David Fleay Wildlife Park -your kids will love being a Junior Ranger
Nestled in the heart of Queensland’s Gold Coast, David Fleay Wildlife Park is a great school holiday option for families seeking adventure and a deeper connection with nature. With its unique blend of interactive wildlife encounters and educational programs, this lesser-known sanctuary is a haven for kids to unleash their curiosity and ignite their love for the natural world.
Although you can visit David Fleay Wildlife Park and stroll around on your own, booking the kids into a Junior Ranger program for the morning is one school holiday activity not to be missed.
About the David Fleay Wildlife Park
More than just a park, David Fleay Wildlife Park is unique. Why? Because it’s the only wildlife park that is Queensland Government (QLD National Parks) owned and operated. As a result, it doesn’t have that ‘commercial feel’ of a zoo that can leave an uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach. Conservation and education of Australia’s threatened species are at the heart of what they do.
Behind the scenes at David Fleay Wildlife Park, rangers rehabilitate injured and orphaned animals and, where possible, release them back into the wild.
Ways to experience the David Fleay Wildlife Park
We’ll start with our favourite way to experience the David Fleay Wildlife Park … as a Junior Ranger!
The Junior Ranger school holiday program is for children ages 5 – 12 years. Kids aged 5 – 7 years can book into either the Waterway Warriors program or the Junior Rangers Helper program.
During the Waterway Warriors program, kids join the rangers to learn about the fantastic wildlife that can be found in our waterways. Expect to meet a range of reptiles, mammals and aquatic birds while learning their rescue stories. They will also participate in activities designed to teach them how to help keep our waterways clean.
Alternatively, the Junior Ranger Helper program lets the kids ‘go wild’. Junior Rangers will join the David Fleay Wildlife Park rangers in the nocturnal theatre to meet fascinating night creatures. After that, they’ll trek through the beautiful national park, spotting the signs the wildlife leaves behind. Finally, kids will create an enrichment toy using recycled materials for one of the park’s residents and watch them play with their creations.
Here’s a quick peek at what to expect on the Junior Ranger Helper program:
Older children aged 8 – 12 can book into David Fleay Wildlife Park’s Junior Ranger Habitats at Home program. Here they will learn more about the ways we can give our native wildlife a helping hand, focussing on those species most affected by human activities. Kids will explore ways to re-establish habitats in their own backyards, and they’ll even get to create their own wildlife habitat that they can then place in their garden.
Parents wanting to stay on-site while children are enjoying the school holiday programs can either enjoy the David Fleay Wildlife Park at their own pace or take a break at the Fleays Cafe with whatever beverage and snack takes your fancy.
Other ways to experience the David Fleay Wildlife Park include:
- Standard ticket (stroll around on your own)
- Annual pass
- VIP Ranger Guided tour (up to six people)
- VIP Ranger Guided Threatened Species Trail (up to six people)
- Group booking (minimum of ten people)
Don’t miss these while you’re at the David Fleay Wildlife Park
Tallebudgera Creek Walk
Departing from the carpark at David Fleay Wildlife Park, venture along raised boardwalks on the Tallebudgera Creek Walk to experience one of the Gold Coast’s remaining large mangrove tracts. Signs will teach you of the area’s cultural significance for the Kombumerri people, and there are some lovely views of Tallebudgra Creek through the twisted mangrove tree trunks.
The David Fleay Wildlife Park Bird Show
Don’t miss the Birds in Flight show at the David Fleay Wildlife Park. It’s not a huge show, but it’s still thoroughly entertaining. It’s not uncommon for many other birds that frequent the natural surrounds of the park to make an uninvited appearance.
Check out the Nocturnal House
Make sure to visit the Nocturnal House at David Fleay Wildlife Park, where families can watch the intriguing behaviour of Queensland’s nocturnal animals. There is excellent signage, but it’s great to time it with an informative talk to learn about our endangered species and conservation efforts.
The best part about it?
One of the best things about the David Fleay Wildlife Park is that it’s not a massive park compared to Australia Zoo and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. So although you could spend the whole day here if you wish and take in all the shows and talks, for those that prefer to spend a morning out and head home for a relax in the afternoon, you can easily do that here as well.
The uncrowded nature of this wildlife park is a big win.
Getting there and getting around
Find David Fleay Wildlife Park in West Burleigh on the Gold Coast. Google Maps will do a good job of getting you there, but if not, the park is two minutes drive from the Tallebudgera Creek Road turn-off on the Pacific Motorway (exit 89). Travel to the corner of Loman Lane and West Burleigh Road in West Burleigh, and drive into the David Fleay Wildlife Park carpark. Parking here is free.
Trains operate regularly from Brisbane to the Gold Coast, and connecting bus services can be accessed from the train station to get closer to the park. The Surfside Bus Route 756 stops near the intersection of West Burleigh Road and Loman Road, and from there, it’s only a 330m walk along West Burleigh Road to the park entrance.
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Gold Coast family holiday resources
Best time to visit the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is really an all-year-round holiday destination. However, it gets pretty busy during the summer school holidays.
December to February sees tropical weather with more chance of rain. Many tout April and May as a great time to visit due to lower rainfall, but I personally find the ocean a bit too chilly at this time.
Where to stay
If staying in Burleigh Heads, Swell Resort is a fantastic option for families with roomy apartment-style offerings. The resort is set close to restaurants, only 100 metres from the beach. This is my top pick for the Gold Coast.
If staying in the Gold Coast Hinterlands, you can’t go past Binna Burra Lodge or O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. Both offer a range of accommodations.
If you’re looking for a family resort with everything to occupy the kids, NRMA Treasure Island and Paradise Resort are top choices.
Those seeking luxury will love the Gold Coast Marriott or The Star.
Getting to the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is located one hour south of Brisbane on the East Coast of Australia.
Both domestic and international flights service the Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta. Find a great deal on Trip.com
The Gold Coast is connected by rail to Brisbane’s Roma Street and Central stations. There is also an AirTrain that runs a regular rail service taking around 90 minutes.
Getting around the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast has an extensive bus service with over 60 routes within the city. If venturing to the Gold Coast Hinterlands, hiring a car is an excellent option if you don’t have your own.
