Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Overview

Available languages

English

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.

1 hour 15 minutes • Admission Included

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.

3 hours • Admission Included

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

4.75

1,497 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

1209

224

Great trip
Nav1go,,Dec 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Great Debarkation trip - we were coming form a cruise and didn’t have plans to fly out until the next day. They were great and let us bring our luggage on board as the ship was a little late clearing customs and we wouldn’t have had time to go to the hotel. The sanctuary is a fun trip - you are there from 10:15 am until 1/1:30 pm which is enough time to see the raptor and sheep dog shows and walk the whole property. Fun little native zoo.
Little Gem
Kylie M,,Dec 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Fantastic customer service, coffee, food and commentary on board. Air conditioned and prices exceptional.
Good experience
Kimberlee B,,Dec 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00
Very good tour and cruise. Lots of koala and other wildlife. The smell of eucalyptus is strong but nice.
Koala experience not to be missed
Karyn G,,Dec 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
It was a very relaxing and enjoyable trip the boat ride was nice There are some stairs and an uphill climb from the boat to the sanctuary The captain of the ship was outstanding and very informative along the way
Great excursion
Andrea R,,Dec 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Wonderful afternoon spent at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. The boat ride there was also nice and relaxing. The captain and the crew were nice and respectful.
Great way to get to the...
Phillip K,,Dec 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Great way to get to the sanctuary easily and sanctuary experience is amazing and unique to be so up close and personal with kangaroos and koalas!
River Cruise and Koala Sanctuary- a hit!!
856lynnj,,Dec 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was great- river cruise was a wonderful and informative way to see more of Brisbane. Loved the sanctuary and the ability to be up close and personal with kangaroos, wallabies, and a koala. Definitely a highlight for this visit. Highly recommend!
Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Ulrich R,,Dec 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Leisurely cruise upriver with excellent explanations. The park is awesome can be done at your peace.
A fantastic tour with great staff
JordyDundee,,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We purchased this trip while visiting Brisbane. The river cruise was excellent with amazing staff and the captain provided an education tour up the river. The sanctuary was great to visit and we managed to see all the Australian animals. I highly recommend this tour.
Cruise and Koala viewing
Laura P,,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Great boat river cruise. Narration shared tour information. Koalas at the sanctuary were adorable. Don’t forget to feed the kangaroos.