Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary
An affordable sanctuary offering intimate, interactive wildlife encounters with friendly animals and passionate staff.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Public feeding time
Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary
Best Time
Public feeding time
Highlights
Must-see attractions
An affordable sanctuary offering intimate, interactive wildlife encounters with friendly animals and passionate staff.
"Fantastic sanctuary that is incredibly cheap and a much quieter, more interactive experience compared to a lot of other zoos/sanctuaries."
🎯 Feed the Kangaroos!
Buy kangaroo food for $3 at reception. They love a scratch behind the ears!
💰 Great Value Experiences
Dingo encounters ($15) and snake experiences ($10) are incredibly affordable.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Kangaroo & Wallaby Feeding
Open enclosures
Get up close and personal with friendly kangaroos and wallabies. Purchase food for a truly interactive and heartwarming experience.
Dingo & Snake Encounters
Designated experience areas
Experience the thrill of meeting a dingo or handling a python with these affordable and educational animal encounters.
Free-Roaming Birds & Animals
Throughout the sanctuary
Enjoy the company of peacocks, ducks, and other animals that wander freely, adding to the sanctuary's charm.
Reptile Room
Indoor reptile enclosure
Discover a variety of snakes and lizards in a well-maintained reptile room, offering a glimpse into the world of these fascinating creatures.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Affordable Animal Encounters
Interactive & Relaxed Atmosphere
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Feed the Kangaroos!
Buy kangaroo food for $3 at reception. They love a scratch behind the ears!
💰 Great Value Experiences
Dingo encounters ($15) and snake experiences ($10) are incredibly affordable.
🚶♀️ Relaxed Pace
It's a smaller sanctuary, perfect for a leisurely stroll and close animal interactions.
🤝 Friendly & Knowledgeable Staff
Volunteers are happy to share information and love what they do. +1
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Feed the Kangaroos!
Buy kangaroo food for $3 at reception. They love a scratch behind the ears!
💰 Great Value Experiences
Dingo encounters ($15) and snake experiences ($10) are incredibly affordable.
🚶♀️ Relaxed Pace
It's a smaller sanctuary, perfect for a leisurely stroll and close animal interactions.
🤝 Friendly & Knowledgeable Staff
Volunteers are happy to share information and love what they do. +1
🧺 Picnic Facilities
There's a picnic area out front and indoor space for drinks/ice cream.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary's incredible value, friendly staff, and intimate, interactive animal experiences. It's praised as a quiet, affordable alternative to larger zoos, offering hands-on opportunities like feeding kangaroos and engaging in educational animal encounters. While not the most picturesque, the genuine care for animals and the welcoming atmosphere make it a highly recommended destination.
"Fantastic sanctuary that is incredibly cheap and a much quieter, more interactive experience compared to a lot of other zoos/sanctuaries. Great value for money and volunteers are very friendly and are happy to answer questions and pass on knowledge.
Animals include kangaroos and wallabies, ducks, peacocks free roaming and bettongs, turtles, emus and dingoes in enclosures. A range of birds in aviaries and beautiful snakes and lizards in the reptile room. Animals are well cared for and volunteers love what they do. Emus are gentle, kangaroos are very friendly, reptiles are easy to handle. Definitely recommend the animal experiences - a dingo encounter is $15 and snake is $10 which is actually great value for money, a fair and heavily discounted rate compared to other overpriced venues. At 2pm the public can help feed the outer sanctuary, which includes getting up close with the most gentle and wonderfully natured emus!
Kangaroo food available for purchase at the reception for $3 which is always an enjoyable experience, and they love a nice scratch behind the ear!
If you love animals, I highly recommend this facility. I spent hours here by myself and loved every minute of it. Thank you so much to the volunteers for being so wonderful and informative and making this a fantastic experience overall! We appreciate your efforts and hard work in everything that you guys do!"
Brooke Smith
"A extremely affordable, smaller and quiet animal sanctuary that allows you to get up close and personal with the animals. The kids spent ages feeding the kangaroos and wallabies, yet weren’t brave enough to join in the snake or dingo experiences. Big picnic area out the front and a smaller area inside to enjoy drinks and ice-creams. We’ll definitely bring the next set of visiting relatives here."
