Meet the native Australia and exotic wildlife such as koala, friendly kangaroos and much more at the must visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Take a photo with a koala, feed kangaroos, marvel at a 25m saltwater crocodile, experience lorikeet feeding, amazing Australian wildlife encounters and shows, aboriginal performances, entry to Green Challenge Adventure Park and Wildlife Hospital precinct.
Here are 34 things to do, and animals to meet, at and according to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Find out what is a capybara at #5 and do not miss out on #33 when you are there.
#1: Koala Experience
This is the best way to get up close and personal to one of Australia’s biggest icons. Learn about the koala’s features, habitat, reproduction, gum species preferences and other quirky little facts about these gorgeous critters. Go behind the scene for a special tour to meet some of the koala families inside their Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary homes. At the completion of your experience there will be a professional photograph to capture your experience.
Times: 11am & 3:15 PM
Price: From $49
Positions Available: 10 Per Session
#2: Koala Photos
Queensland is lucky enough to be one of two states in Australia which offers koala holds! This makes it one of the most iconic (and super cute) animal experiences in the world.
If you missed out on the koala experience tour above, make sure you capture a souvenir photo of you holding a cuddly koala. For a family package where everyone gets to hold a koala, take advantage of the Family Koala Pack. Koala Photos Studio is open from 8am to 4pm meaning you can hold a koala ANY TIME of the day!
Time: 8am to 4pm – No booking necessary
Price: $25 for a single photo which can include one person or a group with only one person holding the koala. Family Koala Pack also available.
#3: Koala Nursery Experience
For a VIP experience, try the Koala Nursery Experience to meet koala joeys. In this experience, you get to enter the enclosure with an experienced keeper and have the opportunity to get closer than ever before with Koalas and their Joeys. Your experience also includes a professional koala photo with one of the grown-up koalas.
Time: 1.00 PM
Price: From $59
Positions Available: 2 Per Session
#4: Feed a Crocodile
No, we are not crazy. You get to feed a massive MASSIVE 5 metre saltwater crocodile! This encounter is a once in a lifetime opportunity, happening daily at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s Crocodile Behaviours Show.
Time: 1:00 PM
Price: $69
Positions Available: 1 Per Day
Inclusions: Includes 2 professional photos; 1 candid of the feeding and 1 holding a reptile
#5: Capybara Encounter
What are capybaras? If you think guinea pigs are cute, well wait until you meet these guys! Capybaras are the world’s largest rodent so maybe picture cute giant gentle guinea pigs. Get up close and personal in the capybara enclosure, give them a scratch and help feed them while learning interesting facts like how they eat their own poo.
Days Available: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
Time: 2:00 PM
Price: $39
Positions Available: 3 Per Day
#6: Cotton-Top Tamarin Encounter
Meet a troop of inquisitive and adorable Cotton-top Tamarins at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s Lost Valley.
The cotton-top tamarin is a small New World monkey weighing less than 0.5 kg (1.1 lb). Cotton-top tamarins are one of the smallest primates, and is easily recognised by the long, white sagittal crest extending from its forehead to its shoulders.
Days Available: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
Time: 12:00 PM
Price: $45
Positions Available: 3 Per Day
#7: Dingo Encounter
Come and meet Marrow, head of the wolf pack at Currumbin. The dingo is a dog that is native to Australia. Being able to see a pure white alpine Dingo is impressive but imagine being able to meet Marrok in person. At the Dingo Encounter, come inside Marrok’s enclosure, have an up close encounter and see him work his magic in a training session, as well as feel that stunning white coat.
Days Available: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Time: 10:30 AM
Price: $29
Positions Available: 10
#8: Dingo Walk
Taking a dog for a walk is fun, but you don’t often get to take a dingo for a walk. Step up your dog walking by taking a DINGO for a walk! Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has three pure Alpine Dingoes who love to go on their daily walk and you could be the one to take them. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a massive 27 hectares and this wolf pack have a lot of territory to explore. Let Marrok, Seff or Cailen take you on an adventure to show you their favourite places in the Sanctuary.
Time: 10:30 AM (Duration 20 minutes)
Price: $39
Positions Available: 2 Per Day
#9: Echidna Encounter
Spikes! Meet the gorgeous short-beaked echidnas, each with its own unique and entertaining personality. The prickly little echidna may even decide to feed from your hand with their long, sticky tongue or crawl over you.
