Leslie Massey
Australia Zoo, located in Beerwah, spans 110 acres of land and is approximately a 60-minute drive from Brisbane. The zoo offers free parking, with hundreds of car parks available for visitors. Although the exact distance to walk around the zoo is unclear, it is recommended that visitors wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk. The zoo provides a shuttle service that transports guests from the entrance to the Africa section.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance Covered | 110 acres |
| Transport | Shuttle service available |
| Travel Time | 1 hour and 30 minutes from Brisbane |
| Parking | Free |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible |
| Hire Services | Prams, pull-along carts, wheelchairs, mobility scooters |
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What You'll Learn
Transport options to Australia Zoo
There are several transport options for getting to Australia Zoo, situated on Steve Irwin Way in Beerwah. The zoo is approximately a 60-minute drive from Brisbane via the Bruce Highway. The zoo also offers a complimentary shuttle service from Beerwah Train Station, with a courtesy coach meeting most trains. If the bus is not at the station, you can call the zoo and request that a bus be sent during opening hours.
Queensland Rail (QR) Citytrain operates a seven-day service between the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Beerwah. You can also take a train from Brisbane Central Station to Beerwah Station and then take the shuttle bus to the zoo.
If you are travelling from further afield, the Sunshine Coast Airport in Maroochydore is a 30-minute drive from Australia Zoo and welcomes direct flights from most major Australian cities, as well as seasonal flights from Auckland, New Zealand.
There are also several tour companies offering transfers and day tours to the zoo from Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and the Gold Coast. These include Croc Tours, which offers luxury, air-conditioned transfers, and Joel's Journeys, a Noosa-based tour operator that provides transfers from accommodation in Noosa and the Sunshine Coast.
Finally, you can also reach the zoo by rental car or rideshare services such as Uber or Didi, although these options can be expensive.
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The Irwin family's involvement
Australia Zoo, situated on Steve Irwin Way in Beerwah, is a 60-minute drive from Brisbane via the Bruce Highway. The zoo offers a courtesy coach service from the Beerwah Rail Station. The zoo is also accessible via a day tour from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
The Irwin family has a long history with Australia Zoo. Steve Irwin's parents moved the family to Beerwah, Queensland, and opened the Beerwah Reptile Park in 1970. In 1991, Steve took over the management of the small wildlife park, which had expanded to four acres and had been rebranded as the 'Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park'. Soon after, he met Terri Raines, from Eugene, Oregon, when she visited the park.
Steve and Terri changed the name of the growing wildlife park to 'Australia Zoo' in the 1990s. They had two children, Bindi and Robert, and agreed to put all money raised from filming and merchandise back into conservation. They established the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, which was dedicated to Steve's mother after her tragic passing in 2000.
Steve Irwin passed away in 2006, and his father, Bob Irwin, resigned from the zoo in 2008. Terri became a naturalised Australian citizen in 2009, and she and her two children continue to operate Australia Zoo, ensuring that Steve's legacy lives on. Bindi and Robert are both passionate wildlife conservationists, with Robert working at the zoo. The Irwin family lives at the zoo and can often be seen feeding the crocs and interacting with guests.
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The Crocoseum Show
Australia Zoo, located in Queensland on the Sunshine Coast, is a 700-acre zoo that is home to a wide variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles. The zoo offers a range of experiences and exhibits, including the world-famous Crocoseum, where visitors can witness the incredible Crocodile Environmental Park.
The Crocoseum was dreamt up by Steve Irwin, who envisioned an intricate system of channels and gates connected to private habitats. This design ensures the safety of the rescued crocodiles, allowing them to be brought out individually for the shows. The Crocodile Environmental Park, which houses the Crocoseum, was opened in 1987 to aid in the protection of saltwater crocodiles. This area became very popular due to its unique display of crocodile feedings.
Australia Zoo is easily accessible by major highways, and is approximately a 60-minute drive from Brisbane via the Bruce Highway. The zoo also offers a courtesy coach service from the Beerwah Rail Station, and day tours are available from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. With its wide range of attractions and convenient accessibility, Australia Zoo promises a memorable and exciting experience for visitors of all ages.
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The zoo's facilities
Australia Zoo is a 700-acre zoo in Queensland, Australia, with plenty of facilities for visitors to enjoy. The zoo is easily accessible by road, rail, and air, and offers a courtesy coach service from Beerwah Rail Station. The zoo provides free parking for hundreds of cars, and there are plenty of shaded rest stops throughout the zoo. The zoo is also fully wheelchair accessible, with lifts, ramps, and wheelchair viewing of the Crocoseum. Wheelchair and pram hire are also available.
The zoo has four gift shops, featuring official merchandise, Australian-made souvenirs, and clothing lines. There is also an information desk, where visitors can learn about the zoo, the local area, and other Queensland attractions. The zoo has several dining venues, catering to a wide variety of tastes and offering an extensive menu of fresh, hot, and cold food and drinks.
The zoo is home to over 1,200 animals, including those in the African Savannah, South-East Asia exhibit, and Bindi's Island. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of wildlife shows, including crocodile feedings, and hands-on animal encounters. The zoo also offers a sneak peek of the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, which is the largest wildlife hospital in the world, with two operating theatres, treatment rooms, intensive care units, and public areas.
Australia Zoo is committed to conservation and has purchased large areas of land to protect endangered species and rehabilitate native marsupials. The zoo also won the Australian Tourism Awards for 2003–2004 and the RACQ People's Choice Award in 2019.
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The animals you can see
Australia Zoo, located in Queensland's Sunshine Coast, is home to over 1,200 animals. The zoo is spread across 110 acres of land, offering plenty of space for visitors to explore and interact with a diverse range of wildlife.
The African Savannah exhibit showcases a variety of animals native to the African continent. Here, you can expect to see majestic giraffes, towering over the vast landscape. This section of the zoo provides an opportunity to learn about conservation efforts aimed at protecting species such as cheetahs in their natural African habitat.
In the South-East Asia exhibit, you will be immersed in the diverse wildlife of this vibrant region. The zoo's commitment to conservation extends to this region as well, with efforts focused on protecting species like the Sumatran tiger.
Bindi's Island, named after Bindi Irwin, daughter of Steve and Terri Irwin, offers a unique experience. The island is home to a variety of animals, and visitors can enjoy meeting them up close and personal or observing them in environments replicating their natural habitats.
The original part of the zoo features Australian favourites, including kangaroos, koalas, and saltwater crocodiles. The world-famous Crocoseum is a highlight, where you might catch the Irwin family feeding the crocodiles during special events and school holidays. You can even purchase kangaroo food at selected gift shops or the Information Desk and feed these adorable marsupials yourself!
In addition to these exhibits, the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital provides a behind-the-scenes look at their veterinary team in action, treating injured and orphaned wildlife. For just $2, you can support their efforts and witness the dedication of the hospital staff.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia Zoo spans 110 acres of land, so be prepared to walk long distances. There is a shuttle service that transports guests from the entrance to the Africa section, but most of the area requires walking.
Yes, the zoo recommends wearing comfortable shoes and bringing water, snacks, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Yes, there are a few options for getting around the zoo without walking. You can rent a mobility scooter or wheelchair, but these are limited and must be booked in advance. There is also a shuttle service that transports guests from the entrance to the Africa section.
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