by  Frankzed 

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary known as one of the top tourist attractions for visitors to Brisbane is certainly a visit not to miss. It is the largest sanctuary for koalas in the world and boasts homing more than one hundred and thirty of these cuddly furry friends. Besides koalas, there is a vast selection of wildlife in a wonderful natural setting for visitors to observe. You are even able to have the experience of hand feeding koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and some of the birdlife.

Located at 708 Jesmond Road, Fig Tree Pocket, the sanctuary is open daily from 9am until 5pm. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is an exciting outing for both young and old as there is so much to see and do there.

Activities for visitors

Cuddling Koalas
Feeding Kangaroos
Lorikeet Feeding
Snake Holding
Bird of Prey Show
Platypus Presentation
Wildlife Experience
Sheepdog Show

Hugging a koala between the hours of 9am to 4.30pm is simple, no need to book a time, simply purchase a ticket at the General Store. Besides cuddling a koala, have your photo taken together as a keepsake of your visit to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Other wildlife you can hold an owl, eagle or a snake. In the barnyard baby chickens and guinea pigs can be held as well. However, it is important not to feed the animals with human food, as this can result in their becoming ill.

How the Koala Sanctuary began

The Clarkson family owned a cotton farm on the land in 1865 and planted a lone hoop pine tree which still exists and located at the entrance building, hence the name “Lone Pine”, The sanctuary was started by Claude Reid in 1927 with two koalas named Jack and Jill and from those days the sanctuary grew with new species of wildlife slowly introduced. Today, besides more than 130 koalas and over 100 other varieties of Australian wildlife are living in these peaceful natural surroundings. The sanctuary is dedicated to the conservation of Koalas and native Australian animals operating under strict regulations as dictated by the Queensland National Park and Nature Reserve Office.

Over the years Lone Pine has received some very important visitors. During the 1950’s Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother paid a visit and was quite taken up with her cuddly friends. In 1959 Princess Alexandra visited and formed an attachment with a young koala named Alexander. She returned on several occasions and Alexander at the age of eight months became known as “King of Koalas.” In the 1970’s Queen Elizabeth ll and Prince Philip visited the sanctuary as well. 1981 had a visit from Earl Charles Spencer and this was followed by a visit from Pope John Paul ll in 1986.

In 1974 Lone Pine acquired their first platypus who they named “Peter” and 1980 the arrival of “Quasimodo”, a Tasmanian devil. Dingoes and wombats were added to the sanctuary as well. Through research, a stomach bacteria “Lonepinella Koalalum” was discovered in 1996.

Visiting Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is a most enlightening experience for all visitors.

   by  James Niland