Review: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary! Is it Worth the Cost?
Are you planning a trip to the Gold Coast and wondering whether the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is worth a visit, you’re not alone. This iconic attraction has been welcoming guests for decades, offering the chance to get up close with Australia’s most famous animals.
But here’s the catch, with so many theme parks, beaches, and attractions to choose from on the Gold Coast, it can be tricky to decide if a wildlife sanctuary deserves a spot on your itinerary. Many first-timers want to know: What animals will I see? Are there shows or encounters worth doing? How much time should I allow, and is it family-friendly?
Having visited the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary myself, I can say it’s really surprised me. In this review, I’ll share everything you need to know before visiting Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, from ticket costs and opening hours to the best attractions, pros and cons, and my personal tips to make the most of your day.
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My Review: Is the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Worth Visiting?
I think the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is definitely worth the visit and I loved the animal interactions! The park is relatively large, especially considering its location on the Gold Coast. Plus, you could easily spend a whole day there and only see some of the feeding/shows available.
There are so many different animals to see, from koalas and kangaroos to crocodiles and snakes. And the bird show is not to be missed! It’s one of the best things about the park. So if you’re looking for a fun day out, the Wildlife Sanctuary is the place to go.
➡ Book Wildlife Sanctuary tickets HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator
I have visited a few wildlife parks over the years and although this was one of the smallest parks I have been to, I found it very interactive. Your able to get near animals a lot (without touching, of course), which is always great for my photo’s and video.
I think the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a perfect option for seeing Australian & International wildlife so close to Gold Coast. While I do prefer to see animals in the wild, it’s not always possible for everyone, and it’s especially good for overseas tourists who have limited time to see the Native animals.
The animals are well-cared for, and the staff are very knowledgeable with any questions you might have about the park or the animals. It’s also an inexpensive option compared to other parks, which is great if you’re on a budget.
In the end, we found it fun, informative, and I would definitely recommend it to others visiting the Gold Coast region.
✅Pros
- Opportunity to cuddle a koala or hand-feed kangaroos.
- Daily wildlife shows, including free-flight bird displays and croc feeding.
- Scenic setting with natural bushland and walking tracks.
- A small train makes it easy (and fun) to get around the large park.
- Supports conservation and wildlife rescue efforts.
❌Cons
- Entry tickets can be pricey for families.
- Can get very busy during school holidays and weekends.
- Outdoor setting means dealing with heat, rain, or insects depending on the season.
- Some shows only run at set times, so planning is required.
- Located a bit further from central Surfers Paradise, requiring a car or transfer.
How much do the tickets cost?
There are various costs involved for Yearly passes and ones packaged together with photos and experiences. But, Currumbin Sanctuary general admission tickets for a day pass currently cost:
➡ Book Wildlife Sanctuary tickets HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator
- Adult – $70.00
- Concession – $55.00
- Child – (Ages 3 – 13) – $50.00
- Family – (2 Adults + 2 Children) – $215.00
- Infant – (Under 3) is FREE
Koala Encounter
During this time, the “Koala Photo” experience will allow one person in your group to hold a Koala and take a photo for an extra $69 on top of the general admission fee (FYI-children can’t hold a koala).
Know that It’s one of the best and more accessible places to do it on the Gold Coast
The Koala Photo Area is open from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM and sessions MUST be booked in advance.
Car Parking?
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has a car park assigned “across the road” from the park on Tomewin Street for $10 (or free on-street parking, if you can get one). This is open from 7.30am until 5.30pm every day except for event days.
Know that the revenue raised for the paid car park does help towards funding the Animal Sanctuary and the hospital, which is always a good thing. Therefore, It’s the easiest option!
The Animals, Shows & Encounters!
The park is Located at 28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin (please see direction map here) on the Gold Coast in South East Queensland. It’s open from 9am to 4pm daily (except Christmas and Anzac Day) and you can call 07 5534 0879 to organise transport if you don’t have your own car.
The Types of Animals include:
- Koalas & Red Pandas
- Kangaroos, Wallabies & Tree Kangaroos
- Crocodiles
- Dingo’s & Tasmanian Devils
- Wombats and Echidnas
- Reptiles and Amphibians
- Eagles, Pelican, Emu, Lorikeets, Cassowary, and many other birds
- Cotton-top Tamarin (Monkey)
- Capybara (Large rodent)
- Ring Tailed Lemur
1. Lorikeet Feeding
Time: 8am & 4pm
The Sanctuary is home to many gorgeous and vibrant lorikeets( & King Parrots). These birds are incredibly friendly and love to eat from human hands or even sit on your shoulders!
If you’re interested in this amazing experience, you don’t need access to the Park and it’s entirely free to watch. Although they do ask for a gold coin donation to feed the Lorikeets and continue providing in the future
Do you need help planning your trip to Queensland? Book a one-on-one consultation call with me, to get your questions answered & personalised help!
2. Pelican & Eel Show
Time: 10am
Every day, wild pelicans and eels congregate on the banks of river, waiting for their meal. During this feeding session, you can learn about these creatures from the knowledgeable staff while watching them eat.
3. Blinky Bills Show
Time: 10.15am, 12.30pm
During the show, Blinky will introduce some of his wild animal friends and share fun facts about them. The main goal is to encourage the audience to take care of our planet by reducing waste, reusing items whenever possible, and recycling materials.
