FurDU (Furry Down Under) is Australia's largest furry convention, established in 2010 and held at the Crowne Plaza in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. The 2025 "Gods and Monsters" edition drew 2,086 attendees and raised $29,310 for WildLife Empire; the 2026 "Beyond the Beach" edition followed in April with sold-out tickets and rooms.
The 2026 "Beyond the Beach" edition has wrapped, and FurDU has not yet announced dates, theme, Guests of Honor, or a charity partner for 2027. The convention has typically run in mid-April at the Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise, with tickets and the host-hotel block selling out well in advance. Watch furdu.com.au and the official Bluesky for the next round of announcements.
Because April is Australian Autumn, the weather is well-suited for outdoor fursuiting. The convention's "Fursuit Walk" sees suiters parade from the hotel into the Surfers Paradise public spaces.
With the Gold Coast Airport (OOL) and Brisbane Airport (BNE) providing international and domestic access, FurDU serves as a vacation-destination convention.
Gallery
SoonA better gallery is coming. These photos are gathered automatically for now, but we are curating sharper, hand-picked shots. A submission form is coming soon too. Want yours on the site? Get in touch or follow us on Telegram and X for the suggestion waitlist.
From attendees
Two airports serve the Gold Coast region. Gold Coast Airport (OOL) is about 25 km south in Coolangatta, with direct domestic flights from most Australian capitals plus some international routes from New Zealand and Asia. From OOL, take the 777 bus to Surfers Paradise (about 45 minutes, budget-friendly) or grab a taxi (around $50 to $65 AUD, fixed rate to Surfers Paradise).
Brisbane Airport (BNE) offers a wider range of international and domestic connections. From BNE, take the Airtrain to Brisbane Central, then transfer to the Gold Coast line via Helensvale, where the G:Link tram connects to Surfers Paradise. Shuttle buses also run direct from BNE to the Gold Coast (roughly 90 minutes).
Once at Surfers Paradise, the G:Link light rail has a stop at Florida Gardens directly in front of the Crowne Plaza, making it easy to move along the coastal strip without a car.
Curated stays near Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise, Surfers Paradise, Australia.
The convention is held at the Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise, located on Ferny Avenue in the heart of the Gold Coast's main tourist strip. The beachfront hotel provides direct beach access and is walking distance to shops, restaurants, and Cavill Avenue nightlife. Room rates vary seasonally; check the FurDU website for any negotiated convention rates. Additional accommodation options are plentiful along the Surfers Paradise strip, with budget hostels, apartments, and hotels all within walking distance of the venue.
FurDU 2026 ran April 17-19 at the Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise with WildLife Empire as the charity partner and Astris Fursuits and SavajBunny as Guests of Honor. Tickets and the host-hotel block sold out before the weekend. Final attendance and the charity-auction total had not been posted to official channels at the time of writing.
FurDU 2025 reached 2,086 attendees and raised an impressive $29,310 for WildLife Empire. The convention featured guests of honor Rick Griffin, Loprov, and CoolKoinu under the "Gods and Monsters" theme, held April 4-6 at the Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise.
Historical data and growth track record
See how this convention grew over time.
| Year | Dates | Theme | Attendance | Charity Raised | Guest(s) of Honor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2027 | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | None Announced |
2026 | Apr 17-19 | Beyond the Beach | TBA | (WildLife Empire) | Astris Fursuits, SavajBunny |
2025 | Apr 4-6 | Gods and Monsters | 2,086 | $29,310(WildLife Empire) | Rick Griffin, Loprov, CoolKoinu |
2024 | TBA | TBA | 1,421 | TBA | None Announced |
2023 | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | None Announced |
2022 | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | None Announced |
Want more context? Compare this convention against other furry events or browse the attendance rankings.
Browse our complete calendar with dates, locations, and details for every upcoming furry convention.
View Full CalendarAttending FurDU? Check out our guides:
Also in Oceania:
See upcoming conventions by date, region, and attendance.
Check verified attendance rankings and growth trends.
Put dates, prices, and features side by side.
Switch to smaller furry events, furmeets, and club nights.
Jump into the alphabetical index if you want another event by name.
3 quirks & policies that don't fit the highlights grid.
Furry Down Under Inc. and a second furry con in Brisbane
Furry Down Under Inc. is the registered Australian non-profit that runs the convention, and the reclining-kangaroo mascot is a registered trademark of the org, both stated explicitly in every page footer. The same parent body also runs Tails of Terror, a Halloween-themed sister convention held at the Hotel Grand Chancellor Brisbane each October (2026 dates: Oct 2-4; $130 standard / $260 sponsor AUD).
Acknowledgement of Country on every page
Every page on `furdu.com.au`, FAQ, survival guides, news feed, dealer info, carries an Acknowledgement of Country recognising the Traditional Custodians of the land, their continuing connection to land, waters and community, and Elders past, present, and emerging.
The codified "6-2-1" survival rule and on-site role guides
The "6-2-1 rule", six hours of sleep, two meals, one shower per day, is folklore at many cons, but FurDU is one of the few that writes it down as official guidance on its own site, under `/about/survival-guides/attendee/`.
Photos come from public Bluesky posts and are used editorially with attribution. Spotted yourself and want a photo removed? Email [email protected] and we’ll take it down promptly. Want to be featured in the next refresh? Send your handle to the same address.
