Day 14: Friday 16 January 2026

Today's stop was Brisbane.  We docked early so first job was to try to get back on the VPN and download Traitors which, after a few false starts we did.

We'd booked an excursion today which was a tour of Brisbane and a visit to the Lone Pine koala sanctuary.  It was a long journey from the port into the city and that, with the city tour seemed to go on forever.  We were all pleased to get out of the coach at Mount Coot Tha for a great view of the city.

This was our third visit to Australia and we had never seen a koala so we were excited to be going to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.  We have certainly seen koalas now. There are around 100 koalas and they were easily visible,  chilling in the trees, munching on eucalyptus leaves and sleeping.  We even saw a mum with a joey on her back.

Lone Pine was amazing.  There were large lizards all over.  There was also a platypus who poked his head out very briefly from under a rock.

It was then time for our koala meet. We were told that the koala do 30 minute stints and that they get the best eucalyptus leaves. Usually the koalas are happy but occasionally something will upset them and they climb down the tree. Most of the koalas were bred in captivity and are more sociable.  They have some rescues who they try to eventually return to the wild but it's not always possible.

Our koala was an 8 year old female called Milton. She was so placid and happy to be stroked.  Her fur was unbelievably soft.

We then went to an enormous area where there were kangaroos and emus roaming free.  They didn't seemed to be at all fazed by humans and were happy to be fed and stroked - well not the emus.  We gave them a wide berth!

We so enjoyed this visit.  As well as koalas, kangaroos, emus and lizards, we saw a kookaburra, bats, parrots and a little possum.

The journey back to the ship again took us through the city. We passed the Gabba but couldn't really see it.  Brisbane looked a very nice city and it would have been nice to have a walk around but time didn't allow. Brisbane is hosting the 2032 Olympics.

We got back to the ship for a late afternoon tea.  It was a lovely sunny evening as we set sail.

Dingo - not a dog!