Say hello to the best zoos and wildlife parks in Queensland

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Cuddle koalas for the day at Lone Pine, an 18-hectare site founded in 1927 that can proudly claim to be the world’s oldest and largest koala sanctuary.

Daisy Hill Koala Centre

Get better acquainted with some of Australia’s iconic animals at the Daisy Hill Koala Centre, an information centre about koalas sitting in the midst of a conservation park on Brisbane’s outskirts.

Gold Coast

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

A treasure trove of animal experiences await you here, at these heritage-listed zoological gardens and animal hospital on the Southern Gold Coast dubbed one of the best zoos and wildlife parks in Queensland. Expect to be greeted by lorikeets, dingoes, kangaroos and more.

David Fleay Wildlife Park

Nudging family-friendly Tallebudgera Creek sits this cluster of natural habitats, housing a collection of the state’s unique and threatened species - like the thought-to-be-extinct bridled nailtail wallaby.

Dreamworld

You’ll find some of Australia’s most famous flora and fauna at Australia’s biggest theme park. Dreamworld Corroboree is host to kangaroos, dingoes, bilbies, wombats, and a duo of saltwater crocodiles (dubbed Matilda and Goliath).

Paradise Country

Embrace this authentic farm experience for a taste of life on the land. Sheep shearing, pony rides, and a stockman show are few of the immersive options available for the whole family to enjoy, alongside a slew of exotic animal exhibitions.

Sunshine Coast

Australia Zoo

Welcome to the home of the Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, a 700-acre zoo tucked into the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. One of the best zoos and wildlife parks in Queensland, Steve’s family continue to care for the animals here, from Tasmanian Devils to Sumatran Tigers.

Wildlife HQ

A neighbour to the iconic Big Pineapple, this valiant animal haven offered a new home for the former residents of Alma Park Zoo. There are plenty of exotic wonders to say hello to here, including the critically endangered Cotton Top Tamarin.

Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World

Feathered friends are plentiful at this Sunshine Coast hinterland space. The privately-owned garden stretching 18-acres boasts four walk-through aviaries, with 700 native and exotic bird species between them.

Southern Queensland Country

Greet Queensland’s leading regional zoo found among the farming region on the cusp of the Great Dividing Range. This family-owned venue is a proud specialist in the captive breeding of many critically endangered species from around the globe.

Capricorn

Rockhampton Zoo

Sitting in the middle of a much-loved park is this council-owned animal escape, where more than 60 species of native and exotic creatures mingle. Don’t worry about bringing your wallet - this place is free to the public.

Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary

This open-plan Capricorn Coast destination spread across 25 acres takes care of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife that are then rehabilitated and released back to the wild, as well as permanently houses those that can’t.

Fraser Coast

Snakes Downunder Reptile Park

Fans of all things that slither will find a friend in Bundaberg at this venue where a plethora of snakes mingle with the likes of tortoises and komodo dragons. Handy hint: don’t miss out on the snake show.

Townsville

Billabong Sanctuary

Meet your favourite Australian animals on the outskirts of Townsville where this family-run (and particularly immersive) conservation project continues to care for native wildlife in their native habitats.

Bungalow Bay Koala Village, Magnetic Island

Say hello to Australia’s only resort with a wildlife park on site - this is one of the best zoos and wildlife parks in Queensland thanks to its convenience and its famous offering of breakfast with the koalas.

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures

Nudging the world-heritage-listed Wet Tropics is this 10-hectare ecotourism park devoted to crocodiles. Believed to be home to the first crocodile shows in the country, eight decades later the Crocodile Attack Show is as popular as ever.

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary

Animals of a very different kind tend to frequent Australian Butterfly Sanctuary among the luscious overgrowth of Kuranda, the largest butterfly flight aviary and exhibit in the Southern Hemisphere.

Wildlife Habitat

Among the best zoos and wildlife parks in Queensland is this Port Douglas attraction. This eco-accredited sanctuary welcomes guests to interact with Australian animals in their recreated natural environments, from wetlands to rainforest and woodland.

Kuranda Koala Gardens

Make way for the rainforest town of Kuranda where you’ll find a gathering of koalas to cuddle, alongside equally popular Australian animals, quokka included.

Birdworld Kuranda

Fan of flying? This rainforest resident boasts Australia’s largest collection of free-flying birds, with 350 different species of feathered friends here, from cassowaries to black cockatoos.