Rediscover your wild side in Brisbane and get to know the locals of a different kind. Just 15 minutes from the CBD you'll find locals aplenty - koalas, whales and kangaroos to name a few - they're all here, just waiting for you to visit.

Many are familiar with Brisbane's oldest and most famous wildlife attraction, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary on the river at Fig Tree Pocket, and Alma Park Zoo, to the north, with its variety of Australian and exotic animals. They may not realise that there are ample opportunities to experience native fauna in the wild within easy access of the CBD.

For instance, koala spotting is really quite easy. Daisy Hill Koala Centre, 25km south-east of the centre of Brisbane, and part of a greater region known as the koala coast, is situated in the open eucalypt forest at Daisy Hill Forest Reserve and is a bushland retreat for koalas and other native animals. It is open every day from 10am until 4pm and admission is free.

Nearby Redlands is also worth a visit as it contains one of Australia's largest collections of koalas within the boundaries of a city area, particularly at the Eprapah and Point Halloran Conservation Reserves at Victoria Point where colonies can be found in their natural environment.

Wildlife abounds on the western boundaries of the city at Brisbane Forest Park. It covers an area of 28,000 hectares and has access points located between 15 and 95 minutes drive from the city centre. This collection of forests and woodland areas is home to more than 200 species of native animals, including the tiger quoll, platypus, Mt Glorious Torrent Frog and spiny crayfish.

The Walk-About Creek Wildlife Centre at the Gap is part of the Park and is a re-created natural environment that is home to a platypus, lungfish, nocturnal wildlife in a night-house, many types of birds in a walk-through aviary, wallabies and many other interesting animals. Admission starts from $5.15 for adults.

Nature lovers should also consider heading from the splendours of the bush to the waters of Moreton Bay for some aquatic wildlife encounters. It is an easy 30-40 minute drive north or south of the CBD and daily cruises also leave from inner city terminals.

The Bay is an ecologically significant marine park and home to dolphins, turtles, dugongs and around 1200 species of fish. It houses one of largest dugong populations in the world and contains large numbers of dolphins and, between June and November, whales.

Operators run regular day trips, and guests at Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort on Moreton Island have the extraordinary opportunity to hand feed the dolphins.

There are more than 350 species of bird life in the greater Moreton Bay region and birdwatchers travel from around the world to enjoy the sights. Favourite spots are the Wynnum bird hide, the Egret Colony Wetlands at Victoria Point and the Boondall Wetlands near Sandgate.

Boondall Wetlands lie on the edge of Moreton Bay and include more than 1000 hectares of tidal flats, mangroves, salt-marshes, melaleuca wetlands, grasslands, open forests and woodlands. They are home to an amazing variety of bird-life, including black-shouldered kites, Australian kestrels, ospreys, ducks and kingfishers as well as frogs, flying foxes, possums, squirrel gliders, skinks and lizards.

Pelicans also flourish in the region and they can be found in all bayside areas. Pelican Park at Clontarf on the Redcliffe Peninsula offers the best chance to see them up close when they are hand fed by volunteers each morning. As well as providing visitors with an intimate look at these great birds, the feeding also provides a chance to check the local flock is healthy.

For more information on these and Brisbane's many other wildlife experiences and day tours visit www.experiencebrisbane.com