Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a not-for-profit wildlife park covering 27 hectares of bushland and rainforest at 28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin, on the Gold Coast, Queensland. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, transport, accessibility, and practical visitor tips for 2026.
To get slightly cheaper tickets, book online in advance.
Last updated: May 2026. This guide uses prices and hours confirmed directly from the official Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary website. The sanctuary turned 79 in 2026 and launched a new animal precinct, Croc Wetlands, featuring saltwater and freshwater crocodiles alongside American alligators. Some older guides still list outdated prices; the current standard adult day pass is $70.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 9am–4pm daily (last admission 3.30pm) |
| Closed | 25 April (ANZAC Day) and 25 December |
| Adult day pass | $70 |
| Child day pass (3–13 years) | $50 |
| Concession day pass (Pension/Senior) | $55 |
| Family day pass (2 adults + 2 children) | $215 |
| Under 3 | Free |
| Parking | $10 per car per day (on-site) |
| Address | 28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin, QLD 4223 |
| Nearest public transport | Translink buses stop directly in front of the sanctuary |
| Typical visit length | 3–5 hours |
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary opening hours
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is open every day from 9am to 4pm, with last admission at 3.30pm. The sanctuary is closed on ANZAC Day (25 April) and Christmas Day (25 December). There are no seasonal variations to the standard daytime hours.
The Wild Lorikeet Feeding runs twice daily at 8am and 4pm – the morning session begins one hour before the park officially opens, so visitors who want to attend must purchase tickets or arrange access accordingly. Astra Lumina, the after-dark light trail experience, operates Wednesday to Saturday evenings (opening after last light), with additional days added during Queensland school holidays. Astra Lumina requires a separate ticket.
Why book Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Tickets?
- 🦜 Iconic Wild Lorikeet Feeding: Participate in a famous tradition dating back decades, feeding hundreds of colorful wild rainbow lorikeets that land right on your hands and arms during daily morning and afternoon sessions.
- 🐨 Australian Wildlife Encounters: Get up close with native species as you wander through 27 hectares of natural bushland, hand-feed free-roaming kangaroos, and view koalas, dingoes, and wombats.
- 🏥 World-Class Wildlife Hospital: Look through the specialized viewing windows of the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, one of the busiest veterinary facilities of its kind, to see real vets treating and rehabilitating injured native animals.
- 🌿 Lost Valley Rainforest: Walk along elevated boardwalks through a lush canopy to discover exotic prehistoric species and unique wildlife, including ring-tailed lemurs, cotton-top tamarins, and capybaras.
- 🎭 Aboriginal Culture & Live Shows: Experience daily cultural performances that celebrate rich Indigenous heritage through traditional dance and storytelling, alongside thrilling bird shows and reptile presentations.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary ticket prices
A standard adult day pass to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary costs $70. The full price list for single-day admission is:
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $70 |
| Child (3–13 years) | $50 |
| Concession (Pension/Senior card) | $55 |
| Family (2 adults + 2 children) | $215 |
| Infant (0–2 years) | Free |
| Astra Lumina (after-dark trail) | From $30 |
A 1.75% transaction fee applies to all direct online bookings. Weirdly, this makes it cheaper to go through a third party site such as GetYourGuide, which doesn’t apply the transaction fee. Book via GetYourGuide here.
Annual memberships (National Trust of Australia Queensland) start from $75 per person and provide unlimited entry to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, free parking, a 15% discount on encounters, food, retail, and school holiday programmes, and free or discounted access to over 1,000 National Trust properties worldwide. The membership pays for itself in roughly two visits when parking costs are included.
Companion Card and Hāpai Access Card holders are entitled to purchase concession-rate tickets. Registered companions or carers accompanying a Companion Card or Hāpai Access Card holder receive complimentary entry. Proof of the relevant card must be shown on arrival.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary website and last updated in May 2026.
How to get to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the Gold Coast Highway in Currumbin, approximately 5 minutes by car from Gold Coast Airport (Coolangatta) and approximately 30 minutes south of Surfers Paradise. It sits 300 metres from Currumbin Beach.
By car from the south: travel north along the Pacific Motorway and take exit 95 for Stewart Road towards Currumbin/Tugun, then follow the Gold Coast Highway to Tomewin Street. From the north: follow the Gold Coast Highway south to Tomewin Street. Currumbin is also directly accessible via the Gold Coast Highway from Gold Coast Airport without joining the motorway.
