A smiling family of four—two adults and two children—sit together in an old, open-air amusement park ride on a sunny day, surrounded by greenery.

10 Must-Do Things on the Gold Coast for Animal Lovers

Get closer to Australia’s wildlife with unforgettable encounters and farmyard fun.

Emily D

Published Date: 4 Feb 2026

If you’re searching for things to do on the Gold Coast that bring you closer to nature, Paradise Country is the place to be. From native wildlife to friendly farm animals, it’s the perfect destination for animal lovers looking to connect with Australia’s great outdoors.

 

 

Here are 10 must-do experiences that make Paradise Country a must-visit for animal lovers of all ages.

A family of four, two adults and two children, walk hand in hand outside a rustic building labeled "Save a Mate Headquarters" on a sunny day, surrounded by greenery.
A woman and a young girl smile while petting a sheep that is grazing on grass in a sunny, green outdoor setting with trees in the background.

1. Get Up Close in a Koala Encounter

Meeting a koala is a true Aussie dream and Paradise Country makes it easy to tick this off your list. Enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience* with Paradise Country’s koala population. Join our passionate wildlife keepers as they take you on a special back-of-house tour through our naturalistic habitats to meet the resident koalas. Enjoy the precious interaction as you connect with the koalas and learn about their biology, habitats, and threats. You will also receive a professional photo to take home with you after the encounter. This is one of the most popular things to do on the Gold Coast, and a portion of the proceeds from every Koala Encounter is donated to Paradise Country’s Save a Mate conservation campaign, proudly supported by the Sea World Foundation.

A woman and a young girl smiling and standing next to a koala sitting in a eucalyptus tree, outdoors in a wooded area.

2. Discover Playful Personalities in the Marmoset Encounter

 

 

Tiny, curious, and endlessly entertaining, the marmoset monkeys at Paradise Country will melt your heart. In this Marmoset Encounter you’ll step inside their exhibit and watch as they swing, climb, and interact around you. Keepers explain how these clever primates communicate and care for their young, and you might even spot some cheeky sibling behaviour. It’s the perfect encounter for animal lovers who want an up-close look at these cheeky little characters.

Two common marmoset monkeys sitting on a tree branch at an Australian wildlife park.
Two women stand in a lush, indoor enclosure, smiling as several small monkeys climb on and around them.

3. Meet a Curious Meerkat

 

 

The Meerkat Encounter is one of the most loved experiences at Paradise Country. These desert dwellers are always on the move, digging, playing, and a lookout. Guests can learn about their social structure and unique behaviours throughout these behind-the-scenes interactive and educational encounter.

Family smiling and laughing during a meerkat encounter at Paradise Country, with a meerkat perched on a woman’s shoulder.
Three meerkats stand on rocks in an enclosure while four children wearing caps watch them through the glass, smiling and appearing fascinated by the animals. Sunlight shines in the background.

4. Meet Australia’s most iconic Canine in the Dingo Photo Experience

 

 

The Dingo Photo is a highlight for anyone fascinated by Australia’s native wildlife. You’ll get to meet Paradise Country’s resident dingoes and take home a professional photograph of your experience. Our keepers will introduce you to these iconic Australian animals and share fascinating insights into their behaviour and role in the wild. It’s a unique, truly Aussie experience perfect for anyone who loves native wildlife.

A woman and two children sit on a log outdoors, smiling and petting two dingo puppies, with trees and a fence in the background.

5. Take a Walk on the Wild Side with the Snake Photo

 

 

If you love scaly, slithery creatures, the snake photo* is a must-do. With our expert keepers guiding you, you’ll meet one of our resident snakes up close and have the moment captured with a professional photograph to take home.

A child points at a snake lying on a rocky surface inside a glass enclosure, accompanied by two adults, as they observe the scene together.

