Australia Zoo is one of Australia’s top tourist attractions and was made famous by the late Steve Irwin, know affectionately as ‘The Crocodile Hunter’. From its humble beginnings in 1970 as a small reptile park, the zoo has grown to over 100 hectares and features hundreds of species of animals, many wildlife exhibits and fascinating shows. The museum has become well known for its ‘Crocoseum’; the zoo’s 5,000 seat stadium where wildlife shows featuring birds, crocs and other reptiles are presented.
There are many fascinating wildlife enclosures and exhibits featuring not only native Australian animals but varied wildlife from around the world too. Visitors are transported to Africa with the zoo’s latest and greatest African Safari Park. This exotic location hosts giraffe, zebras and rhinoceros, all roaming freely in open plains that resemble an African setting.
Elephantasia is another fascinating exhibit hosting elephants in a unique enclosure that is reminiscent of an Asian garden, with spacious areas for the beautiful animals to roam. Visitors can even hand feed the elephants during the daily feeding sessions. Just next door to the elephants is the beautifully imaginative enclosure for tigers, with ample room for the big cats to jump and play. This exotic enclosure features the only underwater viewing area for tigers in the Southern Hemisphere.
Australia Zoo is located off of the Bruce Highway. Follow the exit signs to Steve Irwin Way/Glass House Mountains exit and continue 3km past Beerwah from the south or 5km past Landsborough from the North. Queensland Rail’s Citytrain service travels daily between the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Beerwah stations with an Australia Zoo courtesy coach available at Beerwah to transfer guests to the zoo.
