Brisbane, Australia

Sunny. Laid back.  Modern.  Energetic.  Koalas.  Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, may be less famous than Sydney or Melbourne but it’s worth adding to your Australia itinerary if you like sub-tropical temperatures and want to hold a koala.  (Holding koalas is illegal in some states of Australia but it is permitted in Queensland.)  Here are some tips and recommendation for visiting Brisbane and holding a koala.

SEE + DO

South Bank is a very pleasant area along the Brisbane River with lots of restaurants, cafes, bars, and outdoor activities going on.  It has parklands, a man made beach, and even a ferris wheel (“Wheel of Brisbane”).  An ideal place to spend a leisurely day or afternoon.

If you’re interested in art, there are lots of galleries like the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art in South Bank and also in Fortitude Valley.

You’ll also see colorful art in unexpected public areas, like pretty mosaics on the sidewalks and painted electrical boxes.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary was the highlight of my visit to Brisbane (and Australia).  Holding a koala has been on my bucket list for awhile.  J  If you’re interested in doing this too, read on for my experience and tips.

Getting there:  The sanctuary is about 12 km/15 minute drive from central Brisbane.  It’s accessible by bus and there’s also a ferry.  We took a taxi which was probably the quickest and most convenient but the ferry seems like a fun option if you have more time for a leisurely cruise (the ride is a little bit over an hour and travels through historic areas and neighborhoods with commentary).

Costs:  There's an admission fee plus an extra fee to have your photo taken with the koala.  I think the costs are totally worth the experience.  Don’t skip this and regret it later.  Take comfort knowing that your fee is going towards the koalas’ care, food, research and conservation.  Also, if you purchase a photo, you’re allowed to take some photos with your own camera. 

Holding the koala:  If you want to get a photo holding a koala, try to arrive early to avoid long lines. When it’s your turn, the koala handler will tell you where to stand and where to place your hands.  The photographer will take some quick photos which will be ready in a short amount of time.  The whole experience goes by very fast so savor every second! 

In addition to koalas, Lone Pine has a wide variety of other wildlife like kangaroos and emus in open areas where you can get up close to them.  There’s a café onsite if you need a snack or beverage.

 

EAT + DRINK

Eagle Street Pier is an area with a number of modern restaurants with nice river views like 

Blackbird Bar & Grill.  Good food and classy ambiance.  The bar seems to be a popular spot for drinks, very high energy and crowded.

South Bank is great for dining and walking around before or after you eat.  Numerous good casual restaurants along Grey Street and Little Stanley, including international options like Greek street food and Japanese.  Stop by Mr. Fitz's for ice cream.

South Bank also many cafes here where you can sit and sip while you enjoy the sunshine.  My Sweetopia is a cute little spot to have coffee and sweets at one of the colorful tables outside.

A yummy late night snack I got at the local convenience store: a chocolate covered ice cream bar from Connoisseur with Kangaroo Island honey and pistachios.

SHOP

Queen Street Mall is a large shopping hub with everything from luxury European brands to budget-friendly international brands and Australian department stores like Myer and David Jones.  There’s even a Target here.

For independent shops and boutiques, head to Fortitude Valley.

SOUVENIR IDEAS

I got a couple Koala souvenirs from the Lone Pine gift shop: a travel neck pillow and a reusable bag which came in handy for carrying stuff during our trip.

TIPS

Brisbane offers a free ferry service called City Hopper.  A fun way to see the city from the river.