Australia Zoo occupies more than 750 acres at Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast, about an hour’s drive north of Brisbane. It is the largest zoo in Australia by area and is known worldwide as the home of Steve Irwin — the Crocodile Hunter — and his family. Steve died in 2006, but his wife Terri and children Bindi and Robert continue to run the zoo, and the Wildlife Warriors conservation mission he built it around remains at the centre of everything the place does.
None of which is context you need to enjoy a day here, but it helps explain why Australia Zoo feels different from a conventional zoo. The place has an energy and a genuine conviction about what it is doing that is unusual. The staff are enthusiastic in a way that does not feel scripted. The exhibits are large and well-maintained. And there is enough to fill a full day without any sense of having been shortchanged.
We enjoyed our time here. From Koalas sleeping together in tree branches, lizards crossing the path in front of passing visitors, to zoo keepers approaching rather large crocs in their pens and then bolting and climbing the fence before the croc reached it – it was all good entertainment with a mix of education. We spent the whole day here. Terri Irwin and her daughter led the talk in the crocoseum later in the afternoon emphasising the conservation side of their work.
A Little Background
The zoo began as a small reptile park opened by Steve’s parents Bob and Lyn Irwin in 1970. Steve took it over in 1992 and spent the following years expanding the property and the collection, using the global profile of his television work to fund conservation programs that eventually operated across twelve countries. The zoo now covers all seven continents in terms of animal collection — over 1,200 animals representing hundreds of species — and the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Cape York, established by the Irwin family, protects an additional 330,000 acres of Queensland wilderness.
What to See and Do
The Crocoseum is the centrepiece experience — a 5,000-seat open-air arena where the Wildlife Warriors Show runs daily. The show combines the zoo’s largest saltwater crocodiles, birds of prey, and wildlife handlers in a format that manages to be genuinely spectacular while making a serious point about wildlife conservation. It is well worth timing your visit around it.
The African Savannah covers a substantial section of the zoo and houses cheetahs, African wild dogs, rhinoceroses, and the zoo’s elephant herd — a group of Asian elephants that are the subject of a dedicated conservation program. The Elephants LIVE! daily show at noon gives access you wouldn’t get elsewhere.
Crocodile habitat and walk-through areas allow close-up viewing of both saltwater and freshwater crocodiles, along with Galapagos tortoises, Aldabra giant tortoises, and the zoo’s collection of venomous snakes. The keeper talks throughout the day provide context that turns a viewing experience into something more informative.
Koala encounters, kangaroo feeding, and wombat encounters are among the Australian native animal experiences — the zoo is good for children partly because of the accessibility of these interactions. You can hand-feed kangaroos in a walk-through area throughout the day.
The African Reptile House and Madagascar exhibit add depth to a collection that ranges across every continent. The zoo’s tigers — Sumatran and Bengal — are housed in a large naturalistic enclosure and have their own daily show.
The Laughing Frog Waterpark and jumping pillow are included in the general admission — relevant if you’re visiting with younger children and want options beyond the animal exhibits.
The daily show schedule is well-organised and it is worth downloading the app or picking up the printed program on arrival to plan your route around it. The Crocoseum show, the elephant talk, the tiger show, and the birds of prey show are all worth seeing; trying to fit all four requires some planning but is achievable.
Getting There
Australia Zoo is at 1638 Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah, on the Sunshine Coast. By car from Brisbane, take the Bruce Highway north to the Beerwah exit — approximately 1 hour. From the Sunshine Coast beaches (Noosa, Maroochydore), allow 45–60 minutes depending on your starting point. Parking is free.
By public transport: take the Sunshine Coast line train from Brisbane to Beerwah station, from which a shuttle bus connects to the zoo. Check current shuttle timetables before travelling — service frequency varies by season.
Cost and Hours
The zoo is open daily 9am–5pm, closing on Christmas Day. General admission in 2026: adults A$71.95, children (3–14) A$46.95, concession A$61.95, children under 3 free. A family pass (two adults, two children) costs approximately A$217.95.
Upgrade experiences — including behind-the-scenes animal encounters — are available at additional cost and are worth booking ahead, particularly during school holidays. The zoo regularly offers online discounts; checking the official website before paying full gate price is advisable.
A full day is required. The zoo is large, the walk distances between exhibits are meaningful, and the show schedule rewards staying from opening until at least mid-afternoon.