Day Trip to the Australia Zoo from Brisbane
The Australia Zoo, located just outside of Brisbane is a world-renowned zoo that offers visitors unique encounters and chances to see some of the most iconic animals found throughout Australia. The Australia Zoo was founded by Steve Irwin, or as we know him, the “Crocodile Hunter.” The main objective of the Australia Zoo is to inform the public about preserving and protecting wildlife, conservation, and rescuing animals in need. The enclosures at this zoo are spacious and the animals are well cared for. If staying in Queensland’s largest city, a day trip to the Australia Zoo from Brisbane is a must!
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Located in the Australian state of Queensland at the Sunshine Coast, the Australia Zoo is one of the world’s most remarkable and well known zoos.
Steve’s parents started a wildlife sanctuary called Beerwah Reptile and Fauna Park which was home to native animals to Australia.
The Beerwah Reptile and Fauna Park expanded over time from 2 acres to 4 acres, eventually becoming what it is today!
Steve and Terri’s vision was to use the money they made from their famous Crocodile Hunter show and use it for conservation to help and save wildlife.
There is a wildlife hospital on the grounds of the zoo, which visitors can go inside.
There are hundreds of species of animals at the Australia Zoo, many being native to Australia.
Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital
Conservation and helping wildlife is the main goal of the Australia Zoo and now the zoo has one of the largest and busiest wildlife hospitals.
Every year thousands of animals are cared for at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. They don’t judge here, anything from snakes to fruit bats are cared for.
There is a 24/7 emergency hospital that provides specialized care.
According to the tour guide at the facility, to date, over 135,000 animals have been treated at the Wildlife Hospital.
There is a dedicated rescue unit at the zoo that travels all around the country each and every day to assist and rescue wildlife.
Today, visitors can access the Wildlife Hospital and peak through the windows to see what animals are being cared for.
The day we went, I saw a lot of birds and bats that were in need of rescue. I even saw an operation in progress on one of the giant fruit bats.
Visiting the Australia Zoo
Visiting the Australia Zoo is an all day event, especially if you are visiting from Brisbane.
We spent 5-6 hours at the zoo and still felt like we needed another hour, that’s how big the Australia Zoo is.
Below you can find additional information from my day trip to the Australia Zoo.
Australia Zoo Ticket Prices and Hours
Tickets
Adults – $ 71.95
Children – $46.95
For prices on Experiences, Annual Passes, and more, I recommend visiting the official Australia Zoo website.
Hours
The Australia Zoo is open every day from 9:00 until 17:00.
Australia Zoo Map and Routes
The Australia Zoo is huge and it does take a bit of planning if you want to see everything and attend some of the live events or shows.
Our Australia Zoo tour guide provided us with a map showing the recommended route to see everything and visit the Crocoseum for the famous crocodile show. We followed the route and given the 5-6 hours we were there, we definitely got the most out of our visit to the Australia Zoo from Brisbane.
From the entrance, start with seeing the American Alligators.
Make your way through the Crocodile Hunter Museum.
Visit the Quokkas and feed the Grey Kangaroos.
Venture through the Brolgas, Jabirus, and Cassowary enclosures.
Head toward the Sumatran Elephants, Red Pandas, and Tigers.
Check out the Lemus and Echidnas on Bindi’s Island.
From Bindi’s Island, walk the path to see the Giraffes, Zebras, Rhinos, and Cheetahs, before hopping on the bus that takes you back to the entrance (Yes! The shuttle bus at the Australia Zoo is free).
From the entrance head over to the Crocoseum to catch the 13:15 show.
Once the show ends at the Crocoseum, make your way through the rest of the zoo.
See the salt water crocodiles, many of them have been rescued by Steve Irwin.
Don’t forget to see the Tasmanian Devils and Dingoes.
The Crocoseum
For the most thrilling and best show at the Australia Zoo, don’t miss out on the Crocoseum. This arena is where visitors can see salt water crocodiles in action among other fun and entertaining animals.
There isn’t a bad seat in the house, unless it’s super hot and sunny out, then find a seat in the shade, sit back, and enjoy the show.
The day we went, the zoo keepers showed off various birds, dingoes, a Komodo Dragon, and Bluey, a 12 foot long 550 lb. salt water crocodile.
Watch as the expert zoo keepers, feed and show off Bluey as he makes his way on the lawn and clear water. What was thrilling to see was the salt water crocodile vertically jump out of the water for a little chicken snack.
Don’t miss out on the Crocoseum!
Day Trip from Brisbane
If you are staying in Brisbane and want to visit the Australia Zoo stress free, I recommend booking an Australia Zoo Day Trip from Brisbane Tour.
I booked this Australia Zoo tour through Viator well in advance and it worked out perfectly!
The driver picked us up near our hotel, drove us to the zoo, stopped at the Wildlife Hospital, and gave us plenty of time to explore the Australia Zoo.
If interested in visiting the Australia Zoo then I highly recommend booking the Australia Zoo Day Trip from Brisbane Tour well in advance.
Perks of booking this tour online:
- Driver Pickup and Drop off near hotel in Brisbane.
- Comfortable and air conditioned bus.
- You can sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride to the Australia Zoo.
- The driver and guide provides great tips and recommendations for visiting the Australia Zoo, to include the best route to make sure you get the most out of your trip.
- The tour stops at the Wildlife Hospital.
- You get about 5 to 6 hours of free time to explore the zoo.
Tribute to Steve Irwin
I grew up watching The Crocodile Hunter and always loved Steve Irwin’s energy as well as his love and passion for animals. He was entertaining, knowledgeable, and an all around great human being.
When the news came out on September 4, 2006 that he unfortunately passed away, I was devastated. How could someone who loved wildlife and did so much good in the world die so suddenly and young, it was a terrible loss.
I’ve seen clips of his zoo on The Crocodile Hunter and have always wanted to visit the Australia Zoo. When I finally got a chance to visit I was thrilled. It was emotional seeing his pictures, life stories, and videos throughout the zoo. But at the same time, it is a constant reminder to all of us showing how incredible Steve Irwin was.
Lastly, I am amazed how his family is carrying on his legacy. His children, Bindi and Robert are amazing and have done so much for the zoo and conservation efforts. Steve would be so proud of them!
Conclusion
If you are like me and grew up watching Steve Irwin and the Crocodile Hunter, then the Australia Zoo is an absolute must! It was amazing to see Steve’s dream come true and see what legacy he left behind here and all the people he affected. The Australia Zoo is a world class zoo that prioritizes wildlife and their well being, conservation, and education. If you are staying in Brisbane, the Australia Zoo is an easy day trip.
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Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️🇦🇺
Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖
For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com
Activities and Tours 🏖️🚁
Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.
In need of a car rental? 🚗🚘
I recommend checking with Rental Cars.
Train Travel 🚂🚊
For the JR Pass, tickets can be purchased on the JR Pass site.
