Gold Coast Attractions Part 1: Australian Wildlife

Most visitors to Gold Coast have heard of its wonderful beaches and exhilarating theme parks but may not be aware of its fascinating wildlife. Today we’ll provide you with this lesser known Gold Coast attraction that’s nonetheless worth a visit.

Australia has many endemic species of animals and birds that cannot be found anywhere else. The chance to spot a koala, echidna (spiny anteater), cassowary, kangaroo, kookaburra, wallaby, possum, platypus, emu or wombat in the wild is something you shouldn’t miss while visiting Gold Coast. There are several places you can interact and feed these native animals if you know where to go.

Cuddle a Koala!

Cute furry koalas inhabit the eucalyptus forests within the Gondwana Rainforests in Australia’s World Heritage Area. Sadly their numbers are threatened due to dog attacks, loss of habitat and road accidents. The best place to see koalas up close and learn more about them is at one of the sanctuaries such as the Koala Centre at Daisy Hill in southeast Queensland or Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in Gold Coast.

Few places permit visitors to touch koalas as they are usually returned to the wild, but the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has some resident koalas that visitors can hold and be photographed with. It’s a great photo op and a fantastic wildlife park to spend the day.

Gold Coast Attractions - Cuddle a Koala
Gold Coast Attractions – Cuddle a Koala

Feed Wild Lorikeets!

Another splendid interactive experience at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is the chance to feed the dozens of brightly coloured lorikeets that flock to the theme park every day around 4 pm. Visitors can make a donation and receive a saucer of wombaroo milk. The bright blue, red and yellow birds land on the saucer and sip the milk in an amazing show of nature’s colour at its best.

Gold Coast Attractions - Feed Rainbow Lorikeets
Gold Coast Attractions – Feed Rainbow Lorikeets

Spot Rare Duck-Billed Platypus

Duck-billed platypus live in the creeks and rivers of Queensland and look like a cross between a duck, an otter and a beaver! These odd and elusive egg-laying creatures are close to endangered in the wild but you can see them at Fleay’s Wildlife Park at West Burleigh.

Gold Coast Attractions - Spot Rare Duck-Billed Platypus.
Gold Coast Attractions – Spot Rare Duck-Billed Platypus. Image Credit: Klaus

Kangaroos

Sharp-eyed visitors may spot kangaroos on a scenic drive into the area’s unspoilt areas such as Lamington or Springbrook National Parks. This is also a good place to see, or at least hear, the raucous laughter of wild kookaburras.

The best time to see kangaroos is in the evening when the cooler temperatures draw them out to graze in fields, gardens or even at the side of the road. They normally hang around just long enough for you to get a photograph before hopping off with their unique bouncing motion. If you’re lucky, you may see a mum with a young joey tucked into her pouch.

If you want to actually hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is the only place in the area where you can do so. Rangers give you instructions for kneeling down and offering pellets of food without frightening these marsupials and it’s a real thrill as they nibble the pellets and tickle your hand with their whiskers!

Gold Coast Attractions - Hand Feed Kangaroos.
Gold Coast Attractions – Hand Feed Kangaroos. Image Credit: Phalinn Ooi

Whale Watching

One other exciting wildlife encounter along Australia’s Gold Coast is whale watching. Thrilling tours offer sightings of humpback whales from June to November along the Gold Coast.

Gold Coast Attractions - Whale Watching.
Gold Coast Attractions – Whale Watching.

Make sure you include these wildlife experiences when you visit Australia’s gorgeous Gold Coast on vacation!

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