Things to do

Photo credit: Maxime Coquard, Queensland Government

Meet our amazing wildlife

In 1951, visionary Australian naturalist, Dr. David Fleay, founded a wildlife park where visitors could experience native wildlife in habitats designed to mirror the natural world. His mission was clear: to inspire a deep connection with Australia’s unique fauna while fostering respect for their conservation.

Today, Dr David Fleay’s legacy thrives at David Fleay Wildlife Park, where you can continue to have extraordinary wildlife experiences while learning about the conservation work of Queensland’s national park Rangers. Share in our wildlife ambassador’s captivating stories and meet up close some of Australia’s iconic wildlife. Whether you’re walking along scenic boardwalks or exploring our immersive nocturnal house, every visit brings you closer to the heart of nature.

Dr Fleay’s passion for environmental education lives on in every aspect of the park, continuing to inspire generations to protect the rich biodiversity of Queensland.

Join us at David Fleay Wildlife Park and be part of this legacy – let nature inspire you!

Photo credit: © Robert Ashdown, Queensland Government

Explore different habitats

Spot koalas, pademelons, dingoes and rock wallabies as you stroll along boardwalks that take you though many different natural habitats and pathways that lead you through shady rainforest and tall eucalypt forest settings.

Discover the near-threatened Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo, adapted for life in the trees instead of the ground. They often rest in the forks of branches, so take a closer look—you'll be surprised at how well they are hidden.

See an amazing variety of Australian birds including proud pelicans, graceful emus and elegant brolgas.

Spy on our ‘rainforest gardeners’, the endangered southern cassowaries (pictured) from the rainforests of North Queensland, busy spreading the seeds of rainforest fruits in their dung.

Take a close look at one of the oldest and most successful predators on the planet—the crocodile.  Learn how to be Crocwise in Croc country from the safety of the boardwalk that leads you through the park's wetlands.

Watch Waddirrang (Platypus) in her watery enclosure as she goes about her normal day’s activities

Photo credit: Maxime Coquard, Queensland Government

Visit the Bilbies on the Gold Coast. They are a long way from their hot, dry grasslands of outback Queensland.

Photo credit: Maxime Coquard, Queensland Government

Visit the nocturnal house

Peek in on some of Australia’s rarest and most unusual creatures in the nocturnal house.

Many of our native animals are nocturnal (active at night) and are rarely seen in the wild, but in the nocturnal house, you can get up close and personal with some of these fascinating night creatures.

Meet Waddirrang, our resident platypus. Spend time getting to know her as you watch her playful antics as she forages and feeds, occasionally demonstrating her wet and wild ability to turn a waterfall into a water slide! Platypus are particularly difficult to spot ‘in the wild’ so meeting Waddirrang is a very special experience!

Watch some of our cutest animals, the gliders, at play. Squirrel gliders are extremely shy and feel most at home in the high eucalyptus trees, foraging for native blossom and insects.

You’ll be captivated by the elusive Bridled nailtail wallabies, once thought to be extinct for over 30 years! The Queensland Government has been working hard to re-establish the species at our scientific reserve. Fleay’s is the only place in the world that visitors can see them up close.

Spy on the speedy Spinifex hopping mice, a tiny insect-eating marsupial with razor-sharp teeth, nimble jaws and lots of personality!

Enjoy ranger wildlife talks

Across the day our Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Ranger team will provide an array of talks and presentations – don’t miss our 11:00am Secrets Behind the Scales presentation, or in the warmer months our 11:00am Let’s Get Crocwise presentation. And the 1:00pm Fleays in Flight show within the Amphitheatre is not to be missed! On arrival ask our Admission staff for details on other wildlife talks that may be scheduled for the day.

Relax in the cafe

Why not enjoy a relaxing snack or lunch on our deck listening to the local wildlife choir.

Birthdays, weddings and venue hire

The restaurant and surrounding park grounds make David Fleay Wildlife Park a great place for events, whether special occasions or regular meetings. Have a birthday party with a difference, with your very own Wildlife Ranger and native Australian critters! Why not take wedding photos with wildlife! The choice is yours. Read more about the cafe.

Volunteer with bush tucker garden refurbishment.

Photo credit: Jen Bartlett, Queensland Government

Explore more Gateway Visitor Centres

Why not take some time to discover other Gateway Visitor Centres in Queensland’s national parks:

• Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre at Enoggera Reservoir in Brisbane. This bushland oasis located on the edge of D’Aguilar National Park and just 12km from the heart of the city, is perfect for families, friends and visitors to Brisbane. Explore the Information Centre and enjoy a variety of outdoor recreational activities in picturesque surrounds.
• Mon Repos Turtle Centre at Bargara in Bundaberg. Learn about the special journey turtles and people have taken and join a Ranger on a Turtle Encounter to catch a glimpse of a turtle’s world—at least for one night! (operates November – end March).
• Daisy Hill Koala Centre is a dedicated koala education facility nestled among eucalypt trees just 25km south of Brisbane. Meet our resident koalas, explore the interactive displays and learn about how you can contribute to koala conservation.

School excursions

View information on our school excursions which feature environmental education activities linked with the Australian Curriculum.

Holiday programs

View information about upcoming school holiday programs at David Fleay Wildlife Park and Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre.