Tag Archives: Queensland

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary – A Gold Coast Must-See

I have travelled to the Gold Coast in Queensland many times. Most of the trips have been for my kids to participate in competitions for their various sports, but we have always stayed on or had time for some tourist activities. In November during our visit, we went to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary for the first time. Here are my thoughts.

The Gold Coast is synonymous with a few things in Australia – sun, surf, theme parks! After spending some time on the beach, most people that come here immediately fill their days with the thrills of the theme parks. Sure, we have done that too in the past, but really themes parks are not our thing, so we were looking for something else to do for a day.

We had got as far as the carpark a few years ago. There was a short time between other commitments that we wanted to fill in and we had membership at the Adelaide Zoo. The membership gave us reciprocal entry rights at other zoos around Australia. Unfortunately Currumbin isn’t one of them, and for such a short visit the admission price was just not worth it.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary houses Australian native animals. Pretty much any you can think of will be here. The sanctuary is huge, with lots of shady trees. This is perfect to keep the hot Queensland sun off while visiting.

Walkways
Shady walkways to protect from the heat

The first thing we noticed about Currumbin was that it was BIG! No small cages here. There are also some big spaces between the displays. Luckily there is also a little tram to jump on to get from area to area if you prefer. We initially chose to walk rather than get on the tram. The gates had just opened when we arrived. The walk was  peaceful and felt like it was just us and the trees.

Birds
Birds in the aviary

After passing through an aviary, we came to a kids playground area. There were many things to climb on and play with. All had an educational twist to them, with games and challenges. There was a huge spiders web and a gecko wall for climbing on and dinosaur bones buried in the sandpit. As I sat down on the crocodile below a motion-sensored speaker started telling me about the huge reptiles! I was not expecting it and it made me jump so much I nearly fell off the crocodile!

Playground
Entrance to the playground – big kids allowed too!
Crocodile
Luckily that crocodile is not real

Currumbin has an extensive list of wildlife shows and displays that occur throughout the day. There are various animal displays, shearing displays, and cultural displays. We happened to wander past as the Free Flight Bird Show was on and we watched for about 15 minutes as birds flew over our heads. At least, they were mostly just over our heads. They were so close we could feel the wind as they went past, and occasionally got a wing in the head as well. I think we picked the cheap seats 🙂

bird show
Free flight bird show
Pelican
The pelican got lunch too

After the bird show we got swept along with the crowd to the reptile show. Here we got up and cosy with some lizards and snakes. Or at least as close as I like to get. Yes, they let them loose, including a couple a big venomous snakes! I was too busy paying attention to them staying on their own side of the barrier though to remember exactly what sort of snakes they were.

Snake
A snake – no further info matters!

After each of the shows there were opportunities to have photos taken with the animals involved. There was another dedicated area we saw that also had various animals during the day for visitors to get up and close with and have photos too.

One of the most interesting parts of Currumbin for me was the animal hospital. I loved how they had glass walls so you could stay and watch actual procedures taking place. There was nothing happening as I was there. The vets had just woken up a koala. Next there was a turtle about to go in to get his shell mended. I was too busy watching, and didn’t even think about taking a photo!

Tasmanian devil
Tasmanian devil hiding in the undergrowth
Echidna
Echidna
Galah
Galah and friend
Crocodile
That crocodile is nearly as big as the fake one I’m sitting on!
Koala
Nap time

We meandered through to bush visiting some more animals along the way, and soon came to a huge open area where kangaroos roamed freely. We bought a small cup of food and then hand fed a kangaroo or two. They weren’t all that interested though – I think many others before us had also fed them. The kangaroos happily played in the shade while we patted them.

Kangaroo feeding area
Kangaroo feeding area
Kangaroo
Patting the kangaroo

While we were enjoying walking around, we couldn’t leave without a tram ride, so we hopped on the tram thinking we would do a whole loop and then again walk back from where we were. Unfortunately the tram didn’t do a full loop, so in the end we got off back near the entrance/exit.

