Celebrate Queensland wildlife this festive season

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and Queensland is well and truly into the festive spirit. 

Looking for a wild day out over the festive season? While there’s nothing like seeing Australian animals in the wild, Queensland also boasts incredible wildlife parks, zoos and sanctuaries. 

Take a look below at what’s open over the holiday period, as our festive furry locals get into the Christmas spirit.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Brisbane

Just 30 minutes south of Brisbane City, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is home to 130 koalas and over 70 species of other native Australian animals. Meet a koala, hand-feed the kangaroos, or catch the action in the flight raptor show.

Rain, hail or shine, Lone Pine is open every day during the festive season, including Christmas day, boxing day and New Year’s Day.

Rainforestation Nature Park, Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

Rock around the rainforest this Christmas at Rainforestation Nature Park to meet the wildlife locals, board an amphibious World War II Army Duck for a unique rainforest tour on both land and water, and learn about Indigenous culture with the interactive Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience.

Rainforestation is open throughout the festive season, but closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Cape Hillsborough National Park, Mackay

Thought you could only catch a glimpse of reindeer on Christmas Eve? Kangaroos at Cape Hillsborough National Park put on a show as they headed into the water sleigh-style. Make your own way to the water’s edge on any day of the festive season to watch the sunrise and meet friendly wallabies and kangaroos as they bound along the sand.

To snap the perfect shot, here’s how to get your own ‘wallabies at dawn’ photo.

Looking for more wildlife encounters in Queensland?

• Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast: Open every day except for Christmas day.
• Australia Zoo, Sunshine Coast: Open every day except for Christmas day.
• Billabong Sanctuary, Townsville: Open every day except for Christmas day. 

For more wildlife inspiration, check out our top 7 animal encounters in Queensland.