Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary to undergo makeover

It’s always been known for its koalas, but now a famous Brisbane wildlife sanctuary is set for a major foodie transformation.

Koalas have always been the main attraction at Brisbane’s Lone Pine, but now the wildlife sanctuary wants people to come for its food.

The animal park in Fig Tree Pocket, in the western suburbs, is overhauling its culinary offering in a bid to become a dining hotspot for locals and visitors.

A baby koala at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, which is transforming its food offering. Picture: Jamie Hanson

The business will firstly transform its front cafe, which is open to the general public without an admission ticket, with plans to later tackle the restaurant inside, before developing another cafe concept at the front of the precinct as part of what will be a complete rebranding of the sanctuary.

To help with the revolution, Yianni Passaris, owner of Top 50 Queensland cafe Morning After in West End and popular Asian eatery Ping Pong, Newstead, has been hired as the food and beverage consultant.

Sleek and slick: LA dining concept Evra arriving in Newstead

“They’re an institution of Brisbane, only 15 minutes out of the city, and a lot of tourism parks are serving sh-- quality food and I want to change that,” said Mr Passaris.

The cafe at the entry to the park will ditch its menu of frozen lasagnes and bland quiches in favour of a high quality but fast and affordable offering built around the humble toastie.

Restaurateur Yianni Passaris and designer Alex Derlot at Lone Pine Sanctuary's cafe, which they are redesigning. Picture: Liam Kidston.

There will be four gourmet options on the menu – three vegetarian and one with chicken, avocado and cheese – as well as wraps and top quality pastries, such as chocolate croissants and custard danishes.

They will be served alongside HRVST ST juices and 5 Senses coffee, with plenty of alternative mylks available.

“In Fig Tree Pocket there’s hardly any cafes so we want to encourage the locals to come here and have something yummy,” Mr Passaris said.

Top 50 Queensland cafes revealed

Lady Marmalade named People’s Choice Top 50 cafe winner

In charge of the riverside eatery’s fit-out and entire makeover of the sanctuary, including the restaurant, new food concept and gift shop, is Brisbane designer Alex Lotersztain from Derlot studio.

“They have some very ambitious sustainability targets and they wanted to make sure the furniture is Australia made and we’re using recycled materials,” Mr Lotersztain said.

The 120-seat cafe will be filled with recycled aluminium chairs from Mr Lotersztain’s award-winning Les Basic Strap collection, alongside tables created from recycled plastic, all in shades of eucalyptus to match the environment.

The cafe will softly open from this week, with everything to be up and running fully by January 6.