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Everything You Need to Know about Lyell Deer Sanctuary
- Overview of the Lyell Deer Sanctuary
- Things You Need to Know
- How to Get to Lyell Deer Sanctuary
- What to See and Do in Lyell Deer Sanctuary
- Meet Lyell’s resident deer
- Hand feed the rescue deer
- Lay down your picnic rugs and enjoy nature
- Meet the other rescued animals
- Mark your calendar for the Paint and Play event
- Visitor Tips and Reminders
- Our Itinerary
- FAQs
If you’re searching for an exciting yet affordable experience, visiting Lyell Deer Sanctuary might be it for you. It is the perfect spot to get up close and meet the charming rescue deer of Lyell Sanctuary while strolling the picturesque hills of Samford Valley.
From red and rusa to fallow deer, the entire sanctuary is dedicated to being a deer’s paradise. As a bonus, it isn’t that far from the city, and it only took us less than an hour to reach this beautiful hideaway.
It was a fun-filled adventure and one that left us with plenty of fond memories. So if you’re looking for your next weekend adventure, why not add Lyell Deer Sanctuary to your list?
Overview of the Lyell Deer Sanctuary
– Media from: lyelldeer
Address: 6 Lyell Ct, Mount Samson, QLD 4520, Australia
Website: https://www.lyelldeersanctuary.com.au/
Contact Details: 0411 485 156
Operating Hours: Saturday and Sunday – 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Admission:
- Adults: $10 per person
- Children (age 1 to 16): $5 per person
- Family (two adults, two children): $25 per family of 4
- Extra children in family $3 each
Lyell Deer Sanctuary is located in the serene Mount Samson, about a 40-minute ride north of Brisbane. It is set amongst the majestic countryside, just at the foot of the D’Aguilar Range.
The Sanctuary is currently managed by a family that operates rescue services not only for deer, but also for goats and other animals in desperate need of help.
Unlike traditional commercial zoos, this place doesn’t have fancy cages. Instead, it features a couple of enclosures with lovely deer and other animals on a private acreage property.
For over thirty years, this sanctuary has been an undisturbed refuge designated to protect the welfare of these beautiful creatures and create a space to appreciate their existence.
Things You Need to Know
Best Time to Go: The sanctuary is open all year, but the day and season can affect your overall experience. Mornings are usually the most peaceful, with soft light spilling over the paddocks, and the deer are more active.
While you can schedule a visit on weekdays for a quieter visit, weekends tend to be livelier with families and children roaming around the entire premises of the sanctuary.
In terms of seasons, spring and autumn are both lovely months to visit the Lyell. This is due to cooler weather, allowing you to wander comfortably and interact with the animals. If you happen to visit on a summer day, it’s best to arrive early.
Essential Amenities: The Lyell Deer Sanctuary is only a small operation, but it features a couple of important and helpful facilities that are easily accessible to the public. These include:
- Undercovered picnic tables that are intended for BYO picnics
- A small cafe
- A play area for children
- A gift shop with handcrafted, deer-themed merchandise
- Handwashing facilities
- Public restrooms
- Off-road parking for several vehicles
Accessibility: Both the covered and uncovered seating areas are accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs. Other wheelchair-accessible areas include the area near the paddocks for feeding the deer and other animals through the enclosures.
However, the paddock itself is sloped. We suggest leaving prams near the entrance and carrying infants and toddlers.
How to Get to Lyell Deer Sanctuary
By car: Driving is the most direct way to visit the sanctuary since it is located at the foot of the D’Aguilar Range.
From Brisbane CBD: From the city center, we headed north via Samford Road (also accessible via Gympie Road). Both routes are scenic and well-marked.
Following signs toward Mount Samson, we then entered Lyell Court, a small residential street where the sanctuary is located at No. 6.
Parking: While there is limited on-site parking, plenty of parking spaces are available on the streets.
Via Public Transport: Due to its rural setting and relative distance from major transit routes, public transport isn’t directly available to the sanctuary.
What to See and Do in Lyell Deer Sanctuary
Meet Lyell’s resident deer
– Media from: lyelldeer
We wandered around the stunning bushes of the park. In just a few minutes of walking, we were thrilled to meet Lyell’s resident deer as they sauntered straight in front of us, wanting to be petted.
There are sleek fallow deer with marble eyes and velvet noses, a few cheeky wallabies lingering near the edges of the fences as if they’re getting ready to welcome all the guests. We weren’t able to resist petting them.
The deer are thriving in this place, and they were absolutely gentle and calm toward visitors. It shows how well they are being cared for in this sanctuary.
Hand feed the rescue deer
– Media from: lyelldeer
Since the deer are quite gentle, we were allowed to hand-feed them. During our short orientation with the owners, each visitor received a small bag of deer pellets. We are allowed to feed the deer through the fence.
To my surprise, one doe walked right up and gently nibbled the food directly from my palm. The herd was also well-behaved. No rushing and no pushing, just the soft sound of hooves on the grass and the occasional crunch of pellets.
Lay down your picnic rugs and enjoy nature
– Media from: lyelldeer
If you happen to visit the place on a lovely sunny day, we suggest bringing your picnic rug and finding a nice spot to rest and enjoy the greenery. If you’re lucky, a fawn might rest by your side.
The sanctuary also has an undercovered picnic area that you can use for BYO picnics. We had a simple spread laid out, with chicken sandwiches and bottled juices, while watching the herd graze a short distance away.
Meet the other rescued animals
– Media from: lyelldeer
Other rescue animals are also at the sanctuary, and visitors are permitted to visit their enclosures.
During our visit, the sanctuary had freely roaming ducks around the area. There’s also a Peter and Peggy, and multiple rescued chickens. Peter was a performer as he majestically showcased his full tail display while we were standing outside the paddocks.
Mark your calendar for the Paint and Play event
– Media from: pinotandpicassoredcliffe
Paint and Play is a holiday school event, organized by Pinot & Picasso. At this event, you not only get to pet the deer but also paint them in a beautiful and peaceful setting.
The entire activity includes a 2-hour art lesson and a ticket price of $49 per person, which already covers entry to Lyell Deer Sanctuary. This isn’t a regular event, so make sure to follow their page for updates.
Visitor Tips and Reminders
| Pro Tips: Listen to and follow any safety information provided upon entry. Be mindful of the body language of animals to avoid aggravating or overstepping their boundaries. No rough or unkind treatment of animals will be tolerated. Ensure that no litter is left anywhere. Since this is a sanctuary, litter, such as plastic wrappers, can pose a hazard to the animals in the premises. We recommend bringing cash, as entry fees and deer pellets are usually on a cash-only basis. Wearing comfortable clothes and shoes is a must. Expect grassy areas, insects, and mud puddles (if it rained recently). You might want to bring a packed lunch and make the most of the undercover area. If you don’t have time to make one, there’s also a cafe in the area. Visitors are reminded that having picnics inside the paddocks is prohibited. |
Our Itinerary
We went here on an early Saturday morning to avoid the traffic and to maximize our day.
10:00 AM– We arrived just in time for the opening of the sanctuary. We had a brief orientation from the owners and proceeded to the paddocks.
10:30 AM- We explored the paddocks and fed the deer.
11:00 AM– Explored other animal enclosures, such as the peafowl and the guinea pigs.
12:00 PM- Visited the antler display and took some Instagrammable photos.
12:30 PM– After a few hours of exploring, we had lunch at the covered picnic tables.
1:00 PM- We quietly observed the deer and watched them grazing as we sat in shaded areas.
2:00 PM- We departed the sanctuary and headed back to the Central Business District in Brisbane.
