Brisbane Part 1 - Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

It was a gloomy Monday and showers were expected for the day but we are all set to visit Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. It is located in the Brisbane suburb of Fig Tree Pocket. Founded in 1927, it is the world's oldest and largest Koala Sanctuary. The sanctuary is one of the very few sanctuaries in the world where visitors are actually allowed to hold koalas for a fee. Strict regulations ensure that each koala is not held for more than thirty minutes every day.

You can cuddle this koala for free.

For as low as $16 you can cuddle a real one like this.


Do you know how to tell the gender of koalas? See the brown patch on the chest of the koala I am cuddling in the picture? Only males have this. (no wonder he was clingy) But I have to let go of him since my arms were getting numb. Adult male koalas weigh from 8 to 14 kilograms.

A cute female koala. Females weigh between 6 to 11 kilograms.



See the "thing" coming out under his balls? Koalas poop 30 times a day.

Visitors of the sanctuary can enjoy a number of activities like lorikeet feeding. They are fed specially prepared nectar meals at the sanctuary. Anyone can feed the lorikeets twice a day.

Aren't they all cute hungry creatures?

No leftovers please.



Feeding a baby lamb is fun too.



Kangaroos! I want to feed them too. Well that is one of the things you can do there as well. We patted some free-roaming kangaroos in the five acre open-plan kangaroo reserve, where more than 130 of the animals freely reside including wallabies. Kangaroos are sometimes seen with a joey in their pouch and we were lucky to be approached by a hungry mum with her joey.











How about feeding an emu, lizard or snake? No 
I did not do any of those. I just wanted pictures with them so I can show it to you guys.
 




I needed to hold this python so she does not eat the koala.


A sheep dog show is also a must see in the sanctuary. It is held twice daily. You can see the amazing skills of hard working dogs as they muster the sheep around the paddock.









an interactive map to guide you around the park

The sanctuary is open 9am - 5pm daily. Entrance is $32 per adult.There is an entrance from a car park, and also an entrance to the sanctuary from the Brisbane River. One can arrive by private car or taxi, a journey of approximately 20 minutes from the City. One can also catch a Brisbane Transport bus, or arrive by ferry from the Queensland Cultural Centre pontoon, a journey of approximately 1½ hours.