Nocturnal Precinct and accessible boardwalk to open at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Brisbane’s renowned Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary has secured a $1.2 million investment from the Queensland Government’s 2020 Growing Tourism Infrastructure Fund (GTI) for a new Nocturnal Precinct and one-kilometre-long accessible boardwalk opening from 1st November 2023.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary’s Nocturnal Precinct is predicted to increase visitor numbers to 500,000 a year by 2025, generating an extra $3.2 million for Brisbane’s visitor economy.

Guided precinct tours are focused on seven night-time exhibit spaces and 10 nocturnal species, half of which are new to the Sanctuary.

They include Tree Kangaroos, Potoroos, Pademelons, Bandicoots and Bettongs.

Portable thermal imaging cameras help visitors locate marsupials in their night-time environment without the need for disruptive flashlights.

QLD Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe shared “Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary’s Nocturnal Precinct is an awe-inspiring opportunity for international visitors to shine a light on the secret nightlife of Australia’s iconic marsupials.

“Opened almost 100 years ago as a koala refuge, Lone Pine Sanctuary has an enduring reputation among overseas and Australian visitors as a Brisbane bucket list destination.

“Lone Pine’s night-time precinct opens up an entirely new dimension in marsupial experiences for visitors to discover in one of Queensland’s great tourism destinations.”

Lone Pine General Manager Lyndon Discombe added “We’d like to extend our sincerest thanks and gratitude to the Queensland Government for supporting our vision in developing a transformative and refreshing tourism experience for the Brisbane region.

“Australia has some of the world’s most unique wildlife and being able to discover their natural behaviours after dark will be an experience like no other – it’s a secret world some of our staff haven’t even seen!”

“In addition to the night experience, we’re very excited to offer our animals beautiful new exhibit spaces, perfectly reflecting their natural habitat. The new precinct is situated among our working eucalyptus plantation, so although you are only 12km from the CBD, it feels like you’re in the middle of the Australian bush.”

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary’s nocturnal tours for 20 visitors at a time will run twice nightly, three nights a week.

Bookings are essential.