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

Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Outty Ranking 90 4.8 · 1,725 traveler reviews5.5 hoursFrom $9990+ Club
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Outty Ranking

90/100

90+ Club. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.8/5

Based on 1,725 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 $99 per person. It scores 90 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “90+ Club”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 1,725 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
90 / 100
Rating
4.8/5 (1,725)
Duration
5.5 hours
From
$99 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 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 you get

    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

    Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, photo 2Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, photo 3Family enjoying openair front deck, Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala SanctuaryBrisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, photo 5Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, photo 6Koala on a branch, Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 1,724 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    2 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Traveler reviews

    1,724 verified traveler reviews for Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    1,415
    4 star
    243
    3 star
    44
    2 star
    16
    1 star
    6
    Sort
    Arlene_J · October 2026

    Fantastic day out!

    Amazing trip. Great service on the ferry with an array on refreshments available to purchase. Great commentary on local area provided along the way. Excellent visit to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary with option to purchase Koala experience & feed kangaroos.

    via Viator

    Jean_H · October 2026

    It was a peaceful cruise...

    It was a peaceful cruise along the Brisbane river. Many Koalas at the sanctuary! If you like Koalas, this is a place to visit.

    via Viator

    Adventurer669634 · October 2026

    River cruise

    An absolute fabulous trip even the weather held off

    via Tripadvisor

    Joseph_C · October 2026

    Great way to see the sanctuary

    Enjoyable boat trip with useful commentary - would be good to have a bit more time in the sanctuary!

    via Viator

    Angela_E · October 2026

    Koalas rule

    The sanctuary makes sure the koalas are eating when you are there and it’s makes them active and engaged There are other shows to help you learn about Australia flor and fauna

    via Viator

    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
    $99 to $158
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    604
    Verdict
    90+ Club

    Why this scores 90

    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)97
    Listing quality (10% weight)82
    Local standing (8% weight)58
    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 $99 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 90 out of 100, which we label "90+ Club". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 1,725 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 604 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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.

    What is included in Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary?

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    Included: General Admission into Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary; and Round-trip cruise. Not included: Food and drinks (available to purchase); Hotel pick-up and drop-off; and Koala Moments (Touch a Koala)bookings online. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary?

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    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 is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary offered in?

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    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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    The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Wheelchair: Cruise is accessible however Lone Pine has a set of 28 steps to climb from the. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary if the weather is bad?

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    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary?

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    Across 1,725 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

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