Brisbane's Lone Pine wildlife sanctuary to end koala holding experience

The sanctuary says the decision was made in response to feedback from visitors wanting to spend more time with the koalas without necessarily holding them.

A popular koala sanctuary in Brisbane that has played host to sporting celebrities and politicians will no longer allow visitors to cuddle the native marsupials.

Lone Pine, based in Fig Tree Pocket on the city's west side, has announced an end to its koala holding experience in response to "increasingly strong" feedback from visitors.

The sanctuary will introduce in its place a 'close-up' experience with koalas that it says will still allow visitors to be in the "presence" of the iconic Australian animal.

In a statement, general manager Lyndon Discombe said there had been a shift among local and international guests to experience wildlife up close, but not necessarily personally.

"We have absolutely seen an increase in demand for educational programs and guided experiences, focusing on the ability to witness the natural behaviours of koalas," he said.

"Once you see them up close and in their wonderful natural state, we hope our guests love and respect them even more."

Lone Pine was established in 1927 and has long been a popular tourist destination in Brisbane.

In its statement the wildlife sanctuary said it had received feedback from visitors wanting to spend longer with the koalas "without necessarily holding them".

Lone Pine officially ended the koala holding experience on July 1 and says it will start taking bookings for its the close-up experience in the coming weeks.

In 2014, during the Brisbane G20 summit, the spouses of world leaders cuddled koalas while visiting Lone Pine.