DarcyRachelle Bennett
"This is a really awesome little spot if you love wildlife, conservation or zoos. Plenty to see here...Kangaroos, Dingos, Birds, Reptiles. A lot of the animals are freely roaming around so you get the chance to hand feed some of the critters. Some really talkative birds too which was a lot of fun. I got more out of a Parrot than I have out of my girlfriend in 5 years. You can also buy reptiles and all the gear from here, they have some quite rare species too if it's a hobby of yours. Overall the place isn't one of the most picturesque sanctuaries I've been to however you can tell that the animals are well looked after. The staff are also super friendly and talkative being more than happy to give you more info. You can tell they love what they do. Entry fee is great too at $15 an adult. We spent a couple of hours here and was well worth the detour and time"
Sam Savage
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The sanctuary is located in Maryborough, Queensland. Driving is the most common way to access it. Parking is available on-site. Check local transport options if you are not driving.
Yes, it's generally well-signposted. Use GPS navigation for the most direct route to Maryborough.
The sanctuary is typically open daily, with visitor centers and bathrooms usually open from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. It's best to check their official website or social media for the most current hours.
Yes, many sanctuaries remain open on public holidays, often with regular hours. It's advisable to confirm their holiday operating schedule in advance.
Public transport options may be limited in the Maryborough area. It's recommended to check with local bus services or consider ride-sharing if you don't have a car.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The entry fee is very affordable, often around $15 for adults, making it great value for money.
While specific discount information isn't always detailed, the overall low entry fee makes it accessible for families. It's worth inquiring directly about any potential concessions.
Information on online ticket purchasing is not widely available. It's generally recommended to purchase tickets upon arrival at the sanctuary.
General admission typically grants access to walk around the sanctuary, see the various animals in enclosures, and observe the free-roaming wildlife.
Yes, special animal encounters like dingo or snake experiences have separate, affordable fees, usually around $10-$15.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can see kangaroos, wallabies, emus, dingoes, bettongs, turtles, various birds in aviaries, snakes, and lizards.
Yes, you can purchase kangaroo food for $3 to feed the kangaroos and wallabies.
The public can help feed the outer sanctuary animals, including emus, at 2 PM daily.
Absolutely! Kids love feeding the kangaroos and wallabies. The relaxed pace and interactive nature make it a great family outing.
There's a visitor center, bathrooms, a picnic area, and indoor space for drinks and ice creams.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, the sanctuary offers drinks and ice creams for purchase. There's also a picnic area for those who bring their own food.
Yes, bringing your own food and drinks is welcome, and there are picnic facilities available.
Snacks like ice creams and drinks are usually available for purchase.
No, there isn't a full restaurant. The offerings are more snack-based, with a focus on visitor convenience.
Maryborough has various cafes and restaurants if you're looking for a more substantial meal before or after your visit.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, photography is generally encouraged. Capture your interactions with the animals and the sanctuary's atmosphere.
The kangaroo enclosures, the free-roaming birds, and during the animal encounters offer great photo opportunities. 
Yes, you can usually take photos during the dingo and snake encounters, but always check with the staff first.
Avoid using flash photography directly at animals, especially in enclosed areas, to prevent disturbing them.
A standard camera or smartphone is sufficient. For wildlife, a zoom lens can be helpful, but not essential given the close proximity.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider booking the dingo or snake encounters for an extra thrill, though younger children might prefer observing from a safe distance.
💰 Budget Travelers
Bring your own picnic lunch to save further on dining costs, as there are dedicated picnic areas.
❤️ Animal Lovers & Conservation Enthusiasts
Engage with a diverse range of species, from the gentle emus and friendly kangaroos to fascinating reptiles and native dingoes.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Heart of Conservation: Animal Welfare
Many of the animals at the sanctuary are rescues, either owner surrenders or those needing a safe haven.
The sanctuary's approach emphasizes interactive learning. Unlike some larger zoos where animals are viewed from a distance, Fraser Coast encourages direct engagement. This hands-on approach, particularly with the kangaroos and wallabies, fosters a deeper connection and understanding of wildlife.
Interactive Experiences for All Ages
Beyond feeding, the sanctuary offers specialized animal encounters that are both thrilling and educational. For a modest fee, you can participate in a dingo encounter or hold a python.
The sanctuary's layout also contributes to its interactive nature. With many animals roaming freely, visitors often find themselves sharing pathways with peacocks or other birds, adding an element of surprise and delight to their visit.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit