Best Koala and Kangaroo Encounters — Our Top 9

1.Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,522 reviews · from $82Our pick

Board at Southbank for a narrated Brisbane River cruise to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Enjoy three hours with koalas, kangaroos, platypus, birds, and reptiles, then return by boat. Dennis and the crew are praised for friendly service, with snacks and drinks available onboard.

“Very good tour and cruise. Lots of koala and other wildlife. The smell of eucalyptus is strong but nice.”

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2.Brisbane River Cruise and Koala Sanctuary Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,397 reviews · 5h 30m · from $81

Cruise from Southbank to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary aboard Mirimar II, with commentary from captains such as Robby and Robert. You get three hours for koalas, kangaroos, platypuses, raptors, and sheepdogs, then return by boat. Food, drinks, and koala encounters cost extra.

“Everything was great! Lovely & informative boat trip & the sanctuary was amazing with lots of animal interaction. 5*”

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3.Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Day Pass

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 512 reviews · from $42

Spend 2 to 5 hours at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, about 20 minutes from Brisbane, meeting koalas, hand-feeding kangaroos and lorikeets, and watching raptors and sheepdogs at work. Daily keeper talks and shows are included, while koala encounters and kangaroo food cost extra.

“We had a great time at Lone Pine Sanctuary. It was amazing to see all the animals. Everywhere we walked there were Koala enclosures. It felt like we were in a Koala Forest. The rangers were helpful and the free shows were a treat. The only disappointment was the photo moments, you had to pay $35 per family member to meet a Koala up close and you had to use you your OWN phone or camera. No professional photo was available. Such a rip off.”

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4.Brisbane: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Day Pass

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 358 reviews · 1 day · from $41

Spend a full day at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, where you can see more than 100 koalas, hand-feed kangaroos, watch keeper talks, and visit animals such as wombats, dingoes, reptiles, and platypus. Entry includes the free-range Kangaroo Reserve, while food, kangaroo feed, and special wildlife encounters cost extra.

“It was one of the best mornings of my life. Animated animals because I was in the morning and healers taking care of them. Too bad I didn’t see that there was a program with activities at specific times, I think it would have been even better!”

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5.Breakfast with Koalas at WILD LIFE Zoo Darling Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 320 reviews · 2 hours · from $63

Meet koalas at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo during an early keeper-led tour, then eat a hot buffet breakfast beside gum trees, banksias, and the animals. The two-hour program includes a koala talk, refreshments, a photo, and all-day zoo entry. Past guides have included Ash, Trey, Bailey, Alie, and Emma.

“It was a fabulous morning. Very informative guide took is around the zoo, learned things I didn't know before. The Koalas were so cute, and fascinating to watch. They were being weighed the day we went and one was bring really cheeky. Great choice of food for the breakfast. Thank you wild life zoo.”

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6.Port Stephens: Koala Sanctuary General Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 84 reviews · 1 day · from $19Best value

Spend a few hours or a full day at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary. Follow the 250m Story Walk, look into the Koala Hospital, and take the 225m SKYwalk through the treetops. Staff such as Ken and Mel add useful local insight, while your $19 ticket supports koala care.

“Such a beautiful place to go and visit. The koalas were either eating or sleeping but we’re cute. I adopted a koala called Tilly Highly recommend visiting this place”

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7.Blue Mountains Tour w/Lunch: Scenic World, Zoo & Koala Photo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · 11 hours · from $176Top rated

Spend 11 hours with an English-speaking guide exploring the Three Sisters, Katoomba Cascades, Cahill’s Lookout, and Scenic World. You’ll ride three attractions, eat a pub lunch, visit Sydney Zoo for a free koala photo, then return to Circular Quay by ferry. Guides include Ronnie, Piotr, Steve, and Karen.

“We had a fantastic day, Ronnie our driver and tour guide was very knowledgeable and shared some great information. She kept the tour moving and interesting. Her bubbly personality and sense of humour made the day fun. Such great value for money, sooo much to do in one day and non of it boring, Ronnie even managed to make the day move smoothly to avoid the challenge of the weather conditions. Would highly recommend.”

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8.Full Day Private Melbourne Tour with enchanting Koala Encounters.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews

Spend about eight hours with Mark’s Private Melbourne Tours, traveling by private vehicle from your hotel to Melbourne landmarks, St Kilda, Brighton Beach, Hosier Lane, and Moonlit Sanctuary. You set the pace, avoid public transport, and finish with close Australian wildlife encounters.

“We had an amazing time with Mark brought us to a lot of different sites(churches, World War sites,theaters,parlamentry building, etc) and on the journey, gave us such a detailed explanation of the rich history behind these beautiful sites. The Read more”

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9.Private Shore Excursions with Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Visit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews

Start at Brisbane International Cruise Terminal with local guide Gary, then visit Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Mt Coot-tha, South Bank, Kangaroo Point, and Wilson’s Outlook. Your private, air-conditioned vehicle and flexible route make this a useful choice for cruise groups wanting wildlife, city views, and easy port transfers.

“Gary was on time, courteous, friendly, and everything you would want from a tour guide. He had an itinerary in mind but quickly deviated when we expressed our interests. It was great that he came in the sanctuary with us which made it much easier to navigate. Highly recommend as your guide to the sanctuary and the city.”

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