Days Available: Sunday, Wednesday, Friday
Time: 10:30AM (Duration 20 minutes)
Price: $29
Places Available: 8
Inclusions: 6×8 green screen professional photo
#10: Possum Encounter
At the Possum Encounter, meet Meccano, the beautiful mountain brush tail possum up close at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. She is gentle, kind-natured and loves to snuggle up to new people. You will be able to have your own personal encounter which includes a beautiful photo and the opportunity to feed and hold this amazing little marsupial.
Days Available: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Time: 2PM (Duration 20 minutes)
Price: $29
Available Positions: 6
Inclusions: 6 x 8 professional photo
#11: Behind the Scenes Tour
Even wonders what goes backstage at Currumbin? Behind the Scenes Tour gives you the chance to see the Training, Rehabilitation and Wildlife department and be introduced to various Australian wildlife wonders!
You will have a 25 minute experience while under the personal guidance of an Animal Trainer and meet the stars of the Free Flight Bird Show. See the wildlife rehabilitation centres and understand how Currumbin works on breeding the animals to save the endangered wildlife, as well as more clever critters you are sure to fall in love with.
Time: 12.00PM (Duration 25 minutes)
Price: $15
Available Positions: 15
#12: Bird Training Experience
A common question asked at the signature Free Flight Bird Show is ‘how do you do it? How to train free flying birds?
This exclusive VIP Bird Training Encounter shows how it’s done, and you also get to free fly some of the feathered friends here at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
Time: 1PM
Price: $29
Available Positions: 10
#13: Segway Safari
With over 70 years of amazing history and growth in 27 hectares of coastal rainforest, it is impossible to explore all of Currumbin on foot. Now you can discover more of Currumbin with a segway guided tour. Relax and take time to delve deeper into the park as you learn about the amazing animals from your own experienced wildlife officer. Built with magnetic self-balancing technology, our Segway’s are powerful enough to make the steepest of hills seem effortless. This wonderful attraction is for anyone from 45kg or heavier and is an amazing way to further experience Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
Prices: From $45
#14: Treetop Challenge
Get your adrenaline pumping with the Treetop Challenge! With 80 huge TreeTop Challenges, including 11 insane ziplines, you will have an unforgettable day of thrills, action and adventure. You must bring closed-in shoes and a daredevil attitude!
COURSE DETAILS To complete the courses you will need approximately 3.5 hours. Your TreeTop Challenge fee covers all your equipment hire and access to the courses for the entire duration of your visit.
Call 1300 881 446 for fees and times.
#15: Wildlife Hospital Tour
Calling all budding veterinarians! Get a private tour of the Wildlife Hospital plus 4 Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary day entry tickets.
Share 60 minutes in one of the busiest wildlife hospitals in the world! Your group will be personally escorted around the Hospital to learn about the medical care each animal receives, watch live surgery (if available), walk through the rehabilitation area to see the turtle pools, echidna enclosure, raptor recovery, ‘Feather Library’, koala recovery, water pond, and many more exciting areas the public do not get to access! The passionate staff will share their love for wildlife, inspiring you to spread awareness about the work being completed in our Hospital.
Days Available: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday*
Time: 11:00AM
Price: $500 and includes the hospital tour as well as four entry tickets to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Positions Available: 1 Per Day, up to 4 people
#16: Feed the Lorikeets
The Rainbow Lorikeet is a species of Australasian parrot. These beautifully coloured birds spend most of their time in trees, eating pollen, fruit, nectar and insects. They’re most commonly found along the eastern seaboard, from Queensland to South Australia and North Western Tasmania.
Every day guests can come feed these wild birds and enjoy them coming to perch on their heads and arms. Whilst feeding the Rainbow Lorikeets keep an eye out for the smaller green Scaly-breasted Lorikeet which will often come in to feed with the Rainbow Lorikeets.
#17: Kangaroos and Wallabies
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is home to many species of kangaroos and wallabies. You can visit them in a replica of their natural habitats. Take a walk through the red-dirt landscape to feed the Red Kangaroos, or head over to the grassy fields where the Grey Kangaroos lay, you can even venture into the Wallaby Encounter enclosure and see several species of wallaby, including the rock-dwelling Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby.
