Australia Zoo: Best Airports For A Quick Trip

where to fly into for australia zoo

Australia Zoo, the former playground of the late crocodile hunter Steve Irwin, is located in Beerwah, Queensland, Australia. The zoo is about 50 miles (80 kilometres) north of Brisbane and welcomes visitors from all over the world. Visitors can fly into Sunshine Coast Airport (Maroochydore) or Brisbane Domestic and International Airports, both of which are within easy driving distance of the zoo. Additionally, the Queensland Rail (QR) Citytrain offers a convenient travel option, with a courtesy coach provided by Australia Zoo for passengers arriving at Beerwah Rail Station.

Characteristics Values
Nearest airport Sunshine Coast Airport (Maroochydore)
Distance from nearest airport 30 minutes drive
Airports with direct flights Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Cairns, Canberra, Auckland (NZ)
Nearest international airport Brisbane International Airport
Distance from nearest international airport 1 hour drive
Nearest train station Beerwah Rail Station
Distance from nearest train station 7-day courtesy coach service
Nearest city Brisbane
Distance from nearest city 1 hour drive

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Sunshine Coast Airport: 30 minutes away by car

The closest airport to Australia Zoo is the Sunshine Coast Airport, also known as the Maroochydore Airport. It is located just 30 minutes away from the zoo by car. This airport welcomes direct flights from major Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Cairns, and Canberra all year round. You can also catch a flight from Auckland, New Zealand, during the peak season.

If you're travelling by air, the Sunshine Coast Airport is definitely the most convenient option. Once you arrive, you can easily rent a car and drive to the zoo, enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way. The drive will take you through some picturesque landscapes, and you'll be able to soak in the beauty of the Sunshine Coast region.

Alternatively, if you're already in the region, you can opt for a tour operator like Joel's Journeys, which offers award-winning, authentic experiences in and around Noosa and the Sunshine Coast. They provide private transfers and include zoo entry in their packages.

The zoo is also easily accessible by other means. If you're coming from Brisbane, you can take the Queensland Rail (QR) Citytrain, which operates a seven-day service. The train will drop you off at Beerwah Station, from where you can take advantage of the Australia Zoo courtesy coach service, which meets most trains. This coach will conveniently bring you to the zoo's entrance, and you can also call the zoo to arrange a pickup if needed.

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Brisbane Airports: one hour away by car

Brisbane Airport is located about an hour's drive from Australia Zoo. There are several transport options available to get to and from the airport.

If you're hiring a car, SIXT Car Rental Australia offers a diverse selection of vehicles, including compact cars, sedans, luxury vehicles, and electric vehicles. You can easily book a long-term rental by entering your trip dates and pick-up/drop-off locations. Car hire from Brisbane Airport is a popular choice for those heading to the Sunshine Coast, just an hour north, or the Gold Coast, an hour south.

If you prefer not to drive, you can book a rideshare service such as Uber, Didi, Ola, or Sheba. These services are available at both the Domestic and International Terminals, with designated pick-up areas clearly signposted. You can use your preferred app to order a ride and estimate the cost of your trip.

Alternatively, you can take the Airtrain, which offers a quick and easy 20-minute connection between the airport and Brisbane City. The Airtrain also provides links to the Gold Coast and the Queensland Rail suburban network. To use this service, you can book your ticket online, or purchase one at the airport using a go card or contactless payment method.

For those arriving by bicycle, Brisbane Airport provides bicycle racks and shower facilities at both the International and Domestic Terminals. Taxi, shuttle bus, council bus, and train services are also available.

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Beerwah: accessible by train

Beerwah is accessible by train from Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Queensland Rail (QR) Citytrain offers a seven-day service between these locations and Beerwah. The Beerwah Rail Station is located just a 2-minute walk from the Beerwah train station.

Passengers arriving at Beerwah Rail Station can be picked up by Australia Zoo's courtesy coach, which meets most trains. If the bus is not at the station, you can call the zoo, and they will send one out during opening hours. The zoo is also a 30-minute drive from the Sunshine Coast Airport (Maroochydore), which offers direct flights from several Australian cities and seasonal flights from Auckland, New Zealand.

