The David Fleay Wildlife Park, located in West Burleigh on the Gold Coast, provides an enjoyable and educational day out for Gold Coast Kids. The park is home to lots of native Australian animals and plants and is involved in innovative research into nature conservation. David Fleay Wildlife Park aims to become Australia’s premiere wildlife education facility by promoting our state’s wildlife and particularly by focussing on the research and breeding of endangered species and education of the general public.
Things to see at David Fleay Wildlife Park
As the only nature park on the Gold Coast housing live platypus in their nocturnal house, David Fleay Wildlife Park allows visitors to stroll through the cool rainforest whilst having fun spotting native birds including jabiru, brolgas, owls and cassowary. Fresh and saltwater crocodiles, snakes, lizards, kangaroos, koalas, tree kangaroos, gliders and even butterflies also call the sanctuary home. At David Fleay Wildlife Park, Gold Coast Kids can experience much of our native Queensland wildlife in one place. All animals are housed in natural habitat-inspired enclosures, which further adds to the informative aspect of the park. Roam the park alone with your Gold Coast Kids or join in one of the fantastic activities for guests. Enthusiastic rangers and expert volunteers deliver fascinating information and tales about the wildlife and native plants as you pass by on one of the guided walks available.
Facilities at David Fleay Wildlife Park
The David Fleay Wildlife Park has ensured that all visitors are able to enjoy their wonderful facility. Access with assistance, parking and toilet facilities are provided for the disabled. At the visitor information centre, you can gather lots of information, including details of the Friends of Fleay volunteer organisation. Guided walks can also be arranged through the centre. Sheltered and shaded areas abound and the park café and gift shop are well equipped for visitors. David Fleay Wildlife Park also offers a complete range of wildlife education encounters to primary, secondary and tertiary groups.
History of David Fleay Wildlife Park
David Fleay was best known for being the first person ever to breed the platypus. He opened the park in 1952 as a centre for conservation of our native wildlife. The park was handed over to the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service in 1983 to uphold his legacy of the education of the community, as well as the continued research, conservation and breeding of our native Australian animals.
Playing a very significant role in the renewal plans of numerous threatened species in Queensland, the park gains previously unrecorded data on the animal’s biology through the breeding of animals for release into the wild and, in turn, educates people about these animals.
David Fleay Wildlife Park is presently managed by the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency and is open every day of the year, except for Christmas Day and Anzac Day morning. Take a look at the QPWS website for further information.
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