Brisbane Zoos, Animal & Wildlife Experiences
While Brisbane is a thriving capital city, you’d be surprised at how much wildlife you’ll find. In animal parks, wildlife sanctuaries and sometimes just roaming the outskirts of the suburbs there are several species that call Brisbane area.
There are facilities that work to protect these creatures and educate the public about their habits and the best ways to co-exist. A number of wildlife sanctuaries also help to treat and rehabilitate sick or injured animals and eventually release them back into their natural environment.
Between sanctuaries and zoos there are several places where children and adults alike can enjoy the thrill of getting up close to a huge range of animals. You’ll get to see Australia’s unique native wildlife, as well as foreign species on display in habitats made to simulate their homes.
Australia Zoo
People from all over the world know who Steve Irwin was; that enthusiastic Aussie guy that absolutely loved our diverse wildlife. He fought to save and conserve wildlife and the Australia Zoo is carrying on that mission. The Zoo is home to many Australian creatures that include kangaroos, crocodiles, koalas, dingos and even snakes. Alongside the Australian inhabitants there’s a number of exciting creatures from all over the world. From playful tigers, rhinos and cheetahs to massive Asian elephants there’s something to interest the whole family.
At Australia Zoo there are opportunities for you to get up close and personal with the animals. You can help to feed the animals and get photos with some of your favourite cuddly creatures. Imagine getting a photo of yourself hand feeding a great big elephant. Australia Zoo is about an hour drive north of Brisbane on the Bruce Highway. You can get there by car, train and even a regular bus service called the Croc Express Coach.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Situated within the Brisbane suburb of Fig Tree Pocket, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is home to over 130 koalas since 1927, it's the oldest and largest koala sanctuary in the world! While conservation of koalas was the Sanctuary's initial goal it has accumulated several other animals over the years. You'll get to see and learn about dingos, Tasmanian devils, bats, echidnas, wombats and even the ever shy platypus. You can even get a photo taken as you cuddle a koala. There are school excursion and other educational vocational programs for children to learn about Australia's unique native wildlife.
Dolphin Feeding at Tangalooma
If you want a truly unique experience head to Tangalooma beach at sunset. Every evening a pod of dolphins swim up to the beach and will eat food straight out of your hands. Selected guests can walk out into the water with a Dolphin Care Team member and experience the playfulness of this familiar family.
You'll even notice that each of these playful creatures have distinct personalities as they swim around your legs and vie for attention.
Whale Watching Tours in Brisbane
Moreton Bay in Brisbane is recognised as one of the best whale watching tour areas. The calm waters are a haven that many pods will use as a rest stop as they make their way north or south during the migration seasons. The same pod of whales has often been seen in the bay for 3 days in a row.
Whale watchers can enjoy the smooth boat ride out to where you’re almost guaranteed to make a sighting during migration season. Also keep an eye out for dolphins, green turtles and loggerhead turtles that frolic in the waters of Moreton bay.
Premium Whale Watching Adventure
Witness the majestic beauty of Humpback Whales playing in the Moreton Bay during a premium Brisbane Whale Watching Cruise from Redcliffe. Travelling on the spacious and luxurious ‘Eye Spy’ vessel, you’ll have no trouble staking out the best spot to view the whales. The premium Brisbane whale-watching cruise guarantees you a table with floor to ceiling window viewing as the Humpback Whales splash about. Look out for the iconic whale behaviours such as the breach, tail slap, wave and air blow. As you get comfortable on this whale watching experience, a gourmet picnic featuring chicken, ham and salads are included for when you get peckish.
VIP Whale Watching Adventure
Enjoy the VIP treatment aboard this Brisbane Whale Watching Cruise from Redcliffe with exclusive seating and a gourmet picnic lunch while viewing the whales. Step aboard the luxurious ‘Eye Spy’ Vessel captained by Kerry Lopez - Australia’s only female whale watching captain. In your VIP area limited to a maximum of 30 guests on the mid-deck, enjoy elevated viewing as the majestic Humpback Whales rest, play and bond with their young in Moreton Bay. Look out for their incredible breaches and blows within metres of the vessel. VIP guests are also treated to a priority serving of lunch and a behind the scenes view of the Captain’s wheelhouse.
Moreton Bay Whale watching with Dolphin Feeding from Brisbane
Head to Tangalooma Island Resort on this Moreton Bay Cruise from Brisbane to enjoy a whale watching cruise and dolphin feeding program at dusk.
Begin the day with a scenic cruise across Moreton Bay to the island where the whale watching adventure begins. After your three hour whale watching cruise enjoy a tasty lunch, take advantage of the island’s resort facilities while you wait for the sunset dolphin feeding program.
Brisbane Whale Watching Cruise with Lunch from Redcliffe
Join this 4.5 hour Brisbane whale watching cruise from Redcliffe and witness majestic Southern Humpback Whales on their annual migration between June and November in the Moreton Bay Marine Park. During the cruise, soak in the views of nearby Moreton Island while enjoying a delicious cold buffet lunch of Tiger Prawns, Ham, Roast Chicken, salads and bread rolls. The Brisbane Whale Watching Cruise departs from Redcliffe Jetty daily from 10am to 2.30pm.
