Brisbane's 5 favourite animal experiences

25 August 2015

You’ll have the kids eating out of the palm of your hand as you let them run wild with some of Brisbane’s best animal experiences.

North Stradbroke Island – spot a whale

During whale-watching season (June-October), North Stradbroke Island boasts some of the best land-based vantage points across the East Coast. You can stand on the headlands at Point Lookout and watch whales breaching, dolphins riding the waves and see turtles through the azure oceanic waters. Hire some binoculars from Fishes Cafe and keep your eye out for the rare white whale, Migaloo.

The highlight of any visit to Moreton Island is the opportunity to hand-feed one of the wild bottlenose dolphins that visit the shores each evening at sunset. The gentle and playful creatures are sure to have the kids impressed for weeks. All overnight guests at Tangalooma Island Resort have the opportunity to wade into the water and feed these amazing creatures.

The Ipswich Nature Centre is home to the world-class Frank Manthey Bilby Burrow where endangered bilbies and spinifex hopping mice can be viewed through a specially designed enclosure. The centre also has a range of exotic and native animals, and children can feed farm animals at set times during the day.

Lone Pine is the first and largest koala sanctuary in the world. Located on the Brisbane River, more than 130 koalas live here, alongside kangaroos, dingoes, wombats and many other Australian natives. For the little ones who like to get up close and personal, you can cuddle a koala any time throughout the day.

Jaws will drop at O’Reilly’s when the kids see awesome aerial predators, including owls, falcons and eagles in free flight as they perform amazing displays of natural aerobatics. Afterwards, you’ll have a chance to meet the "stars" of the Birds of Prey Show.