Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Currumbin on the Gold Coast, Queensland. The non-profit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) is owned by the National Trust of Queensland, with all of their profits being reinvested into animal care at the sanctuary and throughout Australia. I wanted to visit an animal preserve that helps to protect the Australian environment and the animals that live within it. It’s important for me to support an ethical company with conscious practices, which also educates visitors about Australian native animals and their protection in the wild. With the largest collection of Australian native animals, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is the perfect place for me to get a glimpse of what Australia has to offer.

Being one of the original Gold Coast tourism attractions, they are known for their wild lorikeet bird feeding, Air Asia Free Flight Bird Show, and housing one of the largest salt-water crocodiles on the Australian mainland. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary went above my expectations. Their partnership with Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Center shows their commitment to Australia. They house one of the busiest wildlife hospitals run by volunteers in Australia and treat animals brought in by the public for free. A visit to the hospital is also included in the admission to the sanctuary. CWS is not only impressive, but the most natural attraction on the Gold Coast and is Advanced Ecotourism Certified.

CWS is also the perfect start to Australia’s Green Cauldron-lush volcanic landscape. The World Heritage rainforest, waterfalls, and rock pools are within a protected coastal forest. Not only that, CWS is just 200 metres from the famous Currumbin Beach and Elephant Rock where you can get one of the best coastline views of dazzling Surfers Paradise and chillin’ Collangatta. There really isn’t a better place to be on the Gold Coast.

Throughout my day at Currumbin, I was thrilled to see for the first time Tamar Wallabies, Koalas, Dingoes, Kangaroos, Wombats, Rock Wallabies and Brolgas, yet the elusive Tasmanian Devil wouldn’t come out of hiding. I enjoyed visiting the Kangaroos and holding a Koalas. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. Like a child in a candy store, I was ecstatic to see multiple baby Joeys in the pouches of some mama Roos. The Kangaroos were just as curious about me and my GoPro as I was about them. With all of the kangaroos being born at the sanctuary, they are extremely friendly and affectionate. It has always been my dream to visit Australia; becoming close friends with some Kangaroos just sealed the deal for me and made Australia real.

While visiting with the Kangaroos, I asked one of the zoo keepers what the main differences between Kangaroos and Wallabies are. Instead of telling me, he showed me. The keeper went out of his way to take me in a Wallaby exhibit where entry is only permitted with a staff member. Wallabies are secretive animals and don’t like all the attention from visitors. I was able to see two different Wallaby species: Rock Wallabies and Swamp Wallabies in the exhibit, while talking intensely with the keeper. I appreciate the one-on-one attention you get at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and the intimacy of the park.

I don’t know if I would have had such an experience if I visited a busy commercial zoo. CSW was the perfect place for me to experience real Australia in the heart of the Gold Coast. As a teacher, I give a gold star of approval for Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and hope others can experience Currumbin the way I experienced it. Authentic, natural, and one of a kind.

My new friends