Thermal imaging technology offers rare look at Australian wildlife

A whole new wildlife experience is now on offer at Brisbane’s world-famous Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary with the opening of its Nocturnal Precinct and boardwalk.

Funded in part by the 2020 Growing Tourism Infrastructure Fund (GTI), the $1.2 million Department of Tourism investment is expected to help boost Sanctuary visitor numbers to 500,000 a year by 2025.

With an overall project cost of $1.8 million, the precinct is expected to generate an additional annual overnight spend of $3.2 million and has supported 14 jobs during construction and created 11 new ongoing tourism roles.

Lone Pine General Manager Lyndon Discombe said the new precinct was like no other.

“Australia has some of the world’s most unique wildlife and being able to discover their natural behaviours after dark is a secret world some of our staff haven’t even seen,” Mr Discombe said.

“We’d like to extend our sincerest thanks and gratitude to the Queensland Government for supporting our vision in developing a transformative and refreshing tourism experience for the Brisbane region.”

Mr Discombe said not only was the nighttime experience an exciting innovation, but staff were also delighted to welcome five entirely new species to the Sanctuary.

Using portable thermal imaging camera technology visitors can now explore the after-dark habitats of 10 nocturnal species including Tree Kangaroo, Potoroos, Pademelons, Bandicoots and Bettongs.

The Nocturnal Precinct tours, which wind their way through the Sanctuary’s working eucalyptus plantation, run twice nightly three times a week.