A trip to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Brisbane

[slimboyfat]

Apologies to Jogear.....I did say I wouldn't start a thread on Lone Pine as he has his own pics but can't work out how to upload them....but, well life is too short and I didnt go there and take these pics just to leave them in my camera

Despite feeling a bit hungover after a few beers with Jogear and Davearn at the Breakfast Creek Hotel, I decided to make the trip to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

I was in Brisbane for work, but it was one of those times where I am stuck in a place waiting for a ship to arrive. After a couple of days just beating off in my room I suppose it was time to have a look at the place.

My hotel was The Point. Nice enough place, some kind of suite room which included a washer and dryer in the living room. Most importantly there is a balcony for smoking. Was paying about Aus $200 a night.




Anyway its a trip across the river to the city, so rather than taking a taxi (about 30 minutes from the city according to the Lone Pine website) I thought it might be a nice idea to take a ferry to the city, stroll about a bit and then take a bus to Lone Pine.

The ferry is part of the city's public transport system, so I paid Aus$5.10 for a day ticket for zones 1-3, and that included the ferry and the buses both ways. Bargain.

[slimboyfat]

So I boarded the ferry at the Dockside ferry stop, about 5 mins walk from the hotel. It was about a 20 minute ride to Eagle Street ferry terminal in the city, and here are the pics what I took on the way. The weather was perfect, and the ferry had seats upstairs in the open air in which to enjoy it.



^The Dockside ferry terminal with The Point hotel in the background













^ Story Bridge, the alternative to taking the ferry to the city from Kangaroo Point.



^ Passing another Cityferry



^So I managed to get on the right boat and arrived at Eagle Street Pier

[slimboyfat]

After taking in a bit of the scenery at the riverside I took a walk into the city to the bus stop at Adelaide Street to take bus 445 to Lone Pine. Quite a good looking city in my opinion.















If I am not wrong this is Anzac Square, with Central Station behind. Anyway I had a McDonalds at the station as I was a bit peckish, the bus was due soon and they have quarterpounders here which were taken off the menu in Singapore a few years back .





^ Have seen a few of these birds around in Brisbane. Looks like some kind of wading bird but seems to have adapted well to scavenging.

The bus turned up on time, and then followed an uneventful journey to Lone Pine.

[slimboyfat]

The entrance fee for an adult is Aus$22

So whats there?

Well they have birds that can talk



They have bats that just hang there



but i guess most people came for the koalas











^ For 15 bucks you can have your picture taken whilst cuddling a koala. I didn't.




They also have some Australian snakes on display. I have no idea what this one is, but it was the only one showing any signs of life



There is also a farmyard section for the kiddies and Welsh people



For me, probably the best bit is that they have a place where you can go in and meet some kangaroos

[slimboyfat]

In that same section they also have emus (which I now don't like)

See how friendly this one is



Well a bit later two of them had a bit of an altercation, which I took a picture of



Then the one on the right suddenly took a dislike to me and charged me down. Ofcourse if there hadn't been children present I would have wupped that emus ass, but as it is I was forced to beat a hasty retreat, much to the delight of everyone watching.

[slimboyfat]

A few of vids for you to get the feel of the place (if it works)





And the last one features Asians breaking the rules. i was really hoping to see a koala go mental but unfortunately one of the zoo keepers spoilt the fun.

[slimboyfat]

The crocodile exhibit was a bit disappointing



and wombats don't really do much



And they only have two dingoes



but anyway I found Lone Pine to be well worth a visit. Mine was only a reconnaisance mission really as I hope to come back here with the family next year - if only so they can see me get chased by an irate emu. I still have to try and top the Anodard Hotel incident that they so enjoyed previously.

[jandajoy]

That's really nice. Good report and great photos. Brisi's a nice spot. Thanks Slim.

[slimboyfat]

I could certainly live in Brisbane and will be hoping that something comes up at the BP refinery

[Gerbil]

The crocodile exhibit was a bit disappointing

You should have lobbed a koala in there to make it a more interesting shot.

[TizMe]

Next time, when you take the family to Lone Pine, take the boat trip all the way to the sanctuary. It takes about 1 1/2 hours but is well worth it. Here's a couple of photos that I took along the way about 2 years ago.




Here's one that I took in 1984. When I first visited LP they used to have a ranger, a german shepherd and a koala that would come down to greet the boat on arrival.

[slimboyfat]

^^ yup. and a crocodile

^thanks. yeah those are 1984 shorts alright. They are still popular in Karratha and Port Hedland

[nedwalk]

sorry i missed you for a beer mate, it looks like you got a fair look of brissy and them stinky noisy koalas, staying at kangaroo point is a good area too not far from the hallowed turf of the gabba, you should have went for a stroll down the road to the story bridge pub anothe good watering hole, maybe the next time your in town

[Gerbil]

^^ yup. and a crocodile

^thanks. yeah those are 1984 shorts alright. They are still popular in Karratha and Port Hedland

Bugger, I copied the wrong photo It was supposed to be the one above, of the pool with alleged crocodiles in it.

[davearn]

Nice pics, SBF. Look forward to catching up again when and if you are in town next and I promise to include you too, Ned !

[JoGeAr]

^ Have seen a few of these birds around in Brisbane. Looks like some kind of wading bird but seems to have adapted well to scavenging.


That's an ibis.

Ibis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



Rather than start a new thread, I'll just add my photos to this one (tonight).

[nedwalk]

^ yep and their a smelly pain in the arse, i am constantly chaseing them out of the yard, not to mention when you go to the dump the bastards are every where, a true pest much the same as those little miner birds!

[baldrick]

miner birds!

these ones ?



Myna - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[nedwalk]

yep them,s the bastards, wheres me air gun?

[slimboyfat]

yeah myna birds are a pain here in singapore too. they even fly into my kitchen looking for food and then have a crap.

[sabang]

For 15 bucks you can have your picture taken whilst cuddling a koala. I didn't.

Jeez, in the Gorge wildlife sanctuary in the Adelaide Hills it's free.

[davearn]

^Would pay $15 for a cuddle with her though !

[Frankenstein]

^ Have seen a few of these birds around in Brisbane. Looks like some kind of wading bird but seems to have adapted well to scavenging.

It's an Australian White Ibis. EDIT: See somebody else beat me to it.