6. Wander Through the Wildlife Walkabout

 

 

Beyond the encounters*, take a walk through the immersive wildlife walkabout to meet more iconic Australian wildlife. The area sits inside the kangaroo habitat where you can interact with kangaroos in a stunning natural setting. Have the opportunity to see other native wildlife like the koala, Tasmanian devil, wombat and emu, and learn interesting facts about them as you go along. Keep an eye out for daily Wildlife Presentations** and enjoy a short educational presentation by one of the wildlife keepers.

 

 

**Daily wildlife presentations change day to day. To find out what presentation is on for the day, head to guest services and check the presentation board.

A family of four, two adults and two children, walk hand in hand outside a rustic building labeled "Save a Mate Headquarters" on a sunny day, surrounded by greenery.
A group of adults and children stand at a wooden fence in an outdoor zoo, observing animals in an enclosure surrounded by trees.

7. Enjoy Live Farm Shows

 

 

Paradise Country celebrates Aussie farm life with daily shows.

 

 

The Stockman Show is a family favourite! Watch as stockmen and their dogs work together in unison to round up a flock of sheep, show you how to throw a boomerang, milk a cow and watch the skill it takes to get that almighty crack.

 

 

Then, head to the Stock Horse Arena and Billy Tea show, gather around a campfire, and learn all about the craftsman ship of making a cup of billy tea. Next, you’ll be captivated as you watch the Australian stock horse in a show full of action, speed and skill as they maneuver around and over farming obstacles.

 

 

8. Pony rides and kids’ farm fun

 

 

Younger visitors will love pony rides* and meeting farm animals in the Farmyard Nursery and Farmyard Play Paddock of the farm’s family-friendly atmosphere. These activities are designed to make animal interactions memorable for even the littlest adventurers.

Stockman in cowboy hat riding a brown horse during an arena show at Australian Outback Spectacular, with cheering crowd behind the fence
Two children wearing helmets ride horses, each led by an adult in blue shirts and hats, walking on grass in an outdoor setting with trees in the background.

9. Explore nearby Queensland attractions

 

 

Paradise Country is close to other Gold Coast Village Roadshow Theme Parks including Warner Bros. Movie World and Wet’n’Wild, making it easy to visit with ticket options to suit everyone. Alternatively, or in addition to a day spent at the parks, guests can choose the dinner and show package at Australian Outback Spectacular for a uniquely immersive Australian entertainment experience.

 

 

Looking to visit multiple parks in one day? Hop on board our shuttle bus that will take you between Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet’n’Wild and Paradise Country. Head to guest services to find out more about taking of our shuttle buses.

 

*Paid Experiences

People ride a blue and yellow roller coaster as it speeds around a curve, surrounded by palm trees and clear blue sky on a sunny day.
Two children hug a person in a large Shaun the Sheep costume on stone steps outdoors, with colorful flowers nearby and several people in the background enjoying a sunny day.
Children play under a large splash of water at a colorful outdoor water park, surrounded by slides, stairs, and flags. A sign reads “Junior” near the play structure. The scene is lively and fun.

10. Learn from Passionate Wildlife Keepers

 

Throughout the day, Paradise Country’s wildlife keepers share insights, stories, and fascinating facts during talks and presentations. These moments give animal lovers a deeper understanding of each species, their behaviours, and conservation efforts, adding extra meaning to every encounter and making the visit both fun and educational for all ages.

 

 

Ready for your animal adventures?

 

 

If you love animals, fresh air, and authentic Australian charm, Paradise Country is a must on your list of things to do in Gold Coast. From wildlife encounters to farm shows and nature-filled stays, it’s a true hidden gem for families, couples, and animal lovers.

A smiling woman in a khaki shirt holds a black parrot while talking to three children in caps, who are seated and attentively watching her. They are indoors, with a wooden wall and a sign in the background.
A group sitting at an outdoor table with breakfast food and drinks. A woman is holding a koala, engaging with the others. Trees and a pathway are visible in the background.

10 Must-Do Things on the Gold Coast for Animal Lovers