Australia Zoo, Brisbane - Elephants at Australia Zoo
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Australia Zoo

4.7
·24k reviews·Beerwah, Australia

Home to the Irwin family's incredible wildlife conservation efforts, offering close encounters with diverse animals and thrilling shows.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Early Mornings

Beat the crowds and heat.

CrowdLow
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Australia Zoo, Brisbane - Elephants at Australia Zoo

Australia Zoo

Best Time

Early Mornings

Beat the crowds and heat.

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Home to the Irwin family's incredible wildlife conservation efforts, offering close encounters with diverse animals and thrilling shows.

4.7
(24k reviews)

"A beautiful, meaningful, and unforgettable experience, highly recommended for families and nature lovers."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Arrive at Opening

Be there at opening to head straight to the Africa exhibit and beat the crowds. 🌅

🎒 Pack Your Own Food

Save money and avoid long queues by bringing your own lunch and snacks. :moneybag:

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.7 · 25,115 reviews

Type

Zoo

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Crocoseum Show

Crocoseum Show

Crocoseum

Witness thrilling crocodile feeding and conservation talks, a true Irwin family tradition. :crocodiles:

Reddit
Walk-through Kangaroo Enclosure

Walk-through Kangaroo Enclosure

Kangaroo Haven

Get up close and personal with kangaroos, even hand-feeding them with provided food. 🦘

Instagram
Africa Exhibit

Africa Exhibit

Africa

Experience a realistic walk-through safari with giraffes, zebras, and rhinos. 🦒

Reddit
Koala Encounters

Koala Encounters

Koala House

See and learn about these iconic Australian marsupials in their naturalistic habitat. 🐨

Instagram
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Planning Your Visit

Beat the Heat & Crowds

Arrive early, especially if visiting with kids, to maximize your day and avoid the midday sun. Consider the zoo's layout and plan to tackle the furthest exhibits first to beat the crowds and heat. 🌅 Reddit

Pack Smart for Savings

Bring your own food, snacks, and water bottles. Concession food at Australia Zoo is known to be expensive and of questionable quality, so packing your own can save a significant amount. :moneybag: Reddit

Best Times

When
Early Mornings
Why
Beat the crowds and heat.
Crowd
Low
When
Weekdays
Why
Fewer visitors than weekends.
Crowd
Medium
When
Cooler Months
Why
Animals are more active.
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

A guide to stay safe from Australian wildlife 🐍🦈🐊 #australia #traveladvice #aussiethings #greenscreenvideo
@alexandratuohey
1.1M likes • 11.2M views

🎯 Arrive at Opening

Be there at opening to head straight to the Africa exhibit and beat the crowds. 🌅 Reddit

🎒 Pack Your Own Food

Save money and avoid long queues by bringing your own lunch and snacks. :moneybag: Reddit

First of all let’s all take a moment to thank @BondsAu Because one of our biggest Sunshine Coast highlights? Australia Zoo - hands down. And of course @Robert Irwin We visited back in October and the energy was just electric. Seeing the Irwin family live with the crocs gave me goosebumps. It was such a throwback moment and honestly… Steve would be SO proud of his wife and kids continuing the leg...
@melbournewithsiri
420.5K likes • 2.8M views
The best $80 I’ve ever spent??! 🐯🇦🇺 . . 📍Australia Zoo, Sunshine Coast 🐊 @australiazoo 👸 @shaejorgensen
noah.creative
1.5K likes • 70.5K views

💧 Stay Hydrated

Bring refillable water bottles; cold water stations are available throughout the zoo. :droplet: Reddit

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking, so comfortable footwear is essential. :athletic_shoe: Reddit

Day trip idea from Sydney🥰🥹🩷🩷🩷 it’s a small zoo but we got chance to hold two wombats including one baby wombat 🥰 they also got other cute animals 😆🩷 just purchase ticket at the entry! 🎫 💰$22.5 (adult) $18 (concession) 🐫Taralga Wildlife Park 📍257 Bannaby Rd, Taralga NSW 2580, Australia
eating_forky
135.9K likes • 2M views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Arrive at Opening

Be there at opening to head straight to the Africa exhibit and beat the crowds. 🌅 Reddit

🎒 Pack Your Own Food

Save money and avoid long queues by bringing your own lunch and snacks. :moneybag: Reddit

💧 Stay Hydrated

Bring refillable water bottles; cold water stations are available throughout the zoo. :droplet: Reddit

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking, so comfortable footwear is essential. :athletic_shoe: Reddit

☂️ Prepare for Weather

Bring hats, sunscreen, and potentially rain gear, as weather can change quickly. ☂️ Reddit

🚌 Utilize Shuttle Buses

Take the shuttle bus to the furthest exhibits first to save energy. 🚌 Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.7
(24k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise Australia Zoo for its clean, modern, and thoughtfully designed enclosures that mimic natural habitats. The deep respect for wildlife and the continuation of Steve Irwin's legacy are frequently highlighted as inspiring aspects. While the cost of food is a common complaint, the overall experience is described as beautiful, meaningful, and unforgettable, especially for families.