By public transport: Translink bus services stop directly in front of the sanctuary entrance. Use the Translink Journey Planner at translink.com.au to find the correct route from your starting point. Taxis and rideshare services can drop off and set down along Tomewin Street and Teemangum Street, with a rank directly in front of the entrance.
Five great things to do on the Gold Coast
- 🐨 Get close to koalas and other adorable creatures – at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
- 🛥️ Ride the Aquaduck – to explore the Gold Coast on land AND water.
- 🐋 See migrating humpbacks – on a whale-watching cruise.
- 🍽️ Enjoy a cruise along the Gold Coast waterways – with buffet lunch.
- 🪂 Face your fears and leap out of a plane – on a tandem skydive.
Parking at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
On-site parking at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary costs $10 per car for all-day parking. The dedicated car park is located opposite the main entrance on Tomewin Street and opens from 7.30am to 5.30pm daily (subject to change on event days). The car park includes eight reserved accessible spaces near the entrance. Parking proceeds support the sanctuary and its attached wildlife hospital. National Trust of Australia (Queensland) members park free. A small amount of 2-hour street parking is also available on nearby streets.
How long to spend at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Most visitors spend between three and five hours at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to cover the main animal areas, attend one or two shows, join a lorikeet feeding session, and have a meal on site. Visitors planning animal encounters in addition to standard admission should allow a full day.
The sanctuary covers 27 hectares, with the Currumbin Miniature Train providing an easy way to move between areas. Show times and keeper talks are scheduled throughout the day; the free official app provides a live show schedule and interactive map.
Accessibility at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
The main pathways through Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary are bitumen, concrete, or paver surfaces and are accessible to wheelchair users and pram users. Some secondary paths have steeper gradients, which are signed before the incline begins. Wheelchair and stroller hire is available from the Visitor and Member Services booth at the entrance at no charge on loan.
The sanctuary covers varied terrain, so some steeper sections may require assistance. The Astra Lumina after-dark trail is not recommended for manual wheelchair users due to inclines across the trail; electric wheelchairs are permitted but should be fully charged. The Lorikeet Arena is completely flat and paved. Accessible toilets are located throughout the park, including a PWD toilet with shower at the TreeTop Challenge amenities. Baby care rooms with five-star Australian Breastfeeding Association accreditation are located at Wild Burgers. An assisted listening service is available at the Wild Skies Free Flight Bird Show.
Only certified guide, hearing, and assistance dogs under the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dog Act 2009 are permitted. Handlers must provide proof of certification and current vaccination before arrival; email [email protected] in advance.
Inside Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary – what to see and do
Wild Skies Free Flight Bird Show takes place daily in a covered auditorium and features birds of prey, parrots, and other species in free-flight demonstrations alongside keeper commentary.
Aboriginal Cultural Show is a daily performance presenting traditional storytelling through dance, staged in an outdoor area shaded by trees. It is included with standard admission.
Lorikeet Feeding is the sanctuary’s most photographed experience. Wild Rainbow Lorikeets descend in large numbers at 8am and 4pm to feed from plates held by visitors. The arena is flat and paved; plates are provided at the entry gate.
Croc Wetlands is the sanctuary’s newest animal precinct and features five American Alligators, Freshwater Crocodiles, and the resident Saltwater Crocodile, Boss Hog. Keeper presentations run throughout the day.
Kangaroo Paddock allows free interaction and feeding with kangaroos and wallabies roaming in an open paddock. Kangaroo feeding is included with standard admission. The Homestead café and restaurant is located within this area.
The Lost Valley houses exotic species including Ring-tailed Lemurs, Capybaras, and Red Pandas in a rainforest setting. A range of paid animal encounters – including Koala, Capybara, Lemur, and Tortoise encounters – can be booked separately through the website.
Breakfast with Koalas and Grazy Arvo with Koalas are ticketed experiences combining a meal with time in the koala enclosure and a koala photograph; both start from $129 and include sanctuary entry.
