One Direction cuddle koalas down under - pictures

One Direction have taken time out of their current Australian tour to cuddle Kat the koala at a sanctuary in Brisbane.

The boys, who have been causing quite a ruckus since they arrived down under, were introduced to Kat at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Queensland before hugging and stroking the marsupial for the cameras.

So far on their Australian adventure, the boyband have performed at a sold-out show, sunbathed on a yacht and sampled Aussie delicacies.