The Koala and River Cruise is a memorable journey on the Brisbane River to the renowned Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. This popular cruise has been taking locals and visitors to the park for over 60 years and is a "must do" experience during your stay in Brisbane.

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. After about an hour you’ll arrive at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary where you’ll be free to explore for 2.5 hours.

Lone Pine is the world’s largest koala sanctuary, with more than 130 Koalas on site. You can choose to cuddle a koala, take photos with the adorable marsupials (own expense), and perhaps catch a talk by the koala’s keepers.

You can also feed the kangaroos and wallabies; more than 100 of them live in a 5-acre (2 hectare) reserve at Lone Pine. Or head over to the Platypus House where you may get a chance to see the shy platypus, a native to Australia.

Along with koalas and kangaroos, Lone Pine hosts a sheepdog show where you see the hardworking dogs round up a herd of sheep, responding to their master’s whistles, calls and hand signals. You can see owls, kites and sea eagles soar above you at the Birds of Prey show.

If you work up an appetite during the day, you’ll be able to purchase meals on the river cruise boat (own expense). After 2.5 hours at Lone Pine, you’ll re-board your boat and be returned to Southbank in Brisbane to conclude your tour.