You might think of Brisbane as nothing but an ever expanding cityscape, full of cranes erecting skyscrapers and dense suburban streets. But if you head out to Fig Tree Pocket, just a quick drive down the Centenary Highway towards the west side, you’ll come across a leafy pocket of space that’s home to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary—and it’s well worth the trip.
You probably vaguely know that there’s a koala sanctuary out that way—but what you might not know is that there’s 70 other native species who call Lone Pine home, and you can get up close and personal with just about all of them. Always wanted to meet a wombat? You can do that here—there’s several in residence. Or how about a dingo? A Tasmanian Devil? A platypus? Yep, all those native Aussie animals you know all about but have never actually seen in real life are here, lapping up the good life in a natural setting with dozens of carers.
Image credit: Urban List | Ranyhyn Laine
In fresh news though, the daylight hours aren't the only time you can visit the Sanctuary, thanks to the launch of their new Nocturnal tours. These 90 minute walking tours are available on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings for visitors aged three and up. With many of Australia's wildlife species being most active at night, Nocturnal gives you a chance to see a whole world of activity that is usually hidden, which is visible via your own handheld thermal imaging device and red light torch. Catch Tassie devils, bandicoots, wombats, potoroos and more—animals you'll normally never see out and about during the day—doing what they do after dark. Even the koalas are more lively after the sun goes down.
Image credit: Urban List | Ranyhyn Laine
For those who aren't night owls though, the daytime offers plenty of unmissable opportunities so see Australian wildlife up cloase. You can opt to cuddle with a koala during session times, or just get a selfie with one perched in a tree if those claws are a bit much for you (we feel you). If you visit at the right time of year, you’ll even see baby koalas firmly attached to their mothers’ back all around the sanctuary.
Make sure you grab a packet of kangaroo feed at the entrance to take with you to the kangaroo enclosure, where a mob of friendly roos and wallabies hang out with a couple of emus. Hot tip: If you visit early morning or during the afternoon when it’s cooler, the roos will be way more inclined to come up and say hi, though they’re pretty hungry at any time of day, and you’ll be out of roo food and tearfully telling kangaroo joeys you’re out of snacks in no time.
Proceeds from all tickets to Lone Pine Sanctuary go towards funding their wildlife hospital, research projects and sustainability efforts as well as caring for their resident wildlife. If you want the full experience, you can add a platypus, owl or reptile encounter or a koala discovery tour for more personal experiences. Read up on all the animals you’ll meet and book your tickets here.
Not into animals? Check out these Brisbane art galleries instead.
Image credit: Lone Pine Sanctuary | Supplied