Day Trip Guide · 25 min from Broadbeach
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary — Complete Day Trip Guide from Broadbeach
Hand-feed lorikeets, cuddle a koala, and walk among kangaroos — one of Australia’s best wildlife experiences is just down the road.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is one of those rare places that genuinely lives up to its reputation — and as a Broadbeach local, I reckon it’s the single best day trip you can do from the Gold Coast without getting in your car for hours. It’s 25 minutes south of Broadbeach along the Pacific Highway, it opens early, and it packs an extraordinary amount into a single day.
The sanctuary has been operating since 1947 — yes, it started as a private bird feeding station by a florist named Alex Griffiths who wanted to stop lorikeets eating his flowers. Today it spans 27 hectares and shelters over 1,700 animals across 200 native species. The lorikeet feeding tradition continues every morning at 8am and afternoon at 4pm, and watching a cloud of rainbow lorikeets descend onto outstretched arms full of food is still one of the most genuinely joyful experiences I’ve had anywhere.
What makes Currumbin stand out from other wildlife parks is its authenticity. This isn’t a theme park with a wildlife veneer — it’s a genuine sanctuary, operated by the National Trust of Australia, that also houses Australia’s largest wildlife hospital treating over 12,000 animals per year. You can tour the hospital and watch vets at work, which adds real depth to the experience beyond the photo opportunities.
As someone who lives in Broadbeach, I’d recommend arriving when the gates open at 8am to catch the first lorikeet feeding before the crowds build. Book your koala photo in advance — sessions sell out, especially on weekends and school holidays.
Quick Summary
- 25 minutes south of Broadbeach by car; 35–40 minutes by bus (Route 700 or 701 from Broadbeach South)
- Opens 8am daily — arrive early for the lorikeet feeding at 8am and koala photo sessions
- Koala cuddle photos must be booked in advance — they sell out on busy days
- Allow 3–5 hours minimum; full day if you do the wildlife hospital tour and shows
- Book tickets online via Viator or direct for potential discounts vs gate price
Lorikeet Feeding
The original reason this sanctuary exists. Every morning at 8am and afternoon at 4pm, hundreds of rainbow lorikeets descend in a spectacular, noisy cloud. You’re handed a tray of lorikeet food and within seconds you’ll have birds perched on your arms, head, and shoulders. Pure magic for kids and adults alike.
- Twice daily at 8am and 4pm
- Trays of food provided
- Best photography of the day
Koala Cuddle Photo
One of only a handful of places in Queensland where you can hold a koala for a photo. Trained handlers manage the experience carefully and every koala rotates on a strict schedule to ensure their welfare. The photos are professional quality and worth every cent.
- Book in advance — sells out
- Professional photos included
- Handler supervision throughout
Free-Roaming Kangaroo Area
Walk freely among Eastern grey kangaroos, wallabies, and pademelons in a large open paddock. You can purchase small cups of kangaroo feed at the entrance for a few dollars, and the kangaroos will eat right out of your hand. Watch for joeys in pouches — there are usually several on any given day.
- Hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies
- Joey spotting year-round
- Excellent for young children
Wildlife Hospital Tour
Australia’s busiest wildlife hospital treats over 12,000 animals annually — from injured sea turtles to burnt koalas. The behind-the-scenes tour lets you watch vets and carers in action through viewing windows, and the context it adds to the conservation mission makes the whole visit feel more meaningful.
- See working wildlife vets
- Injured native animals in care
- Australia’s largest wildlife hospital
Aboriginal Culture Show
The Gondwana Sanctuary cultural shows run multiple times daily and include traditional Aboriginal dance, didgeridoo performance, and fire-making demonstrations by the local Yugambeh people. A genuinely engaging 20-minute show that adds cultural depth to the wildlife experience.
- Traditional dance and didgeridoo
- Fire-making demonstration
- Yugambeh cultural storytelling
| Transport | Distance | Time | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car (own/hire) | 26 km | 25–30 min | Fuel + $10–15 parking | Families with prams/gear |
| Uber/Rideshare | 26 km | 25–30 min | ~$25–35 one way | Small groups, no parking hassle |
| Bus (Route 700/701) | 26 km | 35–50 min | ~$3.50–5 with Go Card | Budget travellers |
| Taxi | 26 km | 25–30 min | ~$40–55 one way | When bags are heavy |
| Viator day tour | 26 km | 25 min | From $79/person | Solo travellers, guided experience |
What to See and Do — Full Sanctuary Guide
Currumbin is large enough that it pays to have a plan. Pick up a map and show schedule at the entrance and plot your day around the timed shows before filling in the gaps with free-roaming areas.
