As a little kid, I used to sit down every week with my brother to watch Steve Irwin’s adventures on Dutch television. I’ll never forget those scenes of Steve face to face with a massive saltwater croc, talking about these animals with so much passion you couldn’t help but get hooked. Australia Zoo had been on my list for years. I was curious to see how the Irwin family had carried Steve’s legacy and philosophy into the zoo of today. In this blog I’ll take you along to one of the most beautiful zoos in the world and show you everything Australia Zoo has to offer.
About Australia Zoo
Australia Zoo started out in 1970 as a modest reptile park in Beerwah, Queensland, founded by Bob and Lyn Irwin. What began as a small park with mostly snakes and crocodiles grew into one of the most famous zoos in the world, thanks to their son Steve Irwin. With his infectious energy and genuine love for animals, he put Australia Zoo on the map internationally, largely thanks to his TV show The Crocodile Hunter.
After Steve Irwin passed away in 2006, his wife Terri and their children Bindi and Robert carried his work forward. The zoo kept growing, expanding to 110 hectares, building its own wildlife hospital (one of the largest in the world) and the iconic Crocoseum, where up to 5,000 visitors can watch the daily crocodile show. Today the zoo is home to more than 1,200 animals and draws around 700,000 visitors a year. Conservation and education are still front and centre, exactly the way Steve intended.
Practical Information
Location: Australia Zoo is located at 1638 Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah, about 70 km north of Brisbane, not far from the Glass House Mountains.
Opening hours: Open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, 364 days a year (closed only on Christmas Day).
Admission prices (2026, approximate):
- Adult: approx. $71.95-$74.95
- Child (3-14 years): approx. $46.95-$49.95
- Concession/student (15-17 years or valid card): approx. $61.95-$64.95
- Children under 3: free
- Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children): around $225
Prices are subject to change, so always double-check them on the official website before you go.
How to get there? By car it’s about an hour’s drive from Brisbane via the Bruce Highway. Organised tours and shuttle buses are also available from the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane for anyone who’d rather not drive themselves.
Tip: Set aside at least half a day because the park is large. The Crocoseum show is recommended, and you can book a Wildlife Hospital tour to see more of the Irwins’ work.
Entree of Australia Zoo
What I love about the drive to Australia Zoo is that you spend a good stretch on Steve Irwin Way before you even reach the zoo itself. Right at the start of that road stands a big monument of Steve with a crocodile, which previews what is ahead. The entrance itself is beautifully laid out too: right at the front you’ll see personal photos of the Irwin family, with lovely pathways guiding you toward the entrance.
Different themed zones
The zoo is laid out on a really generous scale. At times you actually forget you’re in a zoo at all. With all the trees, plants and tropical character, it feels like a national park. The zoo is divided into different themed areas such as Africa, Southeast Asia and the Wetlands. Throughout the park you’ll spot plenty of references to the family itself. There’s Robert’s Reptile House, named after son Robert Irwin, and you can spot lemurs and Seychelles giant tortoises at Bindi’s Island, named after daughter Bindi Irwin.
Animals you can spot
What makes Australia Zoo so special is the incredible variety of animals you come across as you wander through the park. You will see wallabies, dingoes, and the iconic koalas. There is even a genuine koala island and a walk-through habitat where you can admire these creatures up close.
Further along you’ll come face to face with saltwater and freshwater crocodiles, and if you’re lucky you might catch the Tasmanian devils just waking up from their afternoon nap. Reptile fans will be in their element at Robert’s Reptile House, with pythons, anacondas and monitor lizards.
For anyone who’s into more exotic animals, there’s plenty on offer too: giraffes and rhinos in the Africa section, cheetahs that are very fast, and the ever-popular red pandas and lemurs.
Crocoseum
One of the highlights for us was the Crocoseum. This large outdoor stadium, seating around 5,000 visitors, is where the daily shows take place and where Steve Irwin’s story is told. The show we saw kicked off at 1:15 pm and was hosted by several animal lovers who brought enthusiasm for these creatures. From jabirus (black-necked storks) and pythons to dingoes and huge freshwater crocodiles, the wildlife show featured a variety of animals. Some of the animals came close; a few brightly coloured parrots swooped past our heads.
During the show they also play archival footage of Steve and his wife Terri, which takes you right back to the 90s. But what struck me most was the enthusiasm and genuine love for wildlife that you feel everywhere in this place. We’ve always been suckers for nature and animals, but after visiting this park, that love got stoked just that little bit more. And honestly, that might be the best thing about this zoo.
The Crocodile Hunter Story
Underneath the Crocoseum there’s a small museum where you can read the story of the Irwin family and see various personal items on display. Think the backpack and boots Steve wore on his expeditions, but also the trophy his son and daughter won on Dancing with the Stars USA. There’s also a section dedicated to some of the most stunning nature and wildlife photos Robert Irwin has taken all over the world.
The Crocodile Hunter Lodge
For us it was only an hour’s drive to Australia Zoo, but if you really want to make your visit complete, you can stay overnight at The Crocodile Hunter Lodge, right next to the zoo. This lodge is the realisation of Steve Irwin’s dream: immersing guests in nature, surrounded by the animals he loved so much. The rustic yet luxurious cabins are scattered throughout the bush, and there’s a real chance you’ll spot a red kangaroo or an emu hopping by in the morning.
More accommodation options near Australia Zoo:
Visiting Australia Zoo
Australia Zoo is an absolute must-see. Not only is this place stunning, it’s also one of the best zoos we’ve ever been to, home to hundreds of incredible animals, from crocodiles and tigers to koalas and cassowaries. But what really makes this zoo special is the team. You can feel the love and care they put into every single animal here the moment you walk in.
But it’s more than just a zoo. Australia Zoo tells the beautiful story of Steve Irwin – his passion, his legacy and everything he stood for. And by the time you leave, you won’t just be heading home with great photos. You’ll be heading home with a deeper love for wildlife and a genuine appreciation for nature.
