Whether you’re hoping to cuddle a koala or feed a meerkat, the Gold Coast offers wildlife encounters to amaze animal-lovers of any age.
With the school holidays fast approaching, this list of wildlife encounters will be your best friend while you plan a holiday with the kids.
Sea World
Start the fun at Australia’s number one marine park, Sea World. There are so many amazing things to see and do here, it can be tricky to know where to start.
The park is home to a number of arctic and aquatic animals, from seabirds to seals, sharks to stingrays. The best way to encounter them all is by simply wandering the park and booking a ticket for the daily shows.
ONE Dolphin Presentation is an all-new show about the connection between humans and dolphins. Take a seat at Dolphin Beach Stadium and watch as dolphins show off their amazing tricks under the guidance of a friendly keeper. Then, visit Polar Bear Shores to meet Australia’s only polar bears in an exhibit that replicates the conditions of the Arctic, before observing penguins in their icy habitat on a Penguin Antarctic Adventure. This behind-the-scenes tour lets you join a keeper in a range of penguin activities, including feeding, while you learn more about these amazing animals. Don’t worry, overalls, jackets, boots, and gloves are provided to keep you warm in this winter wonderland.
Make sure to check out the thrilling rides throughout the park, and stop by one of the many food vendors for a hearty meal after a day of exploring. Peter’s Ice Creamery offers classic sweet treats and ice-cream flavours, while Top Terrace Cafe is the ideal spot for hot food near the main entrance.
Glow Worm Caves
Found in the Tamborine Mountains, the Glow Worm Caves are environmentally controlled man-made caves designed to protect the local glow worm species (Arachnocampa flava) from rising levels of deforestation.
Glow worms are extremely important to their environment as they control insect populations. The caves are complete with realistic stalagmites and stalactites accessible on a fully guided tour. Start with a short walk through the rainforest before descending into the cave with a qualified guide. After a brief documentary about glow worms, you will be led into a cavern overrun with thousands of sparkling worms. The astounding sight is sure to take your breath away, as you see these magnificent creatures up close.
Once your tour is over, your ticket also provides access to Frog Hollow. Here, you can enjoy the self-guided exhibit about the invertebrates, tree frogs and other rainforest species local to the area. There’s even a scavenger hunt for children to help them learn more about all of these magnificent creatures.
Mountview Alpaca Farm
Mountview Alpaca Farm is set within the beautiful O’Reilly’s Vineyard in the Gold Coast hinterland. Here, as well as producing stellar wines, daily alpaca experiences let you get up close to these fluffy friends. Choose between a 30-minute or 60-minute experience, where you will be given a bag of food to give to your alpaca as you lead them around the property. Staff members will help you with walking, patting, feeding, and take plenty of photos before leaving you for one-on-one time with your new bestie.
If you’re passionate about the adorable bambinos, you can help staff with training the baby alpacas, feeding them and taking them on one of their first 30-minute experiences.
After your experience, wander over to O’Reilly’s for pizzas and picnic baskets, plus a full kids menu to enjoy. Adults are welcome to order a glass of wine or join a tasting experience to enjoy in the sun.
If you aren’t ready to leave yet, the Alpaca Farmhouse is a three-bedroom lodge set on five acres of land. Alpacas and chickens will make themselves at home around the property, leading to a truly unique experience for kids.
Paradise Country
An authentic farm experience, Paradise Country offers fun for the whole family. Here, Aussie wildlife and farm life roam in their paddocks, with the chance to meet dingos, wombats, Tasmanian Devils, goats and guinea pigs.
Start your morning with a Koala Breakfast, where you will enjoy a buffet meal from the Farmhouse Restaurant, joined by a cute koala eating its own breakfast of eucalyptus leaves. The passionate wildlife team are happy to tell you all about these cuddly creatures in the educational presentation, and part of the proceeds go towards conservation activities.
Then, book a ticket for the Stock Horse Arena & Billy Tea Show, where you will watch the Australian Stock Horse show as jockeys maneuver around farming obstacles, before gathering around the campfire to learn about the farming life of Billy Tea.
Other incredible experiences include opal mining, gold panning, pony rides, and meerkat meet-and-greets. Children are even invited to become a ranger for the day, where they will work alongside a Wildlife Keeper for a full day to take part in activities including animal feeding, park preparation and animal handling. Little ones hoping to immerse themselves in the world of a real-life farm can visit the nursery to meet the park’s smallest animals, including guinea pigs and goat kids.
O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat is found in the world heritage-listed Lamington National Park. The retreat is home to more than 160 native species, and is only a short distance from incredible waterfalls, hikes, and lookouts.
Book a wildlife encounter to hold a carpet python, feed squirrel gliders, or pet a cockatoo. Then, visit the free bird show to witness incredible aerial displays from birds of prey in front of a mountain backdrop, and finish the morning by launching yourself from the 180-metre flying fox, which is perched 25 metres above Morans Creek. There’s also plenty of walking tracks to explore, which take you all through the national park for incredible natural views.
After your day of exploring, head to the dining room for a long lunch with matching wines. The buffet menu features pizza, beef brisket, honey-glazed ham, salads, and traditional favourites. Or, stop by the mountain cafe and gift shop for light meals including wraps, toasties, coffee, scones and cakes.
To stay a little longer, book one of 48 self-contained and architecturally designed villas perched on the hillside, with panoramic views over the McPherson Ranges, each with a private deck, barbecue and spa bath. Or, take part in a world-class ecotourism experience and sleep in one of 17 safari tents with access to the communal camp kitchen, fire pit and meeting room.
Can’t get enough of these wildlife encounters? Click here to discover what else the Gold Coast has to offer.
Travel to the Gold Coast
Rex flies to Queensland. Explore the Rex website to find the best deals and begin your animal adventure.