Kangaroos and wallabies both belong to the same family. Kangaroos are larger and tend to graze in open spaces, Wallabies are smaller and can be found in denser areas feeding on a range of different things such as native grasses and plants. Despite a range of physical differences, both carry joeys in a pouch. Wallabies tend to live in small family groups whilst the Kangaroo species tend to live in larger groups called mobs.
Always want to feed kangaroos? Get up close and person with kangaroos and buy a tray of feed to feed them from your hand for an unforgettable experience.
#18: Crocodile alert!
The saltwater crocodile is the largest living reptile on earth. ‘Boss Hogg’ is Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s resident male saltwater crocodile – reaching almost 5 metres in length and weighing about 800 kilograms! This saltie was caught in the mid 1980s from far north Queensland after he killed a Brahman stud bull worth over $10 000. Boss Hogg now gets fed smaller meals, allowing one brave guest to give him his daily feed.
#19: Tasmanian Devil
Tasmanian Devils are shy creatures which more commonly scavenge dead animals than kill their own prey. The devil can consume an entire animal including bones, fur and scales. They can consume more than 10% of their body weight in one meal! Tassie Devils used to roam the mainland, however can now only be found in the wilds on of Tasmania. 90% of the Tasmanian Devil population has been wiped out by the Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has been involved in the breeding program, to help save these marsupials from extinction in the wild for over 15 years.
#20: Wombats
The Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat is one of three wombat species found in different regions of Australia. Their shiny fur and hairy snouts differ them from a the bare-nosed or Common Wombat who has thicker dense fur. They dig extensive burrow systems with their powerful claws to hide away from the heat of the day. Although they may not look fast paced, the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat’s can reach a speeds of 40km an hour! Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is home to three of these wombats. They can be seen either sleeping in their den burrow or adventuring out in their enclosure later in the day. See if you can spot one of them.
#21: Bilbies
Bilbies are shy, nocturnal creatures native to Australias desert regions. The Greater Bilby has a distinctive white-tipped tail, long and highly sensitive ears and a pointed snout. They are nocturnal animals and spend their nights digging burrows or searching for plant bulbs, seeds or insects to eat. Bilbies are endangered in Queensland and vulnerable nationally and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is part of a National Bilby breeding program in collaboration with Save the Bilby Foundation, this will help ensure that there is captive insurance population to help save these creatures from extinction.
#22: Emus
Emus are Australia’s largest native birds. Although they have wings, they’re too small to allow them to fly. Instead, emus have calf muscles and three toes to allow them to run and jump. Their strides can reach 275 centimetres and they can reach a speed of 50km an hour. Although they eat a variety of plants and insects, emus are known to have gone several weeks without food. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary allows our beautiful emus to roam freely in selected areas of our 27 hectare, coastal rainforest property and interact with our guests.
#23: Reptiles and Amphibians
The Sanctuary has a large range of scaly and slimy friends including snakes, frogs, lizards, etc. With 38 different species of reptiles including snakes, you won’t miss our cold-blooded creatures.
#24: Pelicans
Pelicans are the largest water bird in Australia. The stretchy pouch inside their bill is used to hold food until the pelican has positioned it right to swallow. When extended, a pelican’s bill can hold up to 13 litres. The Australian Pelican mainly feeds on fish, crustaceans and occasionally small turtles.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has three resident pelicans that were previously injured and now call the sanctuary home; along with several other wild pelicans that come in for a free feed each day in our Pelican and Eel show.
#25: Eagles
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is home to four beautiful Wedge-Tailed Eagles, also sometimes known as the eagle hawk.
The Wedge-Tailed Eagle is the largest bird of prey in Australia. It has long, fairly broad wings, fully feathered legs, and an unmistakable wedge-shaped tail. Don’t miss out the daily Birds of Prey Show.
#26: Bird Aviaries
Visit the birds in the Forest Fringe aviary, Rainforest and Conservation aviaries as well as the Glossy Black-Cockatoo aviary which houses the very successful breeding pair of Glossy Black-Cockatoos.
#27: Cassowary
Australia’s heaviest bird, the cassowary stands between 1.5-2 metres in height and can weigh up to 60kg. The females are larger than the males and are also more aggressive. The casque on their head is used to for communication between one another and enables them to transmit very low sound frequencies.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary currently has a pair of cassowaries on display.