TreeTop Challenge is a separate aerial adventure course above the sanctuary’s canopy. It requires a combo pass (from $100, includes entry) and is booked separately.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Arrive before 9am to catch the 8am lorikeet feeding | The morning lorikeet feeding at 8am happens one hour before the gates officially open. Confirm arrangements directly with the sanctuary if you want to attend this session. |
| Download the free app before you visit | The official Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary app provides a live daily show schedule, interactive map, and keeper talk times. Planning your route around show times maximises what you see. |
| Book animal encounters in advance | Popular encounters such as Breakfast with Koalas and the Koala photo experience sell out quickly, especially during Queensland school holidays. Book these online before your visit. |
| The sanctuary is large – allow for a full day if doing encounters | At 27 hectares, the sanctuary takes time to navigate. The Miniature Train is a practical way to move between areas, particularly useful for families with young children. |
| Annual membership pays for itself in about two visits | With a day pass at $70 per adult plus $10 parking, an annual membership (from $75) becomes cost-effective for anyone visiting more than once. Membership also gives 15% off food, encounters, and retail. |
Frequently asked questions about Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary suitable for children? | Yes. The sanctuary is specifically designed for families and includes kangaroo feeding, lorikeet feeding, the miniature train, the Wild Stage show for younger children, and interactive keeper talks. Infants under 3 enter free. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary? | Advance booking is not strictly required for standard entry, but is recommended during Queensland school holidays and on weekends to avoid queues. Animal encounters must be booked in advance as capacity is limited. |
| Is Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary open on Sundays? | Yes. The sanctuary is open every day from 9am to 4pm, including Sundays, except on ANZAC Day and Christmas Day. |
| Can you hold a koala at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary? | A koala photo experience is available (additional cost), which allows close contact with a koala under keeper supervision. Holding policies are subject to change; check the official website for current details. |
| Is Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary wheelchair accessible? | Main paths are paved and accessible. Stroller and wheelchair hire is available free from the Visitor Services booth. Some areas have steeper gradients; the accessibility guide on the official website provides full detail by location. |
Things to do near Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Currumbin Beach – A patrolled surf beach immediately adjacent to the sanctuary, approximately 300 metres from the entrance. One of the Gold Coast’s most popular and least crowded beaches.
Springbrook National Park – A World Heritage-listed hinterland plateau with rainforest walks, waterfalls, and a natural rock pool, approximately 35 kilometres inland from Currumbin. Day use areas are open year-round.
Tallebudgera Creek – A sheltered tidal creek and popular swimming spot 3 kilometres north of the sanctuary at Palm Beach. Safe for children; boat hire available in season.
Coolangatta and the Tweed Coast – The twin towns of Coolangatta and Tweed Heads, approximately 10 kilometres south, offer beaches, cafés, and direct access to the New South Wales border.
Natural Bridge, Springbrook – A volcanic rock arch formed over an underground cave and stream, approximately 40 kilometres from Currumbin. Free to visit; guided glow-worm tours operate after dark.
What to visit tomorrow – more wildlife parks and sanctuaries within two hours
David Fleay Wildlife Park, West Burleigh – A Queensland Parks-managed wildlife park in Burleigh Heads, approximately 20 kilometres north, specialising in native wildlife and conservation. Smaller and quieter than Currumbin.
Australia Zoo, Beerwah – Steve Irwin’s world-famous zoo on the Sunshine Coast, approximately 90 kilometres north of Currumbin. One of Australia’s largest zoos, with crocodile shows, wildlife hospitals, and African savannah exhibits.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Brisbane – The world’s largest koala sanctuary, approximately 100 kilometres north at Fig Tree Pocket, Brisbane. Holds more than 70 koalas.
Rainforest Paddock at O’Reilly’s, Lamington National Park – A working guesthouse and birdwatching destination in the Lamington National Park World Heritage Area, approximately 80 kilometres west of Currumbin.
Wildlife HQ (formerly Sunshine Coast Zoo), Beerwah – A small zoo on the Sunshine Coast, approximately 100 kilometres north, with a range of Australian and exotic animals including large cats and primates.
More Queensland travel
Other Queensland travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- What you need to know about the Tamborine Mountain Glow Worm Caves and Curtis Falls in the Gold Coast Hinterland.
- What to expect at Hinze Dam near the Gold Coast.
- See Brisbane from above with the Story Bridge Adventure Climb.
- Hand-feeding dolphins on Moreton Island at the Tangalooma Island Resort.
- Discovering the Bee Gees in Redcliffe.
