'Lone Pine' Koala Sanctuary - Fig Tree Pocket - QLD - Australia - News Article Locations on Waymarking.com

'Lone Pine'
CA Brisbane Beauty Spot
By B.P.
IT is a beauteous spot this, on the bank of the Brisbane River, a few miles from the city, quaintly-named, not after that Lone Pine of tragic memories, but after a stately old tree — a solitary pine — which appears to guard, in sentinel fashion, the entrance from the river.
Lone Pine has its history, but its history is a peaceful and not a tragic one.
In 1850 the property, now owned by Mr. C. Reid was given by the Government to three settlers from overseas, each being granted ten acres. Cotton and sugar flourished here under their hands; a travelling sugar mill crushed the sugar.
Later on the property was bought by a dairy farmer, who was known to fame because he possessed the first cream separator in that part of the world.
So many interested folk came to see, not 'men and cities,' but to gaze on that wonder thing— the cream separator — that the owner decided to make a charge and to hand the money, which proved to be consider able, to Dr. Barnardo's Orphan Homes, in which he was greatly interested.
When the present owner, delighted with the natural beauties of this spot, purchased the property, he saw its possibilities as a kind of happy hunting-ground for pleasure seekers.

LONE PINE, with its exquisite river view, its stately old forest trees — the blue and bloodwood gums, its casuarinas, its wattle trees often beauteous with golden blossoms — had all the background needed, but the owner decided to assist Nature by art.
He first built a charming little tea-room, facing the river, cool and inviting-looking, with its green rustic chairs and tables, a truly delightful spot with its entrancing view of the wooded banks and calm waters of the river.
Under the stately old trees he placed seats for 'faltering age and whispering lovers made,' far from the madding crowd, indeed.
Many modern conveniences were added; but perhaps the most interesting part of Lone Pine is its miniature zoo, a zoo not estricted for space, for there are over thirty acres in this lovely spot.
Surely never were there happier native bears than here, for the owner has made a study of these animals, and he is one of the few who have reared them successfully.
Desiring to do this — for he loved the quaint little creatures — Mr. Reid liberated one of these pets of his and followed its every movement.
He discovered that, after sampling one kind of gum leaves for some length of time, the little animal made its way for some distance to another species of gum tree, and feasted contentedly there.
Taking a lesson from this, the owner of Lone Pine treats the little animals to one particular kind of eucalyptus, then, after a little time has elapsed, he alters the diet to another kind, for evidently the native bear appreciates variety in a mild way.

THERE are ten healthy koalas at Lone Pine, some of which have been born in captivity, and the owner has not lost one. And this is due to the genius which is the capacity for taking infinite pains, for Mr. Reid spares neither time nor trouble in securing the right food for his pets. At one time one of these little animals was sick, and Mr. Reid liberated it, and watched it to see what it would do.
It made its way to a particular kind of gum tree, sampled it, and soon recovered. Now the enclosure at Lone Pine is never without that healing balm sampled by the indisposed koala.
Lone Pine has other native animals, too — a friendly kangaroo and wallaby, foxes true to type with their look of cunning, dingoes with their unmelodious howl, and some quiet-eyed opossums. The aviary at Lone Pine is a delightful spot indeed.
The beauty of Lone Pine is becoming known abroad, for recently some Americans who visited this spot said that they had heard of its beauties before leaving their native shores.

Type of publication: Newspaper When was the article reported?: 07/13/1932 Publication: Sydney Mail Article Url: [Web Link] Is Registration Required?: no How widespread was the article reported?: national News Category: Arts/Culture

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