Currumbin Nature Reserve, located in the town of Currumbin on Australia's Gold Coast, is world-famous for its huge flocks of wild rainbow parrots that come here every day to eat for their special treats. There are many events, shows and attractions such as wild dog encounters, dingo shows and wild bird shows or feeding the giant saltwater crocodiles. There is also a state-of-the-art veterinary clinic and rehabilitation centre, where hundreds of sick and injured animals are brought in every day.
The sanctuary was created by beekeeper Alex Griffiths in 1947, who wanted to save his flower plantations from being devastated by the local rainbow parrot population. The feeding of the picturesque birds soon evolved from a local curiosity into a popular tourist attraction. And to this day, twice a day, parrots of unimaginable colourful parrots come to the reserve twice a day to be fed - now it's the visitors who do the feeding. In addition to the parrots, the reserve boasts one of the largest collections of Australian animals in the world: there are Tasmanian devils, koalas, kangaroos, wombats, and various reptiles. The cross-cutting bird aviary is the largest in the southern hemisphere. You can see almost the entire territory of the reserve, by taking a ride on a miniature railway that's been running since 1964.
In 60 years of history, the Currumbin reserve has been visited by millions of tourists, and and today it continues to offer an insight into Australia's astonishing wildlife.