The day naturally divides into three zones. The entrance area is where lorikeet feeding happens and where you’ll find the koala, wombat, and Tasmanian devil enclosures — allocate at least an hour here. The central grounds hold the free-roaming kangaroo paddock, freshwater crocodile exhibit, and the main stage for cultural shows. The northern end houses the wildlife hospital, the Australian saltwater crocodile exhibit, and the nocturnal house where you can see sugar gliders, possums, and quolls in simulated night conditions.
Don’t miss: the saltwater crocodile feeding (usually mid-morning), the free-flight bird show where trained birds of prey swoop low over the audience, and the chance to hand-feed emus in their dedicated yard. The emus are surprisingly gentle given their size, though they will absolutely try to steal anything shiny.
Practical Information — Opening Hours, Tickets & Getting There
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is open daily from 8am to 5pm, 365 days a year including Christmas Day. Adult entry is around $59–69 depending on the season; children (3–13) are roughly half price. Under-3s are free. Family passes offer better value if you have two or more kids.
By car from Broadbeach: Head south on the Gold Coast Highway through Mermaid Beach, Miami, and Burleigh Heads, then continue on the Pacific Highway through Palm Beach. The sanctuary is on Tomewin Street in Currumbin, clearly signposted. There’s ample free parking on site.
By public transport: Take the G:link tram to Broadbeach South, then connect to the Route 700 or 701 Surfside bus heading south toward Coolangatta. Get off at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary stop on Tomewin Street — the journey takes around 50 minutes total and costs under $5 with a Go Card.
Book online in advance for the best prices — and definitely pre-book the koala cuddle photo session if it’s a priority. During Queensland school holidays and Easter, these sell out days in advance.
Local Tips & Insider Knowledge
The 8am feeding is smaller and more personal than the afternoon one. You’ll have more space and the birds are hungrier and more enthusiastic. By contrast, the 4pm feeding draws much larger crowds.
Walk-up koala photo sessions are available but limited. Book online at the Currumbin website or via Viator the day before to guarantee your spot, especially on weekends and Queensland school holidays.
The free-roaming kangaroo area doesn’t come with feed — you buy small cups near the entrance for a few dollars. Worth every cent. The kangaroos will ignore you completely until you produce the cup.
The cultural shows, wildlife hospital tours, and bird of prey flights all run at specific times throughout the day. Grab the schedule at the entrance and plan your route around them — missing the croc feeding is a genuine regret.
Currumbin Beach is literally across the road — a stunning, calm beach with excellent surf conditions and far fewer crowds than Broadbeach or Surfers. Stop for lunch at one of the beachside cafes before heading back north.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — Currumbin is one of only a handful of places in Queensland where you can actually hold (cuddle) a koala for a photo, unlike New South Wales where it’s prohibited. The experience involves a handler placing a koala in your arms for a professional photo. Sessions are timed and rotated to protect the animals’ welfare. Book in advance as spots sell out, especially during school holidays and weekends. The photo package starts from around $25.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is approximately 26 km south of Broadbeach, which translates to around 25–30 minutes by car in normal traffic conditions. Take the Gold Coast Highway south through Burleigh Heads and Palm Beach, then follow signs to Tomewin Street, Currumbin. By public transport (G:link tram + Route 700/701 bus), allow around 50 minutes total.
The sanctuary is open daily from 8am to 5pm, every day of the year including public holidays and Christmas Day. The first lorikeet feeding happens at exactly 8am, making it worth arriving right at opening time. Last entry is typically 4pm. The afternoon lorikeet feeding is at 4pm — you can watch it even if you arrived late in the day.
Adult entry is approximately $59–$69 (prices vary slightly by season and whether you book online or pay at the gate). Children aged 3–13 are roughly half price. Children under 3 are free. Family passes (2 adults + 2 children) offer savings and start from around $190. Booking online in advance is generally 10–15% cheaper than paying at the gate. The koala cuddle photo is an add-on from around $25.
The most reliable car-free route is: take the G:link light rail tram to Broadbeach South station, then catch the Route 700 or 701 Surfside bus heading south toward Coolangatta. Alight at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary stop on Tomewin Street. Total journey time is around 50 minutes. Alternatively, an Uber or rideshare from Broadbeach costs approximately $25–$35 one way and takes 25–30 minutes — reasonable if split between a couple or small group.
Ready to Book Your Currumbin Visit?
Book online to save up to 15% vs gate price — and lock in your koala cuddle session before it sells out.
Written and maintained by a Broadbeach local. I update this guide regularly to keep it accurate.