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
1,607 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Koala sanctuary and river boat
Joanne B,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The staff and crew on the boat were friendly and professional. The commentary was interesting and not too long. There was enough time at the sanctuary so was well timed. The food and service on the boat were excellent with reasonable prices. I would suggest purchasing here than in the sanctuary. Prompt departure. The koala sanctuary was a brilliant experience and well worth a visit. Seeing and petting kangaroos was a plus. Great day out overall
Excellent trip. Very...
Lisa H,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent trip. Very friendly and helpful crew on the relaxing boat trip there and back. Got to see lots of animals, feed the kangaroos and up close encounter and photos with koalas.
Best way to see lone pine sanctuary
U8992EVthomasm,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Nice enjoyable informative boat ride and the zoo koala's were very active. The map had issues though.
Fun trip to Koalas
Colleen J,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Loved the boat trip ..very interesting and informative. Park was well run and maintained but would love to have had more interaction with the koalas.
Koala tour.
Bac P,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Interesting and refreshing. Nice river scenery 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊
Lone pine koala sanctuary
Sharen C,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Great opportunity to see Australian animals up close. You can feed the kangaroos and there are good photo opportunities. The birds of prey flying are excellent. The staff know their stuff. A pleasant river cruise with good commentary and excellent staff. A lovely way to spend a day.
Loved this tour
David T,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a great way to spend a day in Brisbane, it’s a one and a half hour scenic cruise trip with great commentary along the way then you get to spend time with the koalas and feeding the kangaroos l, there’s lots more going on at the sanctuary which is a really beautiful place. We loved this tour and I’d highly recommend it.
Really nice trip!
Rachel A,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Definitely recommend this trip - the boat trip to the koala sanctuary was nice with plenty of outside and also inside seating, with good commentary. Cafe on board did good food. The sanctuary itself is incredible - really nice to see the animals well looked after and to see the koalas up close. Go into the koala forest at around 12-1pm (it’s inside the food tent bit!) and see their food get changed, the koalas are very active then!
Nice River Cruise and Peaceful Animal Exhibit
Richard S,Apr 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Calming river ride and the Koala Sanctuary offer many other animals and a peaceful ground. Food both at Sanctuary and on boat was good and reasonably priced. A good day.
Everything we expected and more
Marc E,Apr 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience with the boat and the sanctuary. The cruise was a smooth experience, the food on the ship smelled delicious, and the sanctuary gave so many experiences with the animals there. Lots of wonderful photo opportunities.
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Operated by Koala and River Cruises