David Fleay Wildlife Park

DAVID FLEAY WILDLIFE PARK: A HIDDEN GOLD COAST GEM

Nestled in the bushland behind Burleigh Heads is a little-known treasure called the David Fleay Wildlife Park. Established by Dr David Fleay in the 1950s, the wildlife park is a tranquil and quiet habitat for a large variety of wildlife, all of which are endemic to Queensland.

Many of the animals, birds and reptiles that call the park home have been rehabilitated after being injured or diseased. If they are unable to be released back into the wild, they are lucky enough to live out their days in the 18 acres of eucalypt forest, rainforest and mangroves of the park. The park offers daily shows and talks with rangers, picnic facilities, bushwalks and an onsite cafe, making it a great morning or afternoon out for families.

Animals at David Fleay Wildlife Park

Fleay’s is home to a number of endangered and rarelyseen species, including the bridled nail-tail wallaby, which was thought to be extinct until a small population was found in western Queensland in 1973. They also have the little-known Lumholtz tree kangaroo, which is only found in the wild on the Atherton Tablelands in North Queensland. Animals you can expect to find at David Fleay Wildlife Park include: • Pademelons • Proserpine rock-wallabies • Crocodiles (freshwater and estuarine) • Swamphens • Brolgas • Dingoes • Bilbies • Squirrel gliders • Spinifex hopping mice • Snakes • Potoroos • Koalas • Platypus • Cassowaries • Butterflies • Pelicans • Curlews • Frogs • Owls • Bird of prey, including wedge-tailed eagles • Dunnarts • Lace monitors • Emus

Animal encounters and shows at David Fleay Wildlife Park

Staff at the park run daily presentations and although the schedule is subject to change, it often includes kangaroo feeding, a ranger talk about cassowaries, a nocturnal house tour and the long-running Fleay’s in Flight bird show. These presentations are all included in the entry price. During school holidays, the popular Junior Rangers program allows children to get hands-on and help out with animal feeding and enrichment, as well as going behind the scenes. These activities incur an additional cost and book out quickly, so visit qld.gov.au/davidfleay for more information. A new offering is their VIP tour, which, for an extra fee, allows you to personalise the tour according to the wildlife you are most interested in learning about.

Accessibility at David Fleay Wildlife Park

For the enjoyment of the whole community, Fleay’s is very accessible for those using wheelchairs or bringing strollers or prams. The different sections of the park are connected by bitumen paths or timber boardwalks with ramps. A wheelchair-accessible bathroom is located next to the café. Guests can bring their own lunch and make use of the shaded tables and chairs, or spread out on a picnic rug. In late 2021, a brand new cafe opened at Fleay’s selling light meals, snacks, cold drinks, ice creams, tea and coffee. There is also a separate 900m bushwalk that leaves from the reserve, called the Tallebudgera Creek walking track. The first 400 metres of the track are wheelchair and pram accessible, with room to turn around.

Getting to David Fleay Wildlife Park

David Fleay Wildlife Park is located on the corner of Loman Road and West Burleigh Road, West Burleigh. Parking at the park is free.

Opening Hours

The centre is open daily from 9am until 4pm, and is closed on Christmas Day and ANZAC Day morning.

Cost of entry

Adult: $25.50 Child (4 to 17 years inclusive): $11.55 Child (under 4 years): Free Concession (tertiary students, seniors/pensioners and other concession card holders): $16.80 David Fleay Wildlife Park website