Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Brisbane (must see)

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is an 18-hectare (44-acre) haven for koalas located in the Brisbane suburb of Fig Tree Pocket in Queensland. Established in 1927, it holds the distinction of being the world's oldest and largest sanctuary dedicated to these adorable marsupials. The sanctuary is home to around 80 different species of Australian wildlife.

The sanctuary derives its name from a single hoop pine tree that was planted by the Clarkson family, the original owners of the 4.6-hectare (11-acre) property. This sanctuary was established to provide a secure haven for sick, injured, and orphaned koalas at a time when they were hunted for their fur. Claude Reid, the founder of the sanctuary, recognized the urgent need to protect this iconic species and initiated efforts to safeguard their natural habitat.

The sanctuary's humble beginnings featured just two koalas named Jack and Jill. Lone Pine garnered international attention during World War II when American visitors, including Douglas MacArthur's wife, flocked to the park to observe native Australian wildlife.

Visitors have the opportunity to hold koalas for a fee, with strict regulations ensuring that each koala is held for no more than thirty minutes per day. The fees collected for souvenir photos contribute to funding new enclosures, research initiatives, and the cultivation of eucalyptus plantations. Additionally, visitors can feed and interact with free-roaming kangaroos in a 5-acre (2.0 hectares) kangaroo reserve, which is home to over 130 of these remarkable creatures.