➡ Book Wildlife Sanctuary tickets HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator
4. Wild skies
Time: 10.45am & 2.15pm ( and 1:20pm for the Wildskies Animal Ambassador talk)
The Wildskies show is definitely worth it, and one of the more popular shows to see. Nothing is more beautiful than watching Australia’s most stunning bird species freely fly across the sky right in front of you.
Some of these birds include Australia’s largest bird of prey, the Wedge-tailed eagle, and others like Parrots and Owls. Not to mention, you will have the opportunity to take pictures with one of these incredible animals at the end of their display!
5. Tasmanian Devil Keeper Talk
Time: 11:30am
The Tasmanian Keeper Talks is your chance to see the animals up close, whether they’re feeding or getting into trouble! You’ll also learn about their endangered species and what we’re doing to help them survive.
6. Wildlife Hospital Presentation
Time: 11:30am
Watch on and chat with the team about how they nurse sick, orphaned, or injured animals back into the wildlife.
7. Koala Nursery Keeper Talk
Time: 11:45am
See the cute and cuddly creatures up close at the Koala Keeper Talks. You’ll learn more about how koalas became endangered and what they are doing to stop them from going extinct. You can ask questions and see them feed.
8. Dingo Keeper Talk
Time: 12:00pm
They have three Dingoes, and I was lucky to hear them howling away on my visit. In this Dingo Keeper Talk, you can find out why they are special and how different they are from regular dog species.
9. Frog Lab Tinkerfrog Talk
Time: 01:00pm
Welcome to the Frog Lab and learn how the park is managing the breeding program and trying to save the Kroombit Tinkerfrog species from becoming extinct.
10. Turtle Keep Talk
Time: 1:40pm
Find out about the Turtles and see if you can spot them in the park. Talk to the keeper and find out how you can keep the turtles safe in your own neighbourhood.
11. Aboriginal Culture Show
Time: 3:00pm
Hear the sounds of a Didgeridoo and watch as the Yugambeh Aboriginal Dance Group entertains the group and teaches you about their culture through dance, songs, and stories.
12. Other Animal Encounters and experiences
Get a photo with your favourite animal, get behind-the-scenes tours and enjoy your own memorable encounters with the wildlife. They have many different experiences to choose from, which are an extra charge on top of the general admission ticket.
This includes animals like:
- Koalas
- Red Panda
- Capybara
- Cotton-top Tamarin
- Echidna
- Possum
How long do you need there?
This Wildlife Sanctuary houses over 1,500 animals of more than 130 species. The site offers many shows and encounters throughout the day, so I recommend allowing at least 3 hours for your visit (at a minimum).
However, if you want to see everything the sanctuary offers, you should plan to spend the entire day there.
Preparation is vital when visiting any zoo or wildlife sanctuary and this establishment is no different. So, make the most of your visit, and read the sanctuary map beforehand. In addition, it’s advisable to help plan which shows and exhibits you want to see the most.
Additionally, it is always a good idea to bring a water bottle and some snacks with you. While it has its own cafes, it’s only sometimes convenient to stop there while trying to walk around seeing everything.
Food, Souvenirs & Tree top Challenge
There are a number of different shopping or retail outlets available in the park. This is where you can purchase any number of gifts, photo’s, souvenirs (Magnets for me) or snacks throughout your visit.
One is also located at the front door where you can collects photo’s at the end of the day, whilst also being open to the general public
As for food, there are a number of places to eat throughout the park. These can vary from Ice cream, coffee, Burgers, Salads and meals. I believe they can also cater events if needed.
I didn’t have enough time to check out the Tree Top Challenge out but did see others giving it a go.
I believe it takes about 3.5 hours to complete the course, so might be something better suited to multi-day visits. It will get your adrenaline pumping with 80 challenges & 11 zip lines of trills, action and adventure.
The FREE Lorikeet Feeding!
There is an entry fee to enter the entire park. Still, the Lorikeet Feeding at 8am and 4pm is Free and located outside the sanctuary grounds.
However, while considered a Free Experience to see the Lorikeets, they do ask for a gold coin donation for the feeding trays and to help continue this experience.
Is is better than Australia Zoo?
I think Australia Zoo is a bit more commercialised, with size being its main difference. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is 28 hectares (located on the Gold Coast), and Australia Zoo is 280 hectares (located in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland).
This size difference allows for more exhibits, animals, and educational experiences at Australia Zoo. For example, Australia Zoo has the Elephant Asia Rescue Centre, which isn’t something that Currumbin offers.
If you’re looking for more of an intimate experience with nature, Currumbin might be a better option for you. But if you’re looking for a significant, more educational international experience, Australia Zoo would be a great choice!
Location plays a big part in which Zoo you’ll actually visit. Therefore, if you’re staying on the Gold Coast, then Currumbin will be an easier option compared to Australia Zoo.
However, there are transfers available from the Gold Coast to Australia Zoo. But know this will take 2.5 hours to travel each way and a massive chunk of time out of your day to see the animals. Therefore, I would NOT recommend this option unless you’re staying closer to Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast.
Wrap up!
Thanks for reading this blog post to find out of the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is worth visiting and my personal review. I hope you found the information you were looking for, but if you’re still planning, please see my other Gold Coast blogs here for research and inspiration.
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- Sydney to Brisbane Road Trip Stops & Itinerary
- Best things to do in Surfers Paradise
- Gold Coast Vs Sunshine Coast – Which is better for you to visit?
- The Best 5 Day Gold Coast Itinerary in Queensland
- Review: Jet Ski Safari Tours on the Gold Coast
- Review: Is Whale watching on the Gold Coast Worth it?
- Novotel Surfers Paradise Hotel Review
