Australia Zoo – often lovingly nicknamed Steve Irwin Zoo – is tucked away amidst the lush landscapes of the Sunshine Coast. It’s an unmissable addition to any Queensland bucket list.
We’re not usually big advocates of zoos, but Australia Zoo is the exception. The Irwin family have created a hub of wildlife conservation and adventure, offering thrilling encounters with exotic creatures and educational exhibits to boot.
The spirit of the legendary Steve Irwin lives on here through the Crocoseum Show and the echoes of Crikey! wherever you turn. Here’s what you need to know before you visit.
Explore this Guide
How to Get Tickets to Australia Zoo
You can purchase Australia Zoo tickets on the door, though we recommend booking in advance to avoid being turned away in busy periods. Tickets start at $69.95 AUD for adults, though it’s only $2 more to visit the animal hospital, too – a must, in our opinion.
How to Get to Australia Zoo
Australia Zoo is well-connected to the nearby city hubs. We stayed in Sunshine Coast and hopped on bus 615 from Maroochydore Station, which took around 55 minutes. We got on one of the first buses and arrived pretty early, so had to wait 30 minutes before the zoo opened (not ideal, but the next one doesn’t get you there until after 9am.)
If you’re staying in Brisbane, you can catch a train from Brisbane Central to Beerwah. From there, the zoo offers a free transfer. The entire journey takes about 1 hour and 30 mins.
Alternatively, if you would prefer to rent a car, there’s lots of free parking at Steve Irwin Zoo. You can find the best car rental rates here.
The Best Things to Do at Australia Zoo
Crocoseum Show with The Irwins
Without a doubt, the standout attraction at Australia Zoo is the Crocoseum Show. The entire Irwin family present the show (unfortunately Robert was sick when we visited) and fulfil the Crocodile Hunter’s lifelong dream of introducing the world to crocs.
The show itself is very sweet, starting with a montage of Steve Irwin – and a Crikey-off – and followed by an immersive experience with Terri, Robert, Bindi, and Chandler. Guests can enjoy a perfect view of crocodiles slithering along in clearwater ponds before the family bring them into the arena for a final spectacular. Trust us when we say you do not want to miss this.
Up Close with Kangaroos
The immersive kangaroo walkthrough area was another big hit with us – we couldn’t resist popping back here multiple times throughout the day. The kangaroos and wallabies are quite shy, but they are used to people wandering around them.
You can purchase some Roo food if you would like to feed them, but it’s also fairly easy to get up-close-and-personal with them for a photo without buying food.
Read Next: A Guide to The Greatest National Parks in Australia
Bindi’s Island
We loved Bindi’s Island, a previously shipwrecked corner of the zoo where some of Australia’s most iconic species roam free. Alongside lemurs, this area is home to tortoises, macaws, and snakes, plus a huge treehouse with expansive views of the entire zoo.
We’ll be honest: the ring-tailed lemurs are the main draw of this area – keep your eyes peeled for the extra-sweet animal who lost half his tail to frostbite before being rescued. The keepers are all-too-happy to share the story of each individual animal, so make sure you chat to them.
Wombats
We might be biased but our favourite part of the entire zoo was seeing the wombats.
There are huge wombat fields in one corner of the zoo, but we arrived early enough to see one of them out for a walk with one of the keepers. They are native to Australia so we had never seen one IRL before and spent ages trying to get close enough to one for a photo.
The Crocodile Hunter Museum
It might be tempting, but don’t skip out on the Crocodile Hunter Museum, which delves into the lives of Steve Irwin and the family. We spent ages learning about Steve’s life and the family’s personal and professional achievements.
We also spent a plenty of time admiring the Robert Irwin Photo Gallery – this really illustrated how passionate about animals the entire family are.
Read Next: 7 Best Theme Parks in Australia: From Thrills to Water Slides
Animal Encounters at Steve Irwin Zoo
Another thing that makes this zoo one of a kind is the amount of close up encounters you can have with animals. They can be quite pricey but we think it’s worth it to have a unique encounter with your favourite animal.
There are experiences with lemurs, wombats, Komodo dragons, and plenty of other creatures. We love that the Irwin family and zoo team make sure that the animals are safe and happy while meeting humans. Check out the range of animal encounters available at Australia Zoo.
Eating and Drinking at Australia Zoo
There are plenty of vending machines around the park to grab snacks, but the Crikey Cafe is where to head if you’re after something more substantial. The cafe serves a wide range of hot and cold food, including burgers, pizzas, hot dogs, and salads.
We opted for coffee and a pastry in the morning and then a meat pie for an afternoon snack. The food was really tasty but make sure you go outside of lunchtime hours to avoid waiting in huge queues.
Read Next: 13 Epic Things to do in Cairns: Adventure Tours and Activities
Shops and Merchandise at Australia Zoo
We’ll be honest, the merchandise at Australia Zoo was incredible. There are multiple shops around the zoo and we guarantee you’ll want to get something. Make sure to bring extra money.
We were on a tight budget so we had to resist (it was hard, especially when we spotted a huge shelf of adorable wombat teddies) but we can’t promise we’ll have so much restraint next time.
Where to Stay Near Australia Zoo
As we mentioned already, we stayed on the Sunshine Coast and took the bus directly to Australia Zoo. However, most people will choose to stay in Brisbane. We did this later on in our trip and loved the YHA Hostel.
If you’re after a special experience, you can opt to stay in Australia Zoo at the Crocodile Lodge. This isn’t a cheap option but it’s pretty magical; it includes free breakfast, use of a private infinity pool, and a welcome gift on arrival.
Steve Irwin Zoo: What to Know Before You Visit
Here are a few more things you need to consider before heading to the zoo…
- The park opens at 9am and closes at 5pm, make sure you grab a map at the entrance to help you navigate and get the most out of your day.
- Some important things to bring with you are: camera, water, snacks, bag, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, and a poncho depending on weather.
- There is a shuttle service that transports guests from the entrance to the Africa section, but make sure you wear comfy shoes and are prepared to walk.
- Make sure you get to the shows early as they fill up around 30 minutes in advance (this doesn’t include the Crocoseum outside of school holidays as it has ample seating.)
