Brisbane Wildlife

Home to koalas, kangaroos, possums, wombats, dingoes, assorted birds, reptiles, amphibians and other unique wildlife, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is set in a natural landscape on the edge of the Brisbane River. Officially recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records, it is the world's first and largest koala sanctuary, boasting 80 years of experience and more than 130 koalas.

Famous for opportunities to get close to Australian wildlife, Lone Pine now also offers a slice of Aussie outback farm life with Brisbane's only sheep dog show. Watch the experienced, award-winning sheep dog handlers and their clever canine companions, and then take a photo with the animal stars after the show! You can also take photos with crocodiles, snakes and birds of prey, and the famous koala cuddle photos are available at any time.

Located only 11km from the centre of Brisbane, the sanctuary is easily accessible by bus, car and boat.  The Mirimar cruise departs daily from the Cultural Centre and arrives at the entrance to Lone Pine. You will be able to see some of Brisbane's most beautiful historic buildings as well as Indooroopilly Island, one of Australia's largest bat colonies.

At the Daisy Hill Koala Centre, visitors can see koalas up close and learn all about these fascinating Australian animals. Wander through the centre, looking at the displays and learning about koalas, their life cycle and how they've adapted to the changing Australian environment.

The centre also offers ranger-led tours and talks, programs for school holiday visitors and special programs catering for school groups. Programs include ranger-led activities including spotlight walks and animal shows.

Getting close to dolphins is a dream that many of us share.

So, take a full day trip to Moreton Island. Enjoy an enjoyable boat trip to the island as you cruise across the bay. Once there, you can take advantage of the resort facilities during the day (at extra cost) such as snorkelling the wrecks, quad biking, kayaking and more.

When it's getting dark, walk to the jetty to see the arrival of wild dolphins. After some useful and interesting commentaries, you'll be able to put your feet in the ocean and handfeed the dolphins yourself.

Designed to recreate the natural local bushland and flora, the Ipwsich Nature Centre features a wide range of Australian wildlife. Explore the lush landscaped gardens and unique exhibits designed to enthrall and educate visitors.

With strong links in conservation and awareness, Australia Zoo not only houses a large variety of animals, but encourages you to get up close and learn about them, or maybe even adopt one!

Located in Beerwah, north of Brisbane, Australia Zoo's main attractions are the daily shows, animal feeding, guided tours and photo encounters.

From June to November, the humpback whales are cruising along the southern coast of Queensland.

You can usually spot them blowing quite easily from the coast. If you are spending a day or staying on North Stradbroke Island you can take advantage of the whale watch Tower at Point Lookout. This will give you a better chance to see these amazing animals.

For those who want to get closer - much closer - you can jump on the MV Eye-Spy, a luxury catamaran purposely built for whale-watching. The boat departs from Redcliffe Jetty daily with optional bus transfer from Brisbane. 

Once on board, you will be given an excellent commentary and educational information about these huge mammals. The cruise also includes morning tea and lunch, but the highlight of course is seeing the whales swimming around the catamaran. It's a breathtaking moment. Just a piece of advice: don’t forget your camera!