Australia Zoo — Attraction in Sunshine Coast Regional

Without a doubt, this is the finest zoo I have ever had the pleasure of visiting in Europe, Brazil and the USA. While the Madagascar enclosure in Zurich is a close second, the overall experience left me in awe of the remarkable work Terri Irwin and her family/team have done to create such a captivating environment.

Our journey began with a convenient tour bus pickup from the Marriott by Croc Tours, where our driver Steve shared intriguing tidbits to prepare us for our day at the zoo. As we traveled, we even spotted several koalas crossing bridges over the busy freeway, setting the tone for the adventure ahead.

We arrived just before 9 AM, coinciding beautifully with the zoo's opening. Notably, Steve Irwin's mother insisted on building a hospital within the zoo, showcasing their commitment to animal care. I think you can even go into the hospital without having to pay entry into the zoo!

Our guided tour provided us with invaluable insights and recommendations on how to navigate the zoo effectively. While it is possible to see the key attractions in a single day, taking the time to truly appreciate each exhibit is highly recommended. Two days and multiple visits.

What sets this zoo apart? The grounds and enclosures are immaculately maintained, reflecting a philosophy that prioritizes the well-being of the animals and plants. Unlike many institutions in the USA, where creatures are often compelled to perform unnatural behaviors, the dedicated keepers here facilitate short, stimulating interactions that promote natural behaviors. The animals, including the magnificent tigers, dingos, snakes, etc appeared content and well-cared for, with several enclosures thoughtfully designed to offer privacy from public access and they rotate them to prevent fatigue from the animals being in the public viewing.

For those seeking an intimate experience, private tours are available, however, the opportunity for a memorable kangaroo encounter at the back of the zoo is free. Just buy food. These gentle creatures are quiet, curious, often nuzzling up for a sniff or playfully tugging at your clothing, with many of them eagerly to ask for a snack.

Koalas are everywhere, and guests can even have the chance to pet one, though holding them incurs an additional fee. You can touch their bum. The crocodile show is a standout attraction, featuring captivating footage of the Irwins and engaging interactions with the keepers, complemented by a breathtaking display of birds in flight. However, it’s important to remember that crocodiles are cold-blooded and patient creatures; while they may not leap out of the water on cue, the experience is nonetheless thrilling. Keep your toddlers away from the fence.

The culinary offerings at the zoo are outstanding, catering to even the most discerning palates. With a variety of options—burgers, salads, sushi, sandwiches, and delightful sweets—their food choices cater to every taste. Importantly, all proceeds support animal care efforts. I have read some posts that seem absolutely picky with food choices. It’s the ZOO and they did an outstanding job to cater to almost anyone.

Facilities such as clean restrooms, elevators for strollers and wheelchairs are available. Plenty of water fountains, along with strategically placed hand sanitizer stations, ensure a comfortable visit.

A few points to keep in mind: The zoo cannot control the weather, so be prepared for rain if it’s in the forecast. The animals do not have shelter in the wild. This is a no brainer. Please refrain from attempting to hug or grab the animals, as this is disrespectful to them. Be mindful of ongoing filming by the TV crew; don’t back up your wheelchair or scream at your kids when they are filming. Lastly, please remember to dispose of your trash properly; we noticed some litter left behind just moments after the Croc show asked for a clean environment. In summary, this zoo offers an unforgettable experience, blending stunning natural wonders with a deep commitment to conservation and animal welfare. Bravo! This is...

We recently visited Australia Zoo, and it was a truly unforgettable experience! We arrived via public transport and were pleasantly surprised by how smooth and well-connected the journey was. From start to finish, everything ran on time and dropped us off conveniently close to the zoo entrance.

The ticketing system was efficient and well-organized. There were four separate queues: for pre-booked tickets, group bookings, same-day purchases, and special access. The process was smooth and signage was clear. Tickets are available in either paper or digital format, which is a nice touch.

A lesser-known feature is the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, located outside the main park. It can be added as an extra experience or is sometimes included if you book a special encounter. It’s an amazing facility doing real conservation work—definitely worth a visit for those interested in animal welfare and rescue efforts.

Our personal highlight was the Koala Encounter—a magical experience we’ll never forget. If this is on your list, book it well in advance—at least two months—because there are only four slots per session. After booking, you’ll be directed to the Service Counter, about a 5-minute walk from the entrance. There, you confirm your booking, sign a digital agreement, and provide some basic personal info. About 10 minutes before the encounter, you’ll gather at the counter and be guided to your designated meeting point.

