Where to see animals in Brisbane

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Visit if you love: Australian animals and hand-feeding kangaroos.

Famous for: Their koalas! Over 100 koalas call Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary home.

Highlights: Free Flight Raptor Show, Sheep Dog Show and their incredible platypus exhibit.

Tip: If you pre-buy on their website, you can save 10% off daily passes.

Location: 708 Jesmond Road, Fig Tree Pocket

Australia Zoo

Visit if you love: Animals from all around the world (and crocodiles).

Famous for: Their incredible croc show in the Crocoseum (also features native birds).

Highlights: The constant message of conservation throughout the park.

Tip: Australia Zoo is huge! Start the day by making your way to the African area and work your way back, so at the end of the day tired little humans have less distance to walk.

Location: 1638 Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah

Wildlife HQ

Visit if you love: Tiny monkeys! They have so many cute little teeny tiny primate varieties!

Famous for: Taking in the animals from Alma Park Zoo and being located at the Big Pineapple.

Highlights: The eclectic range of animals, from native animals through to binturongs, marmosets and tiny tamarins.

Tip: Wildlife HQ offers a range of animal encounters, with 14 unique animals including boas, tamarins, dingoes and sun bears.

Location: 76 Nambour Connection Road, Woombye

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Visit if you love: Australian animals and a conservation focus.

Highlights: Their Lost Valley rainforest precinct and their wild lorikeet feeding.

Famous for: Their focus on conservation, with their Wildlife Hospital treating more than 11,000 animals last year.

Tip: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary offers some amazing full-day school holiday programs.

Location: 28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin

David Fleay Widlife Park

Visit if you love: Australian animals and would like your kids to see an endangered bilby.

Highlights: Their Nocturnal House and Creatures of the Night Show.

Famous for: Wally, their resident platypus.

Tip: Children under 3 are free!

Location: The corner of Loman Lane and West Burleigh Road in West Burleigh

Top Tips for Visiting

• Visit the zoo or sanctuary website first to look into ticket deals and pre-paid options.

• Check their calendar of events and map before you go and plan your day.

• Pack water bottles, snacks, hats and suncream (a backpack is a good idea).

• Wear comfortable shoes.

• Aim to be there on opening or towards closing as some animals will be more active in the cooler parts of the day.

• If you plan to visit more than once, check out memberships or annual passes as this can often provide better value.

• Pre-plan the gift shop rules. Set a budget or have a ‘no buy’ policy, but make it clear before you go for less tears when you leave.