Queensland, Australia has many places to visit if you are a lover of wildlife and nature. If you have booked a hotel or holiday house in the Gold Coast and are planning things to do, there is plenty to choose from.
Although the Gold Coast is well-known for its beautiful beaches and exciting theme parks, there are also plenty of wildlife sanctuaries and nature parks to visit.
If you are a nature and wildlife lover, Feet Do Travel share 7 places to visit on Australia’s Gold Coast.
Although the Gold Coast is well-known for its beautiful beaches and exciting theme parks, there are also plenty of wildlife sanctuaries and nature parks to visit.
If you are a nature and wildlife lover, Feet Do Travel share 7 places to visit on Australia’s Gold Coast.
See the Wedge Tailed Eagle in one of the shows at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast Australia
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has plenty of amazing wildlife to see and interact with. You can help shear a sheep, cuddle a koala, and feed the lorikeets. Kangaroos can be seen hopping around inside the park, and there are many shows such as pelican and eel, plus an awesome bird of prey show.
You don't have to travel all the way to Uluru to educate yourself about Australia’s indigenous people! Visit the Aboriginal Culture Show, or learn about conservation with one of the 15 research projects, choose from the Bilby, Tasmanian Devil, Cassowary, Wallaby, and even Australia’s most iconic animal the koala.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
If you are a fan of the cuddly koala, you will absolutely love the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Brisbane. It opened over 90 years ago, and has a Guinness World Record as the world’s first and largest koala Sanctuary.
It’s 18 hectares are home to more than 130 koalas, plus over 70 native Australian animals such as the platypus, wombat, echidna, and there are 5 hectares of free roaming kangaroos which you can feed.
Feeling peckish? Choose from two café’s where you can take a seat and refresh yourself with an ice cold drink and snack.
The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has plenty of amazing wildlife to see and interact with. You can help shear a sheep, cuddle a koala, and feed the lorikeets. Kangaroos can be seen hopping around inside the park, and there are many shows such as pelican and eel, plus an awesome bird of prey show.
You don't have to travel all the way to Uluru to educate yourself about Australia’s indigenous people! Visit the Aboriginal Culture Show, or learn about conservation with one of the 15 research projects, choose from the Bilby, Tasmanian Devil, Cassowary, Wallaby, and even Australia’s most iconic animal the koala.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
If you are a fan of the cuddly koala, you will absolutely love the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Brisbane. It opened over 90 years ago, and has a Guinness World Record as the world’s first and largest koala Sanctuary.
It’s 18 hectares are home to more than 130 koalas, plus over 70 native Australian animals such as the platypus, wombat, echidna, and there are 5 hectares of free roaming kangaroos which you can feed.
Feeling peckish? Choose from two café’s where you can take a seat and refresh yourself with an ice cold drink and snack.
Beautifully coloured Crimson Rosellas can be seen at Springbrook National Park on Australia's Gold Coast
Springbrook National Park
Springbrook National Park is approximately a 50 minute from the Gold Coast and is well worth visiting for its natural beauty. The Numinbah section of the Springbrook National Park in particular, is outstanding. You can admire the mountain scenery, walk along the banks of the Nerang River, and stop for a relaxing picnic.
At Springbook you can step back in time and see fossils of the ancient Gondwana Forest which covered Australia millions of years ago when the Country was joined to Antarctica. It’s also a place to view the rare Albert’s Lyrebird, plus the beautifully colourful rosellas.
Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk
The Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk is a great way to see the rainforest canopies.
The walk is about 1.5km consisting of trails, steel bridges, plus a 40 metre bridge which is 30 metres above the creek with magnificent views of the rainforest below – do you have a head for heights or do you fear canopy walks?
Stroll at your own pace which will take approximately 45 minutes - longer if you want to keep stopping to take in beautiful Australian flora and fauna and snap a few photos. Other fun things to do at the skywalk including learning about the different animal species which live in the forest at the Rainforest Eco Gallery, which showcases birds, reptiles, exotic insects and butterflies.
Springbrook National Park is approximately a 50 minute from the Gold Coast and is well worth visiting for its natural beauty. The Numinbah section of the Springbrook National Park in particular, is outstanding. You can admire the mountain scenery, walk along the banks of the Nerang River, and stop for a relaxing picnic.
At Springbook you can step back in time and see fossils of the ancient Gondwana Forest which covered Australia millions of years ago when the Country was joined to Antarctica. It’s also a place to view the rare Albert’s Lyrebird, plus the beautifully colourful rosellas.
Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk
The Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk is a great way to see the rainforest canopies.
The walk is about 1.5km consisting of trails, steel bridges, plus a 40 metre bridge which is 30 metres above the creek with magnificent views of the rainforest below – do you have a head for heights or do you fear canopy walks?
Stroll at your own pace which will take approximately 45 minutes - longer if you want to keep stopping to take in beautiful Australian flora and fauna and snap a few photos. Other fun things to do at the skywalk including learning about the different animal species which live in the forest at the Rainforest Eco Gallery, which showcases birds, reptiles, exotic insects and butterflies.
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Check out the fluffy Common Brushtail Possum at Paradise Country Aussie Farm Tour
Paradise Country Aussie Farm Tour
For those who want an authentic Australian farm experience, the Paradise Country Farm is the place to visit! There is plenty to learn here including opal mining, sheep shearing and gold fossicking. There are also many animals to see including friendly dingoes, koalas, baby lambs, and even the fluffy tailed common possum.
Burleigh Head National Park
Burleigh Head National Park is where the rainforest and ancient volcanic columns meet the sea. The Burleigh Point is a very popular area for surfing, but has some amazing walking trails where you can spot bush turkeys or water dragons. The park has 27 hectares of beautiful rainforest plus mangrove and eucalyptus.
For family fun, why not take a picnic to enjoy at Echo Beach?
The Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens
Only 20 minutes from Byron Bay, the Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens is a wonderful place to visit. You can enjoy the beautiful gardens and the famous Buddha Walk. There are several unique experiences you should try, including a Peace Experience and the Music of the Plants.
For those who want an authentic Australian farm experience, the Paradise Country Farm is the place to visit! There is plenty to learn here including opal mining, sheep shearing and gold fossicking. There are also many animals to see including friendly dingoes, koalas, baby lambs, and even the fluffy tailed common possum.
Burleigh Head National Park
Burleigh Head National Park is where the rainforest and ancient volcanic columns meet the sea. The Burleigh Point is a very popular area for surfing, but has some amazing walking trails where you can spot bush turkeys or water dragons. The park has 27 hectares of beautiful rainforest plus mangrove and eucalyptus.
For family fun, why not take a picnic to enjoy at Echo Beach?
The Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens
Only 20 minutes from Byron Bay, the Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens is a wonderful place to visit. You can enjoy the beautiful gardens and the famous Buddha Walk. There are several unique experiences you should try, including a Peace Experience and the Music of the Plants.
