Best things to do in Brisbane

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary and is home to over 100 koalas and 70 species of other Australian native animals. Established in 1927, the sanctuary offers guests the opportunity to get up close and personal with the wildlife in a natural, intimate setting. From koala holds to kangaroo feeding, free-flight raptor shows and sheepdog demonstrations, there is something for everyone.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is accredited by the Zoo and Aquarium Association for positive animal welfare. The health and wellbeing of the sanctuary’s animals are at the forefront of everything we do, along with our extensive research and conservation efforts.

Lone Pine is open every day from 9:00am to 5:00pm (1:30pm to 5:00pm on ANZAC Day) and is just 12kms from the Brisbane CBD.

Buy tickets online, simply visit www.lonepinekoalasanctuary.com/tickets

For daily schedules simply visit www.lonepinekoalasanctuary.com/whats-on/

For COVID-19 information visit www.lonepinekoalasanctuary.com/covid-19-information/

If you have any questions or need anything of us, please email us at service@koala.net

Sitting along the Brisbane River, South Bank Parklands sits in the heart of Brisbane. Towering over the park at 60 m (197 ft), the Wheel of Brisbane Ferris wheel offers you a panorama of the city and its surrounding. When your ride finishes, head to Streets Beach, a manmade beach spreading out over 2,000 sq m (21,500 sq ft) and containing a base of 4,000 cubic meters (5,200 cubic yards) of sand with another 70 tons brought in every summer. Here you can swim in chlorinated fresh water and relax under the shade of a palm tree. Other attractions include the traditionally designed Nepal Peace Pagoda and flowering bougainvillea on the 443 curling steel columns of The Arbour. Numerous restaurants and cafes offer dining options.

The Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout provides panoramic views of Brisbane and its environs. Bus tours often stop here, and you can easily reach the Lookout with Bus 471 from the city. Signs point out key landmarks to give you a lay of the land, and you can eat at either the cafe or restaurant should hunger strike.

Enjoy an afternoon in Brisbane's premier public park. City Botanic Gardens offers 20 hectares (49 acres) of rare and unusual plant life, including cycads, Queensland nut trees, and jacarandas. Tour Bamboo Grove, stand over ornamental ponds, and view the "Jemmy Morrill and the Brolgas" sculpture. The Riverstage hosts numerous events throughout the year, so check the schedule before you come. Weekdays generally provide much more solitude than weekends do.

Stroll through the world's largest subtropical garden in the center of a city. On the 16 hectares (40 acres) of Roma Street Parkland, you'll find colorful Australian and exotic subtropical vegetation. Keep an eye out for birds flying overhead, lizards running about, and fish swimming in the ponds. View the 15 public artworks--including sculptures, a mosaic, and murals--on a self-guided tour.

Not to be confused with the SeaWorld chain in the United States, Australia's Sea World Theme Park offers a mix of massive marine animal exhibits, dazzling shows, and thrilling rides. See how dolphins care for their young at the Dolphin Nursery Pool, observe penguins on land and underwater at Penguin Encounter, and get up close with sharks at Shark Bay. Polar Bear Shores serves as Australia's only polar-bear exhibit, and Ray Reef contains over 100 rays for you to feed. The seal show has an engaging storyline with both seals and humans acting it out. The rides area includes both thrilling roller coasters such as Sea Viper and children's adventure areas like Beach Break Bay.

The Brisbane River provides a handful of ways for you to enjoy the city's ideal climate. Ride the current in a kayak or on a paddleboard, or enjoy a picnic in one of the riverside parks. Head to Kangaroo Point Cliffs for sublime views of the river heading toward Brisbane's city center. Perhaps the best way to experience the river, though, is along the Riverwalk. Here you can stroll a network of pavement along the river banks and even out onto the river itself.

Tour a wide range of native and exotic landscapes at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt. Coot-tha. Here you'll discover 52 hectares (128 acres) of gardens from climate zones around the world. See starkly beautiful desert plants at the Arid Zone and Cactus Zone. Admire local plant life around a large lake at the Australian Plant Communities. Learn about the art of bonsai at the Bonsai House. Wander beneath the canopy of the Exotic Rainforest. The Kenzo Ogata-designed Japanese Gardens just might help you find inner harmony. The gardens offer workshops on subjects such as gardening and photography, so see what's available when you visit.

Explore the ever-changing story of Australia at Queensland Museum & Sciencentre, exhibiting natural history, cultural heritage, science, and human achievement of this sprawling continent. A pedestrian bridge and tunnel link the museum and its art gallery to the Queensland Performing Arts Center. This large cultural complex houses permanent and temporary exhibitions that connect visitors to Queensland's people and landscapes. Popular exhibitions reveal the prehistoric past of Queensland, showcase the cultures of aboriginal peoples, and highlight the region's unique biodiversity. The museum is also a world-class research facility and home to the Sciencecentre, offering hands-on, interactive activities for kids and adults that reveal the science behind our everyday lives.