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

1,519 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

1229

226

Four family- three generations
Patricia C,,Jan 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great food , scenic cruise , well-run park . Our day included: feeding the Roos , cooling off in the dark reptile shed and seeing raptors in flight .
Would recommend for a day trip!
Erin M,,Jan 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Wonderful time visiting the Koala Sanctuary! Learned some history and interesting facts on the cruise there, then relaxed on the cruise back. A good amount of time at the sanctuary. Could see most everything while there.
Love the Koalas!
Lisa Y,,Jan 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
The staff was super friendly! And the boat ride was very fun! And the koala sanctuary was amazing!!!
Koala’s and much more
O6329ZQglenns,,Jan 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The pick up and drop off Pointts was easily accessible from the downtown area. The bolts crew was safe and helpful and they actually serve good food and coffee. The 70 minute boat ride to the sanctuary was very interesting. There was a canned recording that was very informative about the history of the river. The real estate was amazing. Sanctuary was a little piece of heaven. There were many many koalas as well as other animals. A smile Seldon comes off your face. This trip was well worth the money.
3 in 1 - river cruise, history and wildlife
Rachel H,,Jan 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great way to spend half a day in Brisbane and experience the calmness of a river cruise, together with some history and then the fun of seeing koalas, kangaroos and other animals up close. Super friendly crew with good value/quality food and drink on board. The time at the Koala sanctuary is long enough to see everything properly. Also you can get up close to the animals so I wouldn't waste money in advance on buying a "personal " experience.
Lone pine koala sanctuary with cruise visited solo
Lesley M,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Lovely trip lots to see .captain and crew friendly and caring .animals really cared for and best fed kangaroos with all the food bags .the rangers take photos meeting koala s and lovely menthol small
Great fun
Barbara S,,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Fun, relaxing, informative history of Brisbane River The ferry ride was cool and smooth and the crew were helpful and fruendly
Great Tour!
dionneborn2winyahooc,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
I loved this tour! The sanctuary and boat ride are great! Koalas are the cutest thing! Loved the complimentary photo.
Our Brisbane trip jan26
Sarat D,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Well organized tour.River cruise is very enjoyable.Able to see beautiful homes.Narration of historical places was good.Koala sanctuary was very good-Sarat.
5 star tour!
Carly Y,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
I loved it! What a great tour. Plenty of free time to explore, pet kangaroos, see tons of wildlife, and watch amazing animal shows. The boat ride was pleasant too--all of the staff were really friendly and kind.