Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, in the southern Gold Coast suburb of Currumbin, is one of the best wildlife experiences in southeast Queensland. Unlike the big theme parks to the north, the sanctuary focuses on Australian native animals and has accumulated decades of experience at presenting them in genuine, educational encounters rather than performances.
The daily lorikeet feeding — twice a day at 8am and 4pm — remains the headline event. Hundreds of rainbow lorikeets descend on the sanctuary lawns in flashing, screaming clouds, landing on outstretched arms to take nectar feed from visitors. It is chaotic, colourful, and loud. The birds have been coming since 1947.
Beyond the lorikeets, the sanctuary has excellent koala, wombat, and kangaroo encounters, a large crocodile exhibit, native owl and reptile presentations, and a well-maintained rainforest walk through the gully at the back of the grounds. The snake presentation is informative and rather alarming. The sanctuary is genuinely large — allow at least three hours.
The sanctuary sits in Currumbin Valley, close to the beach and only a few kilometres from the state border. It is an easy half-day from anywhere on the Gold Coast and is one of the few genuinely worthwhile things to do with children that does not involve a water slide.