Currumbin Wildlife
Sanctuary — 2026 Guide

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is located at 28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin, on the southern Gold Coast — about 10 minutes from Gold Coast Airport and 30 minutes from Surfers Paradise by car. The 700 bus from Surfers Paradise stops at the sanctuary entrance; the G:link tram does not currently reach this far south, though it may extend further in later stages. Paid parking on-site is a flat fee of $10 per day in 2026, with proceeds supporting the Wildlife Hospital. National Trust members park free.

Plan a full day — 6 to 8 hours is typical for a comfortable visit that covers the daily presentation schedule, the major precincts, hand-feeding sessions, and time to wander. Families with younger children often stay 4 to 6 hours and break for the on-site cafés. If you’re combining with another Gold Coast activity, allocate at least 4 hours minimum to make the visit worthwhile.

Queensland is one of the few Australian states that still permits guests to hold a koala for a photo, and Currumbin offers the experience as an optional paid add-on (around $29 in 2026) — separate from general admission. Sessions are strictly limited per day in line with welfare guidelines that cap each koala’s daily encounter time, and they regularly sell out, so book ahead. If you’d prefer a non-handling option, the free Koala Nursery Keeper Talk at 11:45 am gives a closer educational experience without the photo.

Cooler months (May to September) are the most comfortable for full days outdoors and tend to bring more animal activity, particularly in the open kangaroo enclosure. Avoid the late December to January summer school holidays and Easter week for the lowest crowds. The morning lorikeet feeding (around 8 am) is one of the iconic Gold Coast experiences and worth arriving for whatever month you visit.

Yes. Currumbin and the major Gold Coast theme parks fill different roles. The theme parks deliver rides, shows and headline thrills; Currumbin delivers genuine close-quarters encounters with native Australian wildlife in 27 hectares of natural bushland, plus the country’s leading wildlife hospital and a not-for-profit model where every ticket directly funds conservation. Many travellers find it the most memorable day of their Gold Coast trip even alongside a theme-park visit. See our Gold Coast Theme Parks Guide for the comparison.

General admission includes entry to all 27 hectares, daily wildlife shows and presentations, all keeper talks (including the koala nursery talk), unlimited access to the lorikeet feeding sessions, the kangaroo open enclosures, the free-flight bird show, the heritage railway through the park, and the Wildlife Hospital viewing area. The optional paid experiences on top of general admission include the Koala Cuddle Photo, the Behind-the-Scenes Wildlife Hospital Tour, Aboriginal Cultural Experiences, and the Wild Island Adventure Park ropes course.

Yes — it’s frequently the standout single attraction on the Gold Coast for families with children under 5. The lorikeet feeding is mesmerising for toddlers, the kangaroo open enclosure lets very young children hand-feed gentle adult roos at their own pace, the park train circuits keep little legs happy, and the on-site cafés handle dietary requirements well. Strollers are permitted throughout and the paths are sealed.

Yes. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a not-for-profit operated by the National Trust of Australia (Queensland), and every dollar from admissions, parking and on-site purchases goes into running the sanctuary and the Wildlife Hospital — which treats thousands of injured and orphaned native animals each year, free of charge to the public. It is one of the very few major Gold Coast attractions where the visit directly supports conservation outcomes.