lush parklands of Lone Pine, with the chance to see iconic sights as you glide along the water. At the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, you can get up close to koalas, kangaroos and watch platypus, sheepdogs, and birds of prey in action. Animal lovers will not want to miss this experience!
Check-in is required by 8.45 am, departs at 9am sharp, arriving at Lone Pine Sanctuary 10:15- departing Lone Pine at 1:30pm and arriving back in the city at 2:45pm
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Wheelchair: Cruise is accessible however Lone Pine has a set of 28 steps to climb from the jetty to the entrance
No health restrictions apply to this tour
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
The Brisbane River
You’ll board your boat in Brisbane’s Southbank district and leave the city behind on a relaxing cruise to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Enjoy informative commentary from your captain as you glide along Brisbane’s waterfront, passing from the bustle of the city’s skyscrapers to leafy suburbs with waterside mansions.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
At 10:15am you’ll arrive at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary where you’ll be free to explore for 3 hours. Lone Pine opened in 1927 as a safe refuge for sick, injured, and orphaned koalas, at a time when the species was being culled for the fur trade. Today, Lone Pine remains as a destination not only see native Australian animals, but to also connect and learn, and to leave feeling inspired to make small, positive changes in your daily lives to help protect native wildlife and habitats. Along with koalas and kangaroos, Lone Pine hosts a sheepdog show where you see the dogs round up a herd of sheep, responding to their master’s whistles, calls and signals. You can see owls, kites and sea eagles soar above you at the Birds of Prey show, or marvel at the colorful feathers of the wild lorikeets that fly in twice daily for feedings. Other bird species and a population of Eastern Water Dragons, a lizard that grows up to 3 feet (90cm) long also like to visit Lone Pine’s natural parkland.
What‘s Included
General Admission into Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Round-trip cruise
Food and drinks (available to purchase)
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Koala Moments (Touch a Koala)bookings online
Options
Option 1
Reviews
1,574 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Don't miss this tour!
Marilyn L,Mar 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Wonderful cruise down the Brisbane River with quirky commentary. The captain and crew were very helpful.
The crew on the boat were...
Deborah S,Mar 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The crew on the boat were fantastic we missed our ferry to get to the boat and had to run to get to the boat on time. I called to tell them we would be a minute or so late and when we arrived they were still at the dock.. The Lone Pine Sanctuary is Koala heaven. They are everywhere and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable.
It rained... but the koalas and roos were amazing
Galen B,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour operators were amazing. Wonderful experience at the Koala Sanctuary although it poured down rain.
Blissful day out
Lynda W,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The river cruise outbound was very informative and the return journey was pure relaxation on the boat to take in the scenery. The sanctuary was a perfect spot to enjoy seeing the koalas and feed the Roos as well as seeing some of the other animals there. I do feel the time spent there was a little too much for us personally as we didn’t Partake in any of the demos or talks
Great tour!!
Jackie C,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00The staff were very friendly and knowledgable, both on the cruise and at the Sanctuary. The animals were well kept and loved. Only issue was that we didn’t see the cassowaries.
Great experience
Meander05133510912,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience overall. Learnt about the river and its surroundings. The koala sanctuary was the highlight. Friendly staff and a great time.
This was a wonderful...
Zane B,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a wonderful experience from the moment we boarded the ferry! The Lone Pine Sanctuary was fantastic! It was very clean and all the animals were easy to view! The commentary along the river cruise was fun and informative.
Great staff on the cruise!
Betty O,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Lovely cruise, very informative, great to have a cold beer after walking around the zoo. Pandas are so cute.
Fantastic cruise and animal experience
mnmazzfamily,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic crew, audio of history and the sanitary was also fantastic. Beverages cold, toasted cheese/tomato sandwich 👍🏻
Best way to the Koala Sanctuary
Wendy A,Mar 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was such a fun adventure. It is the best way to get to the sanctuary and learn more about Brisbane. We ordered food for the ride up and it was delicious. They served our drinks in real mugs which was so nice vs a paper cup. The koala sanctuary is amazing and it was the perfect amount of time to explore, have lunch then head back. We got pics from the bridge on the way home and the crew were great.
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Operated by Koala and River Cruises