David Fleay Wildlife Park is a Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service–managed fauna reserve at the corner of West Burleigh Road and Loman Lane, West Burleigh, on the Gold Coast. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, transport, accessibility, and practical visitor tips for 2026.
Last updated: May 2026. All information in this guide has been checked against the official Queensland Government booking and park pages. Admission prices are updated by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service on 1 July each year; always confirm the current price before visiting. The park has recently undergone enclosure improvements; some older guides may reference different animals or enclosure layouts.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 9am–4pm daily |
| Closed | Christmas Day (25 December) and ANZAC Day (25 April) |
| Adult admission | $27.05 |
| Child admission (4–17 years) | $12.25 |
| Under 4 | Free |
| Parking | Free on-site car park |
| Address | Corner of West Burleigh Road and Loman Lane, West Burleigh, QLD 4219 |
| Nearest public transport | Surfside bus route 756 from Burleigh Heads |
| Typical visit length | 2–3 hours |
David Fleay Wildlife Park opening hours
David Fleay Wildlife Park is open every day from 9am to 4pm, except Christmas Day (25 December) and ANZAC Day (25 April). There are no seasonal variations to the standard opening hours. The park operates year-round without a winter closure.
Daily show and presentation schedules are subject to change; visitors should ask for the current schedule at the admissions counter on arrival, as the specific shows running on any given day vary.
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.
David Fleay Wildlife Park ticket prices
Admission to David Fleay Wildlife Park costs approximately $27 for adults. Prices are set by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, include GST, and are updated on 1 July each year. Always confirm the current price at the official booking page (book.parks.qld.gov.au) before your visit, as the figures below may have changed since this guide was updated.
| Ticket type | Approximate price |
|---|---|
| Adult | ~$27.05 |
| Child (4–17 years) | ~$12.25 |
| Under 4 | Free |
A concession ticket requires a valid Australian concession card to be presented at entry. Holders of a valid Companion Card receive free entry for one companion, when accompanying a concession card holder who has purchased an admission ticket. Tickets can be booked in advance at book.parks.qld.gov.au or purchased on arrival at the admissions counter.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official Queensland Government parks booking website and last updated in May 2026.
How to get to David Fleay Wildlife Park
By car, David Fleay Wildlife Park is 1 kilometre from exit 89 (Tallebudgera Valley/Burleigh Heads) on the Pacific Motorway (M1). It is also accessible via West Burleigh Road, 3 kilometres from the Gold Coast Highway at Burleigh Heads. The park is approximately 15 minutes from Gold Coast Airport and 25 minutes from Surfers Paradise. From Brisbane, allow approximately 90 minutes travelling south on the M1.
By public transport, Surfside bus route 756 from Burleigh Heads passes the park. For timetables and connections, contact Translink on 13 12 30 or visit translink.com.au. For further transport queries, the park can be reached on (07) 5669 2051.
Parking at David Fleay Wildlife Park
David Fleay Wildlife Park has a free on-site car park. This is located directly at the park entrance on Loman Lane. No fee applies for standard parking.
How long to spend at David Fleay Wildlife Park
Most visitors allow two to three hours at David Fleay Wildlife Park, which is sufficient to walk the full network of boardwalks, visit the nocturnal house, attend one or two Ranger presentations, and stop at the café. The park covers 8 acres (approximately 3.2 hectares) and is compact enough to explore thoroughly in a half-day visit.
Visitors specifically coming to see the platypus should allow time in and around the nocturnal house, where the animal is most active during scheduled feeding times. Ask staff at the admissions counter for the platypus feeding time on the day of your visit.
Accessibility at David Fleay Wildlife Park
David Fleay Wildlife Park is highly accessible for visitors using wheelchairs or travelling with prams. The different sections of the park are connected by bitumen paths and timber boardwalks, all with ramps. One small step into the walk-through enclosure has been noted by visitors; contact the park in advance if this is a concern.
Accessible toilet facilities are available at this Australian wildlife park. The café deck and most presentation areas can be reached without steps. Visitors with specific accessibility requirements are encouraged to call (07) 5669 2051 or email [email protected] before visiting.
Inside David Fleay Wildlife Park – what to see
The nocturnal house is the most distinctive feature of the park and the only place on the Gold Coast where visitors can see a platypus. The resident male, Wally, swims in a specially designed, low-light environment. Ranger-led feeding sessions take place daily; ask for the time at the admissions counter on arrival.
The bridled nailtail wallaby enclosure is another unique offering. This species was thought to be extinct for over 30 years and David Fleay is the only wildlife park on the Gold Coast where it can be seen.
Frisby, the park’s resident estuarine (saltwater) crocodile, measures 4.3 metres and is displayed in a naturalistic wetland enclosure. Crocodile feeding presentations run during summer months; check with Rangers for current availability.
The Fleay’s in Flight bird of prey show is the park’s headline daily presentation. Birds of prey demonstrate free-flight skills with Ranger commentary on their behaviour and conservation status.
