Best Family Activities in Brisbane: Lone Pine, South Bank and the Science Scene

Brisbane offers outstanding family attractions spread across the city and surroundings, from the wildlife experiences at Lone Pine to the beach and museum precinct of South Bank and the theme parks of the Gold Coast corridor just 1 hour south. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary on Fig Tree Pocket Road, 11 km from the CBD, is the world's largest koala sanctuary with over 70 koalas available for holding and photography alongside wombats, kangaroos, echidnas and over 100 native bird species. South Bank Parklands has the free Streets Beach swimming lagoon, the Queensland Museum (with natural history, science and technology collections) and QAGOMA Gallery of Modern Art all on a single riverfront precinct that is walkable from the CBD. The Sciencentre at Queensland Museum is a dedicated hands-on science experience for children. The Brisbane Zoo at Alma Park in Dakabin (40 minutes north) is a smaller private zoo with lions, meerkats and close-encounter native animal experiences. The Lone Pine ferry from the CityCat terminal at the CBD is an alternative approach, making the journey through the Brisbane River an experience in itself. Australia Zoo at Beerwah, 60 minutes north on the Sunshine Coast, is one of Queensland's most popular family destinations with crocodile shows and Steve Irwin's wildlife park.