Australia Zoo Verified listing

Australia Zoo is a famous wildlife park located in Beerwah, Queensland, about an hour north of Brisbane. It was originally established in 1970 by Bob and Lyn Irwin as the Beerwah Reptile and Fauna Park before being renamed Australia Zoo. The zoo gained worldwide fame thanks to their son, Steve Irwin, known as "The Crocodile Hunter." Today, the zoo covers over 700 acres and is run by Steve’s widow Terri Irwin and their children, Bindi and Robert. It attracts around 700,000 visitors each year and is well known for its strong focus on wildlife conservation and education.

The zoo features a wide variety of exhibits and habitats. Highlights include the African Safari, where visitors can see giraffes, zebras, and rhinos roaming in large open plains that mimic their natural environment. Elephantasia is a large Asian-themed area and home to Australia’s biggest elephant enclosure. The Crocoseum, a stadium seating 5,000 people, hosts daily wildlife shows with crocodile feedings and bird demonstrations. The zoo also operates a Wildlife Hospital dedicated to treating and rehabilitating native Australian animals, caring for thousands annually.

Visitors can enjoy interactive experiences like feeding kangaroos and koalas, participating in animal encounters, and visiting attractions such as the Laughing Frog Lolly Shop and Water Park. The zoo is easy to reach by car, with plenty of parking available, and shuttle services run from the nearby Beerwah train station. For a more immersive visit, guests can stay at the Crocodile Cabins, luxury eco-friendly accommodations near the zoo that include wildlife encounters and exclusive benefits. Australia Zoo continues to carry on Steve Irwin’s legacy through its mission of “Conservation Through Exciting Education,” inspiring visitors to appreciate and protect wildlife.