Guest Author - Michelle R. Mangio
For many American visitors to Australia, one of the "must do" activities is to cuddle a koala, and bring home pictures to prove it. Many mistakenly think that they can do this anywhere in Australia, but while you can have your photo taken next to a Koala in most sanctuaries or zoos throughout Australia, it is actually illegal for the public to hold (or cuddle) a koala in any state except Queensland. And while there are certainly many places within the state of Queensland where you can cuddle a furry koala, one of the best places by far is the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.
What makes this place so appealing? For one, it is very convenient to reach. Located in the suburbs of Brisbane, it is reachable by public bus from all the major areas of Brisbane itself, making it remarkably easy for tourists to get to it during a stay in the capital of Queensland. Because of its proximity, many tour operators include it as part of a Brisbane City tour as well. You can also reach it by a boat cruise from the Cultural Centre Pontoon, which is by far the best way to reach the sanctuary.
But it is also the world's first and largest Koala sanctuary, housing over 130 koalas at any time. And while the koalas (both Northern and Southern) are certainly the main attraction, they aren't the only one - hand-feed kangaroos or Rainbow Lorikeet, hold a snake, a baby crocodile, or even a bird of prey, or watch the Sheep Dog Show or Bird of Prey Show. There are also wombats, lizards, echidna, snakes, kookaburra, fruit bats, and even a Tasmanian Devil.
The atmosphere, though, is another large draw - this place doesn't feel like a Zoo like you would see in the U.S.. A lot of work has gone into retaining as much a natural feel as possible, and walking among the shady tree-lined paths from one koala sanctuary to the next makes you feel right at home with them.
My favorite place is, of course, the Nursery, where you can watch all the new moms with their new joeys lounging around. The babies are adorable, and some of them are more than happy to pose for your pictures (or so it seems at least!). A good time to get the best views is right at feeding time, when they replace all of the old eucalyptus leaves with new ones - you have a good fifteen minutes or so to snap photos when all the leaves are gone before the new ones are put in.
To cuddle a koala does cost an additional fee beyond the entrance cost, but it's well worth it - and the proceeds go back to helping the koalas and the sanctuary. Prices start at $15 Australian, and many packages are available. You don't have to worry about the koalas being overworked - they work only 20 minutes, one day per week.
While the Cuddle A Koala station is open most of the day, the other "Cuddle" Stations (snake, crocodile, and birds of prey) are open only during set times, so check in advance if you want a photo with one of them and time your visit accordingly.
The Sanctuary is open every day (except ANZAC Day and Christmas Day), from 8:30am to 4:30pm. There are also two Souvenir Shops, as well as a Cafe for when you get the munchies.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is one of the best places in Australia to cuddle a koala, and well worth the experience. You'll feel right at home with these furry icons of Australia, and really come to appreciate them - and the care that goes into making sure they have a happy, healthy home.
