Description

Australia Zoo is a 100 hectare (40 ha) zoo located in the Australian state of Australia on the Sunshine Coast near the Beerwah Mountains / Glass House. This is a member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA), and is owned by Terri Irwin, widow of Steve Irwin, whose wildlife documentary series The Crocodile Hunter makes the zoo a popular tourist attraction. The zoo is run by Director Wes Mannion.

The Australian Zoo was opened by Bob and Lyn Irwin on June 3, 1970 under the name Beerwah Reptile and Fauna Park. Their son, Steve, has been helping his parents since he was young to treat crocodiles and reptiles and to keep growing numbers of animals at the zoo. In 1982 the park was renamed Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park and the area was duplicated by purchasing 4 more hectares (1.6 ha). Steve and Terri changed the name of their wildlife park which is now developing into the Australian Zoo. Because filmmaking generates additional funds, Steve and Terri put all the money earned from making films and merchandise into conservation and building new exhibitions.

Australia Zoo won the Australian Tourism Awards for 2003–2004 in the Main Tourist Attraction category. In 2004, the Australian Animal Hospital opened next to a zoo to help care and rehabilitate animals. Recently, zoos were finalists in two categories for the Queensland Tourism Award 2010. Visitors will see various types of birds, mammals and reptiles, and can see crocodile food, feed elephants, and have direct encounters with animals. In 2009 as part of the Q150 celebration, the Australia Zoo was announced as one of the Q150 Queensland Icons because of its role as "location".

Every changing angle reveals the discovery of other amazing animals with world class scope and abundant interactive opportunities. Children will love feeding kangaroos, camels and farm animals, and a unique wilderness team that wanders will personally introduce you to snakes, talking parrots, baby crocodiles, lizards and all kinds of mammals as you navigate your way through 28 hectares and visit more than 1000 animals.

At the Australian Zoo, with more wildlife and entertainment than you can imagine, With more than 1,200 animals and a pile of events every day, you will get your action and adventure in one epic place. Get straight away with cuddly koalas, wombats wandering, snake snakes and cute kangaroos. Get to know beautiful tigers, or take your photo with their graceful eagle.

Other Information

Inclusions

• General Admission

Exclusions

• Wildlife Hospital entry is NOT included

Highlights

• The Crocoseum - Check out our resident Masters of Ceremonies doing their thing during the wildlife shows, as well as a whole host of crazy and hilarious characters
• Tiger Temple - Home to our majestic Sumatrans and Bengal tigers, the Tiger Temple provides an amazing opportunity for you to get up-close with these magnificent big cats
• Africa - Crikey! It's as wild as life gets at Australia Zoo's new open range exhibit - Africa. Stage one is now open and you can see the only multi-species African exhibit in Queensland
• Witness the wonderful team of vets as they treat and rehabilitate injured, sick or orphaned wildlife at Wildlife Hospital, one of the largest and busiest wildlife hospitals in the world

Time

• Open from 9am to 5pm, 7 days (excluding Christmas Day 25th December)

Location

• Australia Zoo is located on Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah, Sunshine Coast, approximately a one hour drive north of Brisbane

By Car

• Travel on the Bruce Highway, take the Steve Irwin Way exit and follow the signs. Takes roughly 1 hour from Brisbane, 2 hours from the Gold Coast, and 3.5 hours from Hervey Bay

By Train

• Catch the train from Central Station, Brisbane to Beerwah. Local bus transfers can be caught from the Beerwah train station to Australia Zoo.

Coach Transfers

• Daily day tour and coach transfers operate from Brisbane and the Gold Coast. 

Australia Zoo Coach pickup service from the Sunshine Coast

• Australia Zoo has partnered with Greyhound Australia for pick up and drop off coach services around the Sunshine Coast. Greyhound operate daily services between Noosa, Coolum, Maroochydore, Alexandra Headlands, Mooloolaba and Australia Zoo in Beerwah

What To Bring

• Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Rain Poncho
• Water
• Snacks/Food
• Camera
• Comfortable clothes and shoes
• Watch
• Cash

What NOT To Bring

• Domestic Animals
• Alcohol
• Your own animal food. Please feed our wildlife the correct food and do not bring your own food. Animal food is available from the Kids Zoo and Kids Shop

Additional Information

• Children aged 2yrs and under receive complimentary entry
• Mobile vouchers accepted

Booking Information

• Tickets are valid for 12 months from date of purchase
• Australia Zoo accept companion cards for free entry
• Confirmation in the form of a tour voucher will be received at time of booking
• Upon completion of purchase, please print the voucher and present on the day of entry
• Mobile Vouchers are accepted! - Vouchers can also be presented on your mobile device for this attraction
• For your information, complete Tour Operator information including contact details is included on your tour voucher