Gold Coast RegionFauna Gastropods Insects Marsupials Spiders

The Gold Coast and Hinterland has some amazing fauna to be found, from mammals, marsupials, birds, reptiles, amphibians, coastal and sea creatures, as well as the small denizens to be found in the scientific class of Insecta and Arachnida, among other amazing creatures.

Mother and young Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), Gold Coast QLD © Stefan Jones
Mother and young Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), Gold Coast QLD © Stefan Jones

So if spiders are your thing, or you just want to admire some of the stunning spiders presented here, check out Gold Coast Spiders. Also check out our Australia-wide fauna section on Spiders.

Arkys cornutus (Horned Triangular Spider), Gold Coast QLD © Stefan Jones
Arkys cornutus (Horned Triangular Spider), Gold Coast QLD © Stefan Jones
Scorpion-tailed Spider (Arachnura higginsi), Nerang QLD © Hongming Kan
Scorpion-tailed Spider (Arachnura higginsi), Nerang QLD © Hongming Kan
Phonognatha graeffei (Leaf-curling Spider), Gold Coast QLD © Stefan Jones
Phonognatha graeffei (Leaf-curling Spider), Gold Coast QLD © Stefan Jones

The region is home to some amazing beetles, see some of the Castiarina in the Gold Coast Beetles. Also check out our Australia-wide fauna section on the Jewel Beetles in the family Buprestidae, genus Castiarina.

Castiarina bella, Nerang QLD © Hongming Kan
Castiarina bella, Nerang QLD © Hongming Kan
Pandorea Leaf Beetle (Johannica gemellata), Gold Coast QLD © Stefan Jones
Pandorea Leaf Beetle (Johannica gemellata), Gold Coast QLD © Stefan Jones
Castiarina spinolae, Nerang QLD © Hongming Kan
Castiarina spinolae, Nerang QLD © Hongming Kan

The insects in the Gold Coast are all around… providing a great point of interest for the budding entomologist with plenty to observe…

Amorbus alternatus (Eucalyptus Tip-wilting Bug), Gold Coast QLD © Stefan Jones
Amorbus alternatus (Eucalyptus Tip-wilting Bug), Gold Coast QLD © Stefan Jones
Ants (genus Pheidole, family Formicidae) with Diphucephala sp (Green Scarab Beetle), Nerang QLD © Hongming Kan
Ants (genus Pheidole, family Formicidae) with Diphucephala sp (Green Nerang QLD © Hongming Kan
Stout Vicetail (Hemigomphus heteroclytus) male, at Tallabudgera Creek, Gold Coast QLD © Jeff Melvaine
Stout Vicetail (Hemigomphus heteroclytus) male, at Tallabudgera Creek, Gold Coast QLD © Jeff Melvaine
Green-head Ant (Rhytidoponera metallica), Rainforest Track, Burleigh Heads QLD © Tony Eales
Green-head Ant (Rhytidoponera metallica), Rainforest Track, Burleigh Heads QLD © Tony Eales
Amerila timolis (Timoli's Frother), Gold Coast QLD © Marc Newman
Amerila timolis, Gold Coast QLD © Marc Newman

and the Gold Coast is a great for bird watching…

Striated Pardalote (Pardalotus striatus)
Striated Pardalote (Pardalotus striatus), Burleigh Heads, QLD
Southport Broadwater, Gold Coast Region QLD © Kyle Smith
Pelicans at Southport Broadwater, Gold Coast Region QLD © Kyle Smith

Footnote & References

  1. Photographs © Hongming Kan
  2. Many thanks for ID to Mark Hanlon, Allen Sundholm, Kimberi Pullen, members of Australasian Beetles Only, Facebook group, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1180404322409639/
  3. Stout Vicetail (Hemigomphus heteroclytus) male © Jeff Melvaine
  4. Photographs © Tony Eales
  5. Amorbus alternatus (Eucalyptus Tip-wilting Bug) © Stefan Jones
  6. Amerila timolis © Marc Newman

Gold Coast RegionFauna Gastropods Insects Marsupials Spiders

QueenslandQueensland Fauna Gold Coast Region Lamington National Park Southern Downs QLD