The Wallaby Walk allows visitors to view swamp wallabies, emus, and other open-habitat species in a walk-through setting. The wider park also houses southern cassowaries, Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroos, koalas, dingoes, dunnarts, greater bilbies, woma pythons, eastern water dragons, shingleback lizards, brolgas, and a butterfly enclosure.
The café serves coffee, Devonshire teas, light meals, and snacks from a sheltered deck overlooking the bushland. Vegetarian options are available.
The Tallebudgera Creek Mangrove boardwalk runs adjacent to the park and can be accessed during your visit, providing a short walk through one of the last large tracts of mangroves on the Gold Coast.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Check the show schedule at the admissions counter | The daily presentation schedule changes regularly. Ask which shows are running when you arrive, rather than relying on any fixed timetable, as the programme varies day to day. |
| Visit the nocturnal house early in your visit | The platypus is most easily spotted around feeding times. Confirm this time at the admissions counter when you arrive and plan the rest of your visit around it. |
| Allow extra time if travelling with children | Junior Ranger programmes for children are available on selected days; check book.parks.qld.gov.au when booking to see if a programme runs on your chosen date. |
| Confirm prices before travelling | Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service updates admission prices on 1 July each year. The figures in this guide were current in May 2026 but may have changed. Check book.parks.qld.gov.au for the current price. |
| The park is smaller than large commercial zoos | David Fleay covers 8 acres and focuses on Queensland threatened species rather than a wide variety of animals. Visitors expecting a large zoo-style experience should read the park overview before booking. |
Frequently asked questions about David Fleay Wildlife Park
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is David Fleay Wildlife Park suitable for children? | Yes. The park offers Junior Ranger programmes, a walk-through wallaby area, platypus viewing, and daily Ranger talks. The compact layout on flat, accessible boardwalks works well for families with young children and prams. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for David Fleay Wildlife Park? | Booking online in advance is recommended and saves time at the gate. Walk-up tickets are also available at the admissions counter on arrival. |
| Is David Fleay Wildlife Park open on Sundays? | Yes. The park opens every Sunday from 9am to 4pm, except when Sunday falls on Christmas Day or ANZAC Day. |
| Can you see a platypus at David Fleay Wildlife Park? | Yes. David Fleay is the only wildlife park on the Gold Coast where a platypus can be seen. The resident platypus, Wally, is in the nocturnal house. Viewing is best around daily feeding times; ask staff on arrival. |
| Is David Fleay Wildlife Park wheelchair accessible? | Yes. Paths throughout the park are bitumen or timber boardwalk with ramps. One step has been noted in the walk-through enclosure. Contact the park in advance on (07) 5669 2051 if you have specific access requirements. |
Things to do near David Fleay Wildlife Park
Burleigh Head National Park – A national park immediately adjacent to the park, with two walking tracks through coastal rainforest: the Ocean View Track (1.2km one-way) and the Rainforest Circuit (2.3km return). Free to enter; accessible on foot from the park.
Tallebudgera Creek – A calm, sheltered tidal creek approximately 1 kilometre from the park, popular for swimming, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. A City of Gold Coast car park is located off the Gold Coast Highway.
Burleigh Heads Beach – The main beach at Burleigh Heads is approximately 2 kilometres from the park, patrolled year-round from 8am to 5pm. The James Street café and dining precinct is a short walk from the beach.
Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre – A cultural centre at the base of Burleigh Heads headland, approximately 2 kilometres from the park, offering Aboriginal guided walks and cultural presentations.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary – A larger wildlife sanctuary 7 kilometres south of the park, with kangaroo feeding, koala encounters, falconry displays, and the Astra Lumina after-dark trail. Paid entry required; see the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary visitor guide for details.
What to visit tomorrow – more wildlife parks within two hours
Australia Zoo, Beerwah – Steve Irwin’s world-famous zoo on the Sunshine Coast, approximately 90 kilometres north of the park. One of Australia’s largest wildlife attractions, with daily shows, a wildlife hospital, and African savannah exhibits.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Brisbane – The world’s largest koala sanctuary at Fig Tree Pocket, Brisbane, approximately 90 kilometres north. Home to over 70 koalas and a wide range of Australian wildlife.
Dreamworld, Coomera – A large Gold Coast theme park 35 kilometres north with a wildlife section including Tiger Island. Primarily a theme park rather than a conservation facility; admission includes both rides and wildlife areas.
Wildlife HQ (formerly Sunshine Coast Zoo), Beerwah – A small zoo on the Sunshine Coast, approximately 100 kilometres north, with Australian and exotic animals including meerkats, large cats, and primates.
More Gold Coast travel
Other Gold Coast 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.
- Organising a visit to Natural Bridge in Springbrook National Park.
- What to expect at Hinze Dam near the Gold Coast.
- Currumbin Beach visitor guide – with parking and lifeguard information.