#28: Red Panda
The Red Panda is not actually a panda at all, they belong to their own family – ‘Ailuridae’. The Red Panda lives high in the treetops of the Himalayas. They enjoy their alone time as they are shy and solitary by nature. In the winter months to keep themselves warm, the Red Panda wrap their large bushy tails around themselves and their slow metabolism helps them cope when their food is scarce.
#29: Ring-Tailed Lemur
The Ring-tailed Lemur is highly social, living in ‘troops’ led by a dominant female. They use their long, vividly striped, black-and-white tails like a flag so members of the troop can keep a track of where everyone is when travelling along the ground.
They have human-like hands with opposable thumbs and big toes so they are able to grip branches and hold objects such as their food of fruit, leaves, flowers and bark.
#30: Goodfellows Tree-Kangaroo
The Goodfellow’s Tree-Kangaroo is a marsupial. They are a superb climbers and are capable of leaping long distances and are able to jump from up to 9 metres down from one tree to another.
They spend most of their time living in the trees but will occasionally forage on the ground in search of food. This largely nocturnal species is most active at night feeding on leaves of fruit from trees but also flowers and grass found along the forest edges.
#31: Birds of Lost Valley
Explore Lost Valley and watch as free-flying birds from China, Indonesia, Brazil and even the Maldives nest high in the trees. Witness the Satin Bowerbird build and decorate his bower to attract a mate and as you walk across the boardwalks make sure to keep a lookout for the Mandarin Duck, widely regarded as the world’s most beautiful duck.
Eclectus Parrots, Moluccan Red Lories, Black-capped Lories, Satin Bowerbirds, Emerald Doves, Chiming Wedgebills, Golden Pheasants and Mandarin Ducks call Lost Valley home.
#32: Reptiles of Lost Valley
Lost Valley is home to incredible exotic species including some amazing reptiles! Come face to face with one of the largest snakes in the world or try to make eye contact with the Veiled Chameleon – each eye can move and focus independently.
#33: Aboriginal Dance Shows
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary & Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre are proud to present the Yugambeh Aboriginal Dancers.
To celebrate the rich local Aboriginal culture embedded in this Gold Coast region, experience a taste of the Yugambeh language, dance and stories at the daily Aboriginal Dance Shows.
Time: Everyday at 3.30pm
#34: For Train Lovers!
Gold Coast’s famous miniature railway with four shiny red, blue, and green trains meandering through the heritage-listed zoological gardens of Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has made its way onto the Queensland heritage register. Discover Currumbin Sanctuary by train at your leisure, stopping across the park’s entrance, Green Patch, Kangaroo Crossing and Wild Island.
Buy Tickets to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
You can book tickets to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary with Holiday Holiday. Prices start from $39 and there is a discount for a family of four.
Where is Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary located?
Location: 28 Tomewin St, Currumbin QLD 4223
Opening Times
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is open daily between 8AM-5PM (excluding Christmas and Anzac Day).
How to Get to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
By car:
From the south
Travel along the Pacific Highway onto the Gold Coast Highway at Coolangatta. Then follow the Gold Coast Highway to Currumbin and turn right at the traffic lights onto Tomewin Street.
From the north
Travel south on the Gold Coast Highway to Currumbin. Turn left at the lights onto Tomewin Street.
On the M1 Motorway
Travel on the M1 Motorway, take exit 95 to Stewart Road. Turn onto the Gold Coast Highway, then turn right onto Tomewin Street.
What to Bring to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary?
- Hat;
- Sunscreen,
- Camera or phone;
- Lots of smiles.
Where to Stay When Visiting Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary?
Holiday Holiday has some awesome accommodation within close driving distance to Currumbin. The best thing when staying with Holiday Holiday is that we can help you book your tickets to Currumbin, help organise your trip and book some special encounters with animals for you. All Holiday Holiday Gold Coast accommodation comes with a complimentary car parking space in the resort.
Why not choose from a great selection of Gold Coast family accommodation in Chevron Renaissance and Sun City which are both located in Surfers Paradise, around 25 minutes drive to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
For example, book this staff favourite room in the Chevron Renaissance on high floor level 31 ocean view, 2 bedrooms 2 bathrooms with three balconies.
