Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, formerly the Macadamia Castle, has announced its new status as a tax-deductible DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient) charity, where every dollar donated is tax-deductible and is spent directly supporting wildlife conservation and education. 

This milestone marks a significant transformation for the long-standing tourism destination, heralding an era of enhanced conservation education and family-friendly facilities for the Northern Rivers community.

With the confirmation of the Sanctuary’s full tax-deductible status, a local philanthropist has generously donated funds to build a state-of-the-art Nature Playground at The Sanctuary for visitors. This playground will significantly improve the Sanctuary's offerings for local families whilst aligning with its mission to connect guests with nature. An ambitious fundraising campaign is underway to raise further funds to expand on the project, to be completed by Spring 2024.

The innovative Nature Playground will aim to create an outdoor precinct that helps our community to create curious, creative and confident children through play and adventure, with added positive effects on children's health and wellbeing. The playground’s design emphasises the importance of nature, ecosystems, and wildlife, using natural and sustainable materials that integrate into meaningful and educational play. 

Coinciding with the playground's launch will be a new membership program for locals, granting year-round access to the Sanctuary's facilities and fostering a strong community. The Sanctuary’s team is dedicated to continually improving the offering for the community so that the facility is not just a Sanctuary for Australian native animals but also visitors. 

The Sanctuary has ambitious plans to transform its enclosures and redevelop park facilities, complementing the enhanced family precinct, the developments include a Reptile House, Nocturnal House, and Rainforest Walk. These projects will focus on ecosystem precincts and offer comprehensive educational experiences for visitors.  

Amanda Gorvin, General Manager of Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, said, “We are thrilled about the future of the Sanctuary following our DGR status recognition. This new chapter will enable significant growth and development, thanks to the generous support from the community and corporate partners. Our Sanctuary is deeply community and family-focused, and we aim to enhance our offerings to benefit visiting guests and our local members while promoting the importance of our natural world,” 

You can help to complete the Nature Playground and significantly improve the Sanctuary's offerings for local families whilst aligning with its mission to connect visitors with nature by clicking HERE.