5 must-do nature and wildlife activities in Gold Coast

Away from the golden sands of the city's world-famous beaches is the untamed wilderness of World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park. A mere hour's drive from Gold Coast through the lush Lamington plateau and up a windy mountain road will take you to O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat – our top pick for first-timers to this region.

Besides its stunning lodges and mountain-side villas, O'Reilly's offers a breadth of nature and wildlife experiences. Alongside knowledgeable guides, you can visit the best scenic lookouts on a four-wheel drive, join off-road adventures through ancient rainforest and eucalypt stands on a segway or e-bike, or get up close with carpet snakes and sugar gliders on a family-friendly wildlife encounter. It's a different side to the Gold Coast that you won't want to miss. 

Nestled in the foothills of the Gold Coast hinterland is O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards. Thanks to its relatively cool temperatures, these vineyards produce some spectacular artisan wines ranging from the fruity Verdelho to spicy Shiraz. Wander the grape vines or have a meal at the Vintage Restaurant. Our recommendation is to order a gourmet picnic hamper – heaped with delicious cold cuts, cheeses, and antipasti – which you can enjoy by the burbling Canungra Creek. And if you see alpacas running about, don't be alarmed. Those are from the adjacent Mountview Alpaca Farm where you can walk, pat, feed, and take photos with adorable alpacas. 

If you love coffee and nature, then a visit to Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation will give you a bit of both. This boutique plantation has over 600 coffee trees on its grounds, which you can tour for less than $10 SGD. Running from Thursdays to Saturdays at noon, these tours will give you an insider look at the coffee production process – learn about the coffee trees, ask about harvesting season, visit the onsite roastery, and round it off with a mini coffee tasting session. Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation is the reigning champion of the Golden Bean Award for Australian-grown coffee (2019), so it's well worth a visit for a quality caffeine kick. 

Koalas, kangaroos, and Tasmanian red devils – these are some of the native Australian animals you can meet at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. A National Trust attraction, the park retains an untouched charm that invite visitations by wild animals alongside its sanctuary residents. One example is the wild lorikeets, colourful birds that regularly visit the park for feeding sessions at 8am and 4pm. But for a signature photo opportunity, head straight to the koalas for a cuddle and snap, before venturing into the rest of the park to see kangaroos, giant crocodiles, capybaras, dingoes, and more. 

Want to see the sanctuary from a different vantage point? Sign up for the treetop adventure, a fun and challenging obstacle rope course up in the canopy of the rainforest. Or go behind the scenes at the Wildlife Hospital, one of the busiest wildlife hospitals in the world.

If you've never heard of a 'yabby', then a tour with Catch a Crab will get you well-acquainted. Join the hearty fellows for a sail down the wide and blue Tweed River, where you'll go yabby pumping – a quintessential Australian childhood activity that'll have you standing knee-deep in the river catching small, freshwater crustaceans with a metal pump. As part of the experience, you'll also get to feed frisky seagulls and pelicans, pull up mud crab traps, and try your hand at fishing. Back on land, enjoy the fruits of your labour with a fresh seafood-centric meal.