For those travelling by train to Beerwah, the Moovit app can be useful for navigating public transport in Brisbane and Beerwah. It provides live directions, notifications for when to get off, and information on how long to wait for your line and the number of stops remaining. It also includes public transport fees and ticket prices.

Additionally, there are various tour operators offering transfers to Australia Zoo, including Joel's Journeys, an award-winning Noosa-based operator providing transfers from the Gold Coast and Brisbane. These tours typically depart in the morning and return in the afternoon, allowing for a full day of exploration at the zoo.

Overall, Beerwah is easily accessible by train, with convenient connections to the zoo, making it a straightforward option for visitors.

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Gold Coast: accessible by train

The Gold Coast is accessible by train via the Queensland Rail (QR) Citytrain, which operates a seven-day service between the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Beerwah. Passengers travelling to Beerwah can be picked up by Australia Zoo's courtesy coach service, which meets most trains at Beerwah Rail Station. If the courtesy coach is not at the station, you can call the zoo on 5436 2000, and a bus will be sent during opening hours.

The train journey from the Gold Coast to Beerwah takes approximately two hours. Once you arrive at Beerwah Rail Station, the Australia Zoo courtesy coach will take you the rest of the way to the zoo. The coach journey is approximately 20 minutes, so you can expect to arrive at the zoo around two and a half hours after departing from the Gold Coast by train.

In addition to the train service, there are several private companies that offer package deals that include entrance tickets to the zoo and bus transfers from the Gold Coast. One such option is the Croc Express, which departs the Gold Coast at 7:00 am and arrives at Australia Zoo around 10:00 am. The return journey departs the zoo at 4:00 pm, arriving back on the Gold Coast around 7:00 pm. This option provides a comfortable and convenient way to get to the zoo without the need to rent a car.

It is worth noting that travelling to Australia Zoo from the Gold Coast by public transport can be time-consuming, with one source estimating a four-hour journey each way. As such, some visitors choose to drive to the zoo or base themselves in Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast, which is only a 30-minute drive from the zoo.

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Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Cairns, Canberra: direct flights to Sunshine Coast Airport

Sunshine Coast Airport, also known as Maroochydore Airport, is a 30-minute drive from Australia Zoo. The airport offers direct flights from several Australian cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Cairns, and Canberra.

Sydney to Sunshine Coast

There are direct flights from Sydney to Sunshine Coast Airport on a daily basis. Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar all offer direct flights, with Qantas providing the most nonstop flights each week. The cheapest days to fly are usually in May, with typical prices ranging from $85 to $145 for a round trip.

Melbourne to Sunshine Coast

Melbourne also has daily direct flights to Sunshine Coast Airport. Jetstar, Virgin Australia, and Qantas all operate direct flights, with Virgin Australia offering the most nonstop flights per week. The cheapest days to fly are usually in February, with typical prices ranging from $110 to $165 for a round trip.

Adelaide to Sunshine Coast

There is one direct flight between Adelaide and Sunshine Coast Airport every week, operated by Jetstar. The flight typically takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Cairns to Sunshine Coast

Jetstar operates direct flights from Cairns to Sunshine Coast Airport three times a week (Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays). From April 2025, Jetstar will add an additional flight on Saturdays, increasing the frequency to four times a week.

Canberra to Sunshine Coast

Virgin Australia offers direct flights from Canberra to Sunshine Coast Airport. The fares for these flights start at AUD $245 one way.

Frequently asked questions

The closest airport to Australia Zoo is the Sunshine Coast Airport (Maroochydore), which is a 30-minute drive from the zoo. Brisbane Domestic and International Airports are also a convenient one-hour drive away.

You can get to Australia Zoo from the Brisbane Airports by car, train, or bus. The zoo is about 50 miles (80 kilometres) north of Brisbane.

Yes, Joel's Journeys is a Noosa-based tour operator that offers transfers to Australia Zoo from the Gold Coast and Brisbane City.

The zoo is open daily except for major public holidays, and some of the animals go to bed at 4:30 pm. Plan to spend a full day at the zoo to make the most of your visit.

Australia Zoo offers wildlife encounters, animal talks, and feeding demonstrations. You can also take a tour of the on-site animal hospital, shop at the gift stores, and dine at the various restaurants and cafes.

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