We were introduced to Tallon, a 9-year-old male koala with a sweet nature and a big appetite for eucalyptus tips. He was calm, cuddly, and absolutely adorable. The handlers were friendly, knowledgeable, and ensured the animals were treated with respect.

The zoo itself is huge, very clean, and clearly maintained with love and dedication. It’s more than just an animal park—it’s a living tribute to the Irwin family's commitment to wildlife conservation and education. You can feel Steve Irwin’s legacy in every corner of the park, from exhibits to signage to the animal habitats.

The koala section was our favorite! With over 65 koalas, including 7 joeys, Australia Zoo has one of the best koala facilities we’ve ever seen. There’s a Koala Nursery, Koala Island, and a walkthrough with tall eucalyptus trees, allowing you to see them in a more natural environment.

Another huge highlight was the Crocoseum Show, hosted by the Irwin family themselves. Seeing Terri, Bindi, and Robert together on stage was heartwarming. The show was equal parts educational and entertaining, and the energy was electric. Please don’t skip this—it’s one of the best parts of the day.

The zoo offers a lot of live shows, but unfortunately, some of them overlap, making it impossible to see everything in one visit. That was a bit disappointing. We’d love to see a revised schedule in the future to make more of these experiences accessible without overlap.

One major downside was the food. Despite a wide range of options (burgers, wraps, fries, etc.), the overall quality was poor. The burgers tasted dry and old, the fries seemed like they had been sitting for hours, and the wrap was nearly flavorless. For such a high-profile attraction, the food could definitely use an upgrade—fresher ingredients, healthier options, and more variety would be very welcome.

That said, the souvenir shops were delightful! There’s something for everyone—from plush toys and koala-themed jewelry to books, hats, candles, keychains, sweets, and more. The staff in every shop and throughout the zoo were kind, helpful, and enthusiastic, which really enhanced the experience.

The Steve Irwin tribute exhibition was moving and deeply inspiring. It features many personal items, videos, and stories that help you understand the heart and mission behind the zoo.

We also appreciated the abundance of clean restrooms, which were well distributed across the park—essential when spending a whole day exploring.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t see everything in one day—Africa and Wetlands are still on our list for next time. But that just gives us a great...

Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo is located at 1638 Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah QLD 4519.

This magnificent conservation Zoo is open to the public 7 days a week & to save waiting in the queues, it is advisable to purchase your tickets in advance 😀

Steve & Terri Irwin's vision was to make the Australia Zoo the biggest & best wildlife conservation in the world & by my reckoning, they have definitely done that by a country mile.

Australia Zoo is located on 700 acres with 110 acres open to the general public.

I had the pleasure to visit along with a group of people from Kedron Wavell RSL Sub Branch on the 4th of September 2024, the majority visiting this place for the first time.

I was most impressed by the staff in Australia. Zoo, in the way, they made everyone feel so welcome.

Australia Zoo is very well organised with plenty of signage to help you find further information & where to enjoy your wildlife conservation experience 😀

I found that walking around this place to be very relaxing & comfortable, having a good pair of walking shoes is advisable.

You can take your own food 😋 into Australia Zoo, or you can relax & enjoy an excellent menu selection at the Crikey Cafe.

There are other places throughout the zoo where you can purchase food & drinks.

Australia Zoo ensures that all the animals, whether it be Tigers 🐅, elephants 🐘, giraffes 🦒, leopards 🐆, crocodiles 🐊, or Aligattors & many other animals, have a natural environment, nothing is left to chance.

There is an excellent Australia Zoo wildlife hospital located near the main entrance, which ensures that all animals are treated if injured or require surgery.

There are plenty of options, including visiting & purchasing clothing similar to what the hundreds of staff wear at Australia Zoo.

The gift shop also offers many other excellent gifts for all ages.

The highlights during your time at Australia Zoo are to attend one of the live wildlife activities that the staff go to great lengths to ensure everything is an enjoyable exercise 😀

The Crocoseum is definitely a great viewing place where you can see the public showing how crocodiles live & behave in the wild.

The clear water showing where you can clearly see the crocodiles provides excellent viewing & and the trained staff provide running commentary during the show 👌

I can highly recommend a day out at Australia Zoo, which is only about an hours drive from Brisbane. We spent around 5 hours at this wildlife conservation Zoo, but we could have enjoyed more time, so there will be another day planned in the future 😊

Steve Irwin & now his family have definitely left their mark on ensuring that wildlife conservation is...