Experience the local wildlife of Brisbane and South East Queensland!
City and city fringe
- Mirimar Wildlife Cruise - Take a relaxing, fully commentated cruise on the historic MV Mirimar. Board at the Cultural Centre pontoon in front of the State Library at 9:30am for 10am departure and cruise down the Brisbane River for a 2 hour stop at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Arrive back in the city at 2:45pm.
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (15 minutes from downtown Brisbane) - Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, with over 130 koalas, is recognised by the Guinness World Records as being the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary. Set on 50 acres next to the Brisbane River, you can get up close and personal with Australia’s native flora and fauna. Cuddle and have your photograph taken with a koala, feed kangaroos, wallabies and noisy rainbow lorikeets. You can even hold a snake!
- Find some of Australia's largest flying fox colonies on Indooroopilly Island in the Brisbane River. Enjoy a cruise on the Brisbane River, and witness thousands of flying foxes fly out at sunset.
- Brisbane has lots of undeveloped green spaces where wildlife can be spotted. Read our guide to Brisbane’s forests for more information.
Further afield - Greater Brisbane Regions
Half-Day
- Bird watching (90 minutes from downtown Brisbane) - Boonah is a haven for birdwatchers. If you are an enthusiast, take the themed “Feathered Friends Trail” Heritage Drive Tour available from the Visitor Information Centre.
- Queens Park Nature Centre (25 minutes south west of downtown Brisbane) - This farm and native wildlife nature centre offers the chance to get close to wildlife in Ipswich. Free admission.
- Pelican feeding frenzy each day at 10am in Pelican Park, Clontarf - 35 minutes north of Brisbane. Read our Redcliffe self drive tour for more information.
Full day
- Alma Park Zoo (30 minutes north of downtown Brisbane) - Get up close and personal with both Australian and exotic animals such as baboons, spider monkeys, bears and water buffaloes in surroundings much like their natural habitats. Don’t forget some of the more unusual creatures including cockroaches and boa constrictors.
- If you are serious about wildlife and the environment, and have 1-3 days to spare, the experts at Araucaria Ecotours can introduce you to Australian wildlife and ecosystems with day tours and 2-3 day tours from Brisbane.
- Australia Zoo (90 minutes north of Brisbane) - This fascinating wildlife park is home to over 1000 animals, daily demonstrations and fantastic gardens. Enjoy hands-on experiences and learn about native and endangered animals.
- Glow Worm Caves (45 minutes south of downtown Brisbane) - While possibly quite different to your normal day out, the Glow-Worm Caves, located at Cedar Creek Estate Vineyard and Winery, North Tamborine, make for an interesting and informative underground excursion. From what glow worms are to why they glow, you’ll find it all out on a guided tour of the caves.
- Moreton Bay Marine Park (30 minutes from downtown Brisbane) - From bush settings to the Moreton Bay Marine Park, the Redlands area boasts some of the region’s most exciting wildlife encounters. Be amazed when you spot whales, dolphins, dugongs, manta rays, birds and koalas.
- Australia's only polar bear colony is at Sea World, to Brisbane's south. Experience the wonders of marine life, alongside rides, shows and attractions. You can even get face to face with sharks and other amazing creatures on a Sea World Animal Adventure!
- Tangalooma Dolphin Feeding - Take a relaxing 75 minute cruise from Brisbane across Moreton Bay to the resort on unspoiled Moreton Island. Take your pick of dolphin feeding or joining the marine eco cruise. Experience personal encounters with inshore dolphins as they swim up to the beach. Or journey south along the western coastline of Moreton Island in search of wildlife. You may spot dugongs, dolphins, green sea turtles, sea cucumbers, stingrays and a wide variety of bird life.
