Top Wildlife Safaris & National Parks in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
1. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
A popular wildlife sanctuary with over 1400 native and exotic animals, offering interactive experiences like bird shows, Aboriginal dance performances, and a chance to hand-feed kangaroos.
- Animal Interaction: Offers unique opportunities to interact with various animals such as koalas, kangaroos, and reptiles
- Educational Programs: Provides educational programs about the conservation of native Australian wildlife
- Location Convenience: Located just minutes away from Gold Coast's bustling beaches and theme parks
2. Lamington National Park
A sprawling national park known for its diverse wildlife including over 300 species of birds, koalas, and platypus. Explore the ancient Gondwana Rainforests with walking trails.
- Rainforest Experience: Offers an immersion in lush rainforests teeming with wildlife
- Hiking Trails: Features numerous walking trails catering to various fitness levels
- Wildlife Spotting: Provides excellent opportunities for wildlife observation, especially birdwatching
3. Springbrook National Park
Known for its stunning waterfalls and diverse plant and animal life. Visit the Best of All Lookout for panoramic views and the Natural Bridge to witness glowworms.
- Natural Beauty: Boasts breathtaking natural beauty with waterfalls, rainforests, and unique geological formations
- Glowworms Viewing: Offers a chance to see the mesmerizing glowworms at the Natural Bridge
- Wildlife Diversity: Home to various native species such as possums, gliders, and a variety of birdlife
4. Tallebudgera Creek Wildlife Sanctuary
A small sanctuary on the banks of Tallebudgera Creek, providing a home for rescued and rehabilitated native animals. Interact with wallabies, snakes, and other creatures in a calm, natural environment.
- Rescue and Rehabilitation: Provides care for rescued and rehabilitated native Australian wildlife
- Small and Intimate: Offers a more personal, intimate experience compared to larger sanctuaries
- Location Near Beach: Located near Gold Coast's beautiful Tallebudgera Beach
5. David Fleay Wildlife Park
A wildlife park dedicated to the conservation of koalas and other native species. Learn about their habitat, behavior, and threats through interactive displays.
- Koala Conservation: Dedicated to the preservation and conservation of the koala population
- Interactive Displays: Educational displays offering insights into native Australian wildlife and their habitats
- Small Scale: A smaller, more manageable park, making it easier to explore in a day
6. Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk
A challenging 51km hiking trail through the Gold Coast's Gondwana Rainforests. It offers stunning views and diverse wildlife sightings.
- Long Distance Hike: A long-distance hiking trail for experienced hikers
- Scenic Views: Offers breathtaking views of the rainforests and surrounding landscapes
- Wildlife Opportunities: Provides excellent opportunities for wildlife spotting along the trail
7. Burleigh Heads National Park
A coastal national park offering scenic walking trails, a historic lightstation, and abundant wildlife. Spot sea turtles, dolphins, and various bird species.
- Coastal Beauty: Features stunning coastal landscapes with a mix of rainforest and beach environments
- Historic Lightstation: Boasts a historic lightstation offering panoramic views of the coastline
- Wildlife Opportunities: Provides opportunities to spot marine and birdlife, including sea turtles, dolphins, and migratory birds
8. Daintree National Park
A vast rainforest located north of Gold Coast, home to diverse wildlife including cassowaries, crocodiles, and a wide variety of birdlife. Explore the Mossman Gorge and Daintree River.
- Rainforest Immersion: Offers a deep immersion in one of the world's oldest rainforests
- Mossman Gorge: Features the beautiful Mossman Gorge with crystal-clear waters and walking trails
- Wildlife Diversity: Provides opportunities to spot a wide variety of native Australian wildlife
9. Cape Tribulation Beach
A beautiful and remote beach located within Daintree National Park. Enjoy the pristine waters, explore the surrounding rainforest, or join a crocodile spotting tour.
- Remote Beach Experience: Offers a unique and remote beach experience away from Gold Coast's tourist hotspots
- Rainforest Exploration: Provides opportunities to explore the lush rainforests surrounding the beach
- Crocodile Spotting Tours: Allows visitors to join guided tours for crocodile spotting in the nearby Daintree River
10. Coolum Wildlife Refuge
A wildlife refuge located near Noosa offering a sanctuary for native animals. Explore the park's walking trails and observe koalas, wallabies, and reptiles in their natural habitats.
- Animal Sanctuary: Provides a sanctuary for injured or orphaned native Australian animals
- Walking Trails: Features walking trails allowing visitors to observe wildlife in their natural habitats
- Location Near Beaches: Located near Gold Coast's stunning beaches, offering the perfect combination of wildlife and beach experiences
11. Noosa Everglades National Park
A unique ecosystem located near Noosa. Explore this waterway by kayak or canoe and spot various wildlife species such as platypus, wallabies, and birds.
- Waterway Exploration: Allows visitors to explore a unique waterway by kayak or canoe
- Wildlife Opportunities: Provides opportunities to spot various wildlife species such as platypus, wallabies, and birds
- Natural Beauty: Features stunning natural beauty with lush rainforests, pristine waters, and unique landscapes
12. Fraser Island
A large sand island located off the coast of Hervey Bay. Explore its vast sand dunes, freshwater lakes, and diverse wildlife including dingoes and turtles.
- Sand Island Experience: Offers a unique experience of exploring a large sand island
- Wildlife Opportunities: Provides opportunities to spot dingoes, turtles, and various bird species
- Lake Swimming: Allows visitors to swim in the freshwater lakes surrounded by sand dunes
13. Moreton Island
An island located off the coast of Brisbane. Enjoy its pristine beaches, explore shipwrecks, and spot various wildlife including dugongs and turtles.
- Island Getaway: Offers a peaceful island getaway just off the coast of Brisbane
- Wildlife Opportunities: Provides opportunities to spot dugongs, turtles, and various bird species
- Shipwreck Exploration: Allows visitors to explore shipwrecks that are popular dive sites
14. Mon Repos Beach Turtle Encounter
A turtle rookery located on Mon Repos Beach in Bundaberg. Join a guided tour to witness the nesting of loggerhead and green turtles.
- Turtle Nesting: Allows visitors to witness turtle nesting, primarily loggerhead and green turtles
- Guided Tours: Offers guided tours led by park rangers for a more educational experience
- Conservation Efforts: Supports conservation efforts for the protection of turtles and their habitats
15. K'gari (Fraser Island) Wildlife Park
A wildlife park located on Fraser Island. Interact with various native Australian animals such as dingoes, wallabies, and reptiles.
- Animal Interaction: Offers unique opportunities to interact with various native Australian animals
- Fraser Island Location: Located on Fraser Island, providing a combination of wildlife experiences and island exploration
- Educational Programs: Provides educational programs about the conservation of native Australian wildlife