Animal Encounters

Find out what the fur of a 200 kilogram tiger feels like at Dreamworld’s Tiger Island or dive into Sea World’s acrylic cage to feed sharks. Why not meet their newest members at the dolphin nursery? Stay dry in the boat as you watch wild humpback whales launch their magnificent bodies out of the ocean. Introduce yourself to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s 1000 kilogram saltwater crocodile, get up close and personal with the famous lorikeets or discover an intimate understanding of life on an Australian farm at Paradise Country. It’s all on offer on the Gold Coast.

47Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary - The most iconic Australian native animals in a natural bushland environment, this is a true wildlife sanctuary with education and animal hospital facilities within the open parkland. The most popular residents include a huge crocodile, koalas that like to be cuddled, a mob of kangaroos, and flocks of feeding lorikeets. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has one of the largest collections of Australian wildlife in the world. Famous for being one of the few places in Australia where you can cuddle a koala, you can also handfeed brightly-coloured lorikeets, watch reptile and bird shows, and visit the busiest wildlife hospital in the country.

This relaxed, not-for-profit theme park has been a local pride point for more than 60 years - all revenue is reinvested into the park to help fund conservation-based research, public education, and to care for sick and injured wildlife. You can also enjoy aboriginal performances, Green Challenge Adventure Parc, Wild Island, and ‘Yanguwah’ - Indigenous Dinner and Show!

Dreamworld - Dreamworld is not only home to big thrill rides, it also has one of the largest native wildlife parks in South East Queensland, the Australian Wildlife Experience. Here you can cuddle a koala, wander with the wombats, roam with the roos, get up close to the big crocs and maybe even shear a sheep.

Head to Tiger Island where you can feed a 200 kilogram tiger with an extra-long pair of barbeque tongs in The Lair. Or, go for a walk with the tigers or their cubs and get your photo taken.

Ask about out how you can help Dreamworld in their conservation efforts with the Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation established in 2012. All support and funding goes toward research, education, breeding, habitat and re-introduction programs of threatened and endangered wildlife species.

Sea World - It’s not just the sharks, dolphins, seals, and stingrays that make an impression - polar bears and penguins in the middle of the Gold Coast are really something to see. The wildlife encounters are heartfelt favourites while the themed attractions including Castaway Bay, Jet Stunt Extreme, and the Sea Viper Ride dial up the adrenalin levels. Mixing exciting rides and waterslides with jaw-dropping dolphin and seal shows, the park is also active in conservation efforts and has a successful dolphin breeding program - you can also visit the bottlenose mums and bubs in the dolphin nursery pool. Committed to showcasing and conserving the beautiful marine creatures we share our earth with, Sea World is an energetic celebration of the ocean.

Whale Watching - The Gold Coast enjoys Australia’s longest whale watching season and the advantage of having to travel just 10 minutes out to sea to visit these giants in their natural habitat. From June until November each year the waters along the Gold Coast become known as ‘The Humpback Highway’ with around 25,000 sightings of humpback whales, whale calves, dolphins, killer whales and ‘Migaloo’ the famous white humpback appearing in the waters. View from vantage points along the beachfront or enjoy a whale watching tour and see these gentle giants play in the warm waters, often jumping and slapping their tails as they have a bit of famous Gold Coast fun.