Tram
The tram. Each one had a different engine.

We had been looking forward to this moment all day! Now was when we were going to hold a koala! Until now, I had never done this, but there was no lineup, and the others I was with REALLY wanted to do it. I thought the koalas would be quite solid and heavy, but really they weren’t. The one we held was soft, but those claws gripping on to me meant business. I would not like to be on their receiving end if the koala got angry.

Holding koala
I got to hold a koala!
Koala
Bailey did too!

Overall this was a really enjoyable few hours. Being Australian, I have seen all of these animals many times over and interacted with some of them at nearly every zoo. It is quite common to be able to feed kangaroos almost everywhere! Still, it was fun. Our visit was entertaining throughout and I did not feel bored or tired of walking. The highlight was holding the koala.

Additional Information

28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin QLD 4223
Ph: +61-7-5534-1266
Website: www.cws.org.au

Book your stay on the Gold Coast

Budget Tip: Do a Google search for vouchers or discounts. I was able to buy a 4 person ticket at about 35% off the regular prices.

*This post contains an affiliate link

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Roll’d Vietnamese, where you can eat for a cause! – Melbourne

Roll'd Vietnamese
Roll’d Vietnamese Street Food

We all need to eat, so why not eat for a cause?  Head into Roll’d Vietnamese street food stores and that’s exactly what you can do. Buy a “Blue Box” for AUD$10.90, and AUD$2 from your purchase is donated to the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation in Vietnam.

Blue Dragon
Purchase a Blue Box to donate to Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation

Back in 2013, we took a backpacking holiday for a month to Singapore and Vietnam. In Singapore, we stayed in a popular backpacking hostel on Joo Chiat Road called the Betel Box Hostel. Here we met now-owner Tony Tan, and his enthusiasm about life and Singapore was inspiring.

During one of our many conversations about our travels, he told us about a children’s foundation set up by an Australian teacher, Michael Brosowski and a Vietnamese university student Pham Sy Chung. This was our first introduction to the important work that the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation performs.

About Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation

The foundation is aimed at rescuing at risk children from homelessness and being exploited. In particular, those that have been trafficked into various forms of slavery. At the time of our travels, Blue Dragon had major centres in Hanoi and Hoi An. We visited their restaurant in Hoi An, where some of the rescued children were running the establishment to learn new life skills. If you are travelling and happen to visit beautiful Hoi An then make your way to 46 Bach Dang St, and eat at the Blue Dragon Restaurant. Their menu is small, but the food they do cook is cooked well, with that home made quality.

Blue Dragon Restaurant, 46 Bach Dang St, Hoi An
Blue Dragon Restaurant, 46 Bach Dang St, Hoi An

The Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation has done some fantastic work and as a result has had an impact on the lives of 68,000 children. It has around 65 staff members, caring for approximately 1,500 children in Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hue, Hoi An and Dien Bien. (Source: Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation).

You have a chance to help this worthwhile foundation by purchasing one of their delicious supporter meals. The Blue Box contains two freshly made Bao buns (sweet steamed bread buns), filled with your choice of five combinations and a drink from a wide selection in store. The buns were soft with just enough flavoursome filling. We tried barbecue chicken, beef and lemon grass, roast pork and crackling, and crispy prawns. While all were good, our favourites were the chicken and pork.  Tofu is the fifth option for those looking for a vegetarian meal variety.

Beef and Lemongrass and BBQ Chicken Bao Buns
Beef and Lemon-grass and BBQ Chicken Bao Buns
Where to find Roll’d Vietnamese Stores

Roll’d Vietnamese street food stores are located in Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland and the ACT.  They also have a store scheduled to open in Adelaide sometime this year. If you are hungry, then check for your nearest Roll’d location here. Support the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation by buying one of these special and tasty meals. When supporting Roll’d Vietnamese an exploited child in Vietnam will be safer and grateful.