Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane
Brisbane, Australia

Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Outty Ranking 92 4.8 · 1,696 traveler reviews5.5 hoursFrom $8090+ Club

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

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From, per person$80
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Outty Ranking

92/100

90+ Club. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.8/5

Based on 1,696 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary worth booking?

Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is a 5.5-hour experience in Brisbane, Australia, from $80 per person. It scores 92 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “90+ Club, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 1,696 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing. It sits in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.

Outty Ranking
92 / 100
Rating
4.8/5 (1,696)
Duration
5.5 hours
From
$80 per person

See Australia’s amazing animals on a day trip to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary from Brisbane. Your river cruise takes you from the bustling waterfront of Southbank to the lush parklands of Lone Pine, with the chance to see i

What you get

  • General Admission into Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
  • Round-trip cruise

About this experience

See Australia’s amazing animals on a day trip to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary from Brisbane. Your river cruise takes you from the bustling waterfront of Southbank to the lush parklands of Lone Pine, with the chance to see iconic sights as you glide along the water. At the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, you can get up close to koalas, kangaroos and watch platypus, sheepdogs, and birds of prey in action. Animal lovers will not want to miss this experience! Check-in is required by 8.45 am, departs at 9am sharp, arriving at Lone Pine Sanctuary 10:15- departing Lone Pine at 1:30pm and arriving back in the city at 2:45pm

What's included

Included

  • General Admission into Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
  • Round-trip cruise

Not included

  • Food and drinks (available to purchase)
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • Koala Moments (Touch a Koala)bookings online

What you'll see and do

  1. The Brisbane River

    You’ll board your boat in Brisbane’s Southbank district and leave the city behind on a relaxing cruise to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Enjoy informative commentary from your captain as you glide along Brisbane’s waterfront, passing from the bustle of the city’s skyscrapers to leafy suburbs with waterside mansions.

    75 minutes here · Admission included

  2. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

    At 10:15am you’ll arrive at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary where you’ll be free to explore for 3 hours. Lone Pine opened in 1927 as a safe refuge for sick, injured, and orphaned koalas, at a time when the species was being culled for the fur trade. Today, Lone Pine remains as a destination not only see native Australian animals, but to also connect and learn, and to leave feeling inspired to make small, positive changes in your daily lives to help protect native wildlife and habitats. Along with koalas and kangaroos, Lone Pine hosts a sheepdog show where you see the dogs round up a herd of sheep, responding to their master’s whistles, calls and signals. You can see owls, kites and sea eagles soar above you at the Birds of Prey show, or marvel at the colorful feathers of the wild lorikeets that fly in twice daily for feedings. Other bird species and a population of Eastern Water Dragons, a lizard that grows up to 3 feet (90cm) long also like to visit Lone Pine’s natural parkland.

    180 minutes here · Admission included

  3. After an action packed exploration of the Sanctuary we start boarding for those of you with tired feet at 12:45pm until 1:30pm when you will embark on a relaxing cruise back to the city. Enjoy the full service of our Cafe/Bar with a chessboard and wine (to purchase on board) or just sit back and listen to the music.

    Pass by without stopping

Where it starts and ends

Meeting point

Brisbane

Check in 8:30 am The pontoon is located on the riverside boardwalk, just outside the Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art Cultural precinct, Southbank.

Hotel pickup

No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

Ends at

Check in 8:30 am The pontoon is located on the riverside boardwalk, just outside the Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art Cultural precinct, Southbank.

Before you book

Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Languages
en
Ticket
Mobile Only
Runs on
Every day
Group size
Up to 9 travelers per booking
Operated by
Koala and River Cruises

Know before you go

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Wheelchair: Cruise is accessible however Lone Pine has a set of 28 steps to climb from the jetty to the entrance
  • No health restrictions apply to this tour

Photos

Family enjoying openair front deckFamily sightseeingKoala and JoeyFeeding the KangaroosKoala and JoeyKoala on a branch

Good to know

Duration
5.5 hours
Free cancellation
Up to 24h before
Minimum age to book
All ages
Availability
Bookable today
Runs on
Every day
Price range
$80 to $158
Hotel pickup
No pickup, meet at start point
Booked in 30 days
594
Verdict
90+ Club

Why this scores 92

The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)86
Review evidence (18% weight)100
Booking momentum (14% weight)100
Value for money (12% weight)100
Listing quality (10% weight)92
Local standing (8% weight)61
Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary: questions travelers ask

Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Brisbane.

How much does Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary cost?

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Prices start at $80 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Brisbane usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

How long does Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary take?

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Plan for about 5.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Brisbane is not rushed.

Is Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary worth it?

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It holds an Outty Ranking of 92 out of 100, which we label "90+ Club". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 1,696 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Brisbane, and how flexible the cancellation terms are. Scoring 90 or above puts it in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.

Can I cancel or reschedule Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary?

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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

Is Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary suitable for kids and families?

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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

How far in advance should I book Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary?

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Around 594 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Brisbane can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

What should I bring or wear?

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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Brisbane and add a light layer if any part of the 5.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

Where does Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary start and how do I get there?

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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Brisbane within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

What are the best things to do in Brisbane?

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On Outty we rank every Brisbane experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include North Stradbroke Island WILDLIFE Adventure Tour from Brisbane, Australia Zoo Day Trip from Brisbane, Ultimate Brisbane Walking Tour (Small-Group, Drink Included). The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

When is the best time to visit Brisbane?

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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

How many days do you need in Brisbane?

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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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