Australia Zoo

The Basics

An Australia Zoo entry ticket includes access to the zoo’s many attractions and daily events such as zookeeper talks and animal-feeding demonstrations; additional extras include animal encounters and visits to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. For those without a car, Croc Express day tours from Brisbane or the Gold Coast offer round-trip coach transport, including hotel pickup and drop-off. You can also combine a day trip from Brisbane with a rainforest walk in the Sunshine Coast hinterlands. One- and two-day zoo passes are also available.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Lines can be long, especially in peak season, so it’s best to buy tickets in advance.

• On-site facilities include paid storage lockers, water fountains, ATMs, picnic areas, and a selection of restaurants, cafés, and gift shops.

• Most of the zoo’s exhibitions are outdoors and you will likely do a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes and clothing, and bring sunscreen, a hat, and a refillable water bottle.

• The Australia Zoo is fully wheelchair accessible; wheelchair rentals are also available.

How to Get There

The Australia Zoo is located in Beerwah, Queensland, 37 miles (60 kilometers) north of Brisbane—about an hour drive along the Bruce Highway. On-site parking is free. The QR Citytrain runs to Beerwah from the Gold Coast and Brisbane; from there, free shuttle buses will take you to the zoo. Greyhound Australia buses run from Noosa and Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast.

When to Get There

The Australia Zoo is open daily year-round, but the busiest time is in summer (December and January) or during school holidays. To avoid the crowds, opt for a weekday visit off-season. If traveling by car, arrive early and head straight to the most popular exhibitions before the crowds roll in.

Animal Experiences at the Australia Zoo

In addition to Aussie animals such as kangaroos, koalas, dingoes, Tasmanian devils, and platypus, the Australia Zoo features fauna from other regions: rhinos, giraffes, and cheetahs in an African savanna exhibition; Sumatran tigers at the tiger temple (which also includes an incredible underwater observatory); and elephants in the colossal Elephantasia exhibition. There’s also a Wildlife Warriors show held daily at the Crocoseum, a birds of prey display, and various options for supervised animal encounters and zoo tours.

How many days does it take to see the Australia Zoo?

Visitors usually need up to two days to thoroughly visit the Australia Zoo. There are animal habits to see and experiences to try, such as conservation shows and animal encounters supervised by park handlers, the timing of which often overlap.

Is Australia Zoo worth it?

Yes, Australia Zoo is worth visiting if you want to see a wide range of endangered animals worldwide. It can also provide an excellent opportunity to see animals native to Australia, such as crocodiles, echidnas, and koalas, that you might not easily encounter in the wild.

What day is best to go to Australia Zoo?

Supervised animal encounters and conservation shows occur daily, so it doesn't matter which day you go to the Australia Zoo. However, weekdays are a better time to go for a quieter experience since locals tend to go on the weekend.

What time is the crocodile show at the Australia Zoo?

Visitors can see the crocodile show at Australia Zoo during the Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Show in the Crocoseum daily at 1:15pm. This is the only conservation show featuring crocodiles at the zoo.

Can you see the Irwins at Australia Zoo?

Yes, as the Irwin family lives at the zoo, it is possible to see the Irwins at Australia Zoo. You are likelier to see them during the school break and on special events days at the Crocoseum.

Can I take my own food to Australia Zoo?

Yes, visitors to Australia Zoo are allowed to bring their own food with them to the zoo. Visitors can also take drinks in with them, so long as they don't bring alcohol, glass bottles, or plastic straws.