Last updated on April 13th, 2024 at 10:20 pm
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This blog post will provide the ultimate Australia Zoo travel guide, so you can plan the perfect trip!
When you think of Australia, you might think of one of its best known celebrities- Steve Irwin. Maybe you used to watch his show! I did, and was always inspired by his love for animals and his conservation efforts. The zoo/wildlife hospital that he owned is still operational today, and is still run by his wife Terri, and their children Robert and Bindi!
The zoo is called Australia Zoo, and I knew immediately when I read about it that I had to visit. My visit was definitely one of the highlights of my trip to Australia, so I wanted to put together this Australia Zoo travel guide to help any other Steve Irwin/wildlife fans who want to experience the legacy of the legendary Crocodile Hunter.
How do you get to Australia Zoo?
Let’s start with the basics. Australia Zoo is located in Beerwah, Queensland, which is slightly north of Brisbane. I’ll be honest, it’s kind of in the middle of nowhere. I chose to stay in Brisbane, and I would recommend doing the same. There are far more accommodation options in Brisbane, and way more to do in the area. If you are renting a car, you can drive from Brisbane to Australia Zoo in about an hour.
If you don’t have a car, Australia Zoo can be reached from Brisbane by train in about an hour and a half. Take the Caboolture Line from the Brisbane CBD to Beerwah Station. This costs about $16 each way for an adult. Once you get to Beerwah Station, there is an Australia Zoo shuttle that will take you from the station to the zoo. The shuttle is timed to meet most arriving trains, but if you don’t see it, you can call the zoo, and they will send one to pick you up.
Alternatively, take the Croc Express. This is a coach service that will pick you up from most hotels in the Brisbane and Gold Coast, and take you to the zoo. This is a little more expensive, it costs $105 round trip for an adult, but this includes admission to the zoo! You will have about six hours at the zoo before the coach departs back to Brisbane. If you want to use this option, I would recommend booking in advance. It was all booked up the day I wanted to go, and I had to take the train! If the Croc Express is full, there is a similar day tour offered by Croc Tours.
How much does it cost to enter Australia Zoo?
Admission is $62 for adults, and $42 for children. Pricey, but definitely worth it! There are also animal encounters available for an extra charge. These involve holding or interacting with animals in a small group setting, while zoo staff educate you about the animal, and its conservation efforts. I paid $51 for a cuddly koala encounter. There are encounters available for many other animals as well, for varying costs. If you are an animal enthusiast, I would recommend splurging for this add-on! Animal encounters can be booked on the Australia Zoo website, and should be booked in advance.
How should I plan my day at Australia Zoo?
Australia Zoo is huge. You can easily spend the whole day there. On the way in, you will get a map of the grounds (or download it online before you get there). Hold on to it! The zoo has four different “lands,” each with animals from different areas of the world. In addition to seeing all of the exhibits, and doing any animal encounters you have booked, you also need to plan which shows you want to see. There are various conservation shows throughout the day, including the most iconic one, Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Show, which showcases saltwater crocodiles in the Crocoseum. This is a must see if you visit the zoo! Make sure you check show times before you visit, so you can plan accordingly.
Most importantly… Can I see the Irwins at Australia Zoo?!
Yes! The Irwins still work at, and even live at, the zoo! While there’s no guarantee you will spot them, it is not unlikely that you will see them around. If you are eager to see them, I would recommend visiting the zoo on a school holiday or special event day. It might be busier, but the Irwins often do the Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Show on holidays! I visited the zoo on Easter weekend, and I got to watch Robert and Terri feed a crocodile in the Crocoseum during this show. Such an amazing experience!
Hopefully this Australia Zoo travel guide will help you plan your trip. If you’re headed to Australia soon, I highly recommend you check it out!
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