Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

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Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Wildlife Reserve

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a heritage-listed wildlife park in Currumbin on the Gold Coast, founded in 1947 by Alex Griffiths. Travellers come for the daily lorikeet feedings, native-animal exhibits and family-friendly attractions such as the miniature railway.

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Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary essentials

Address: Tomewin Street, Currumbin, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary began in 1947 as a small bird-feeding attraction and has grown into a nationally recognised nature-based tourist site while retaining many heritage elements. It sits less than 300 metres from the coast and is set among remnant coastal vegetation that contrasts with much of the surrounding Gold Coast development.

The sanctuary is best known for the spectacular, free-flying flocks of rainbow lorikeets that regularly come to be fed on a special nectar mix, an activity that helped establish the site and remains a signature experience. Over the decades the site added features such as a miniature railway, a wildlife hospital and purpose-built exhibits for koalas, birds and native mammals.

Part of the property is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, and the sanctuary includes both the original riverside site and additional reserve lands linked by a pedestrian tunnel under the Gold Coast Highway. Visiting feels like a mix of heritage structures, landscaped gullies and modern interpretive enclosures focused on Australian flora and fauna.

  • Lorikeet feeding arena: Watch or join the famous feeding of free-flying rainbow lorikeets as they swoop in to feed on nectar.
  • Miniature railway: Ride or view the long-running miniature railway circuit that has been operating since the 1960s.
  • Lost Valley precinct: Explore the more recent ‘Lost Valley’ exhibit showcasing native species in immersive, landscaped enclosures.
  • Rainforest and aviaries: Walk through planted gullies and aviaries that recreate subtropical habitats and house many Australian bird species.
  • Wildlife hospital and education displays: See the sanctuary’s wildlife-care work and interpretive displays about conservation and native fauna.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary#

The Gold Coast has a humid subtropical climate; the best time to visit balances warm weather with lower rainfall and smaller crowds.

Winter (best)
June - August · 10°C - 22°C (50°F - 72°F)
Milder, drier conditions make walking the sanctuary comfortable and wildlife is still active; this is generally the driest period with fewer heavy showers.
Shoulder seasons
March - May and September - November · 12°C - 28°C (54°F - 82°F)
Warm but not as hot as midsummer, these months offer pleasant conditions and lower rainfall than the wettest summer weeks, making outdoor activities enjoyable.
Summer (wettest)
December - February · 19°C - 29°C (66°F - 84°F)
Hotter weather and higher rainfall, including occasional storms, can affect outdoor programs and create humidity, though bird activity remains strong.

Weather & Climate near Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary#

Climate

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in January) and mild winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 10°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1654 mm/year), wettest in January.

Air Quality: AQI 25 Good
Best Time to Visit
SeptemberAugustOctober
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
11°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Very Good 20° - 29° 25° 214 mm partly cloudy 78% 5.1 m/s 2.7 extreme 13.6h
February Very Good 20° - 29° 25° 203 mm partly cloudy 77% 4.6 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.9h
March Very Good 19° - 28° 24° 202 mm partly cloudy 76% 4.2 m/s 1.9 very high 12.1h
April Very Good 16° - 26° 21° 183 mm partly cloudy 73% 3.9 m/s 1.4 high 11.3h
May Very Good 14° - 24° 19° 174 mm partly cloudy 69% 3.6 m/s 0.9 moderate 10.6h
June Very Good 11° - 21° 16° 90 mm partly cloudy 71% 3.5 m/s 0.6 moderate 10.2h
July Very Good 10° - 21° 15° 86 mm some cloud 68% 3.1 m/s 0.7 moderate 10.4h
August Excellent 10° - 22° 16° 57 mm mostly sunny 68% 4.0 m/s 1.0 moderate 11.0h
September Excellent 12° - 24° 18° 49 mm some cloud 72% 3.7 m/s 1.4 high 11.8h
October Excellent 15° - 26° 20° 103 mm some cloud 75% 4.8 m/s 1.9 very high 12.6h
November Excellent 17° - 27° 22° 124 mm partly cloudy 76% 4.7 m/s 2.3 extreme 13.4h
December Very Good 19° - 29° 24° 169 mm partly cloudy 77% 4.6 m/s 2.5 extreme 13.8h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary#

The sanctuary is in the suburb of Currumbin on the Gold Coast and is easy to reach from central Gold Coast and nearby coastal towns; major airports serving the region are at Coolangatta (Gold Coast) and Brisbane.

From the coast or airport it is a short road trip to Tomewin Street and the Gold Coast Highway; many visitors arrive by car, taxi or local bus services, with a short walk or taxi from nearby stops to the sanctuary entrance.

Tips for Visiting Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary#

  • Check lorikeet feeding times and any seasonal program schedules locally, as they are a highlight but run at set times.
  • The site is bisected by the Gold Coast Highway; follow signed pedestrian routes and the tunnel to reach the Western Reserve safely.
  • Bring sun protection and water in warmer months and wear comfortable shoes for walking the gullies and paths.
  • There is a wildlife hospital and many animal encounters - photography is usually allowed but follow staff guidance around animals.
  • If you want a quieter visit, aim for weekday mornings outside peak holiday periods.