"Wonderful zoo. Animals have great enclosures. Very clean. Staff were friendly. The main cafe was well stocked and running efficiently. Lots of walking of course so a stroller is recommend for toddlers. Being able to hand-feed kangaroos was a highlight. The legendary Steve Irwin's vision and memory will live on as long as this zoo is open"

Amiee Brown

"Australia Zoo is by far the best zoo I’ve ever visited. It’s clean, modern, and thoughtfully designed, with stunning natural landscaping that perfectly matches the animal habitats. You can really feel the care and respect put into every corner of the zoo.

It’s incredibly family-friendly and kid-friendly. The facilities are outstanding, spacious toilets with room for prams, toddler safety chairs, and small sinks for children to wash their hands independently. There are bins placed everywhere to keep the zoo tidy, free parent rooms throughout the grounds, multiple playgrounds for kids to enjoy, and water refill stations so you can stay hydrated all day. Parking is easy and plentiful, making the whole visit smooth from start to finish.

What made this visit even more special was the deep sense of respect and love for wildlife that runs through the whole zoo. We truly respect the legacy of Steve Irwin, his passion, energy and dedication to animals is something we rarely see in this world. His spirit lives on in every part of the zoo, and it’s inspiring to witness how his vision continues to educate, protect, and connect people with wildlife.

A beautiful, meaningful, and unforgettable experience. Highly recommend for families, nature lovers and anyone who wants to see animals treated with kindness and care."

Hannah O

"Fantastic day out. Beautiful Zoo. The African part was the highlight then the bird & crocodile show. Very clean park, worth every cent for a full day out. Can take your own picnic and plenty of table areas to use and many resting seats around park."

Jane L

What People Like

Exceptional animal enclosures
Irwin family legacy
Family-friendly facilities

What People Dislike

Expensive food and drinks

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Australia Zoo is located on the Sunshine Coast, about an hour's drive north of Brisbane. You can drive yourself, take a taxi or rideshare, or opt for public transport. Many visitors choose to rent a car for flexibility. 🚗 Instagram

Yes, Australia Zoo offers ample free parking for visitors. It's generally easy to find a spot, especially if you arrive early. 🅿️ Reddit

Yes, there are bus services that run to Australia Zoo from Brisbane and surrounding areas. Check with local transport providers for the most up-to-date schedules and routes. 🚌 Reddit

Australia Zoo is generally accessible, with paved pathways throughout. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are available for hire daily, but it's recommended to pre-book them by calling the zoo. ♿ Reddit

Australia Zoo is typically open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It's always a good idea to check their official website for the most current operating hours, especially on public holidays. 🕐 TikTok

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Ticket prices can vary, but general admission for adults is around $80 AUD, with concessions and child tickets available. Booking online in advance can sometimes offer discounts. 🎟️ Instagram

Yes, you can purchase tickets at the gate, but it's often recommended to buy them online in advance to save time and potentially money. 💻 Instagram

Discounts may be available for concessions, students, and families. Check the official Australia Zoo website for current offers and promotions. :discount: TikTok

Your general admission ticket grants you access to all exhibits, shows, and presentations within the zoo. Animal encounters and special experiences are usually an additional cost. ⭐ Reddit

If you plan to visit multiple times a year, an annual pass can be cost-effective. It offers unlimited entry for 12 months and often includes discounts on merchandise and food. 📅 TikTok

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Don't miss the iconic kangaroos, koalas, and of course, the crocodiles in the Crocoseum. The Africa exhibit with giraffes and rhinos is also a major highlight. :animal_labels: Instagram

Yes, Australia Zoo hosts several daily shows, including the famous crocodile feeding and conservation talks in the Crocoseum, and various animal presentations. Check the daily schedule upon arrival. 🎤 TikTok

You can hand-feed kangaroos in their dedicated enclosure, and some animal encounters may offer feeding opportunities for an additional fee. :food_mode: Instagram

Yes, Australia Zoo has a fantastic splash pad and play areas for children, making it a great family-friendly destination. Remember to bring swimwear! :swimming_pool: Reddit

The zoo is quite large. Many visitors recommend starting at the furthest point (Africa exhibit) and working your way back towards the entrance to avoid backtracking and crowds. Shuttle buses are also available. 🗺️ Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Yes, food and drinks at Australia Zoo are generally considered expensive. Many visitors recommend bringing your own packed lunch and snacks to save money. :moneywithwings: Reddit

Australia Zoo has several cafes and food outlets offering a range of options, from quick snacks to meals. The main cafe is well-stocked. 🍴 Reddit

Absolutely! Bringing your own food, snacks, and water bottles is highly encouraged by visitors to save money and ensure you have what you like. :sandwich: Reddit

While specific options can vary, most food outlets at major attractions like Australia Zoo will offer some vegetarian choices. It's best to check with the individual food stalls on the day. :leafy_green: TikTok

Many visitors prefer to picnic in the designated areas. If buying food, the main cafe is often cited as a decent option, but packing your own is the most recommended strategy. :picnic_table: Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Capture close-ups of kangaroos, koalas, and the dramatic crocodile shows. The African savanna exhibit also offers stunning backdrops. 📷 Instagram

Yes, photography is generally allowed for personal use. However, always be mindful of signage and staff instructions, especially during shows or close encounters. :iphone: Instagram

Professional photography or videography may require special permits. Avoid using flash photography directly at animals, as it can disturb them. :no_flash: TikTok

Early morning or late afternoon often provides softer lighting and more active animals. Midday sun can be harsh and animals may seek shade. :sunwithface: TikTok

The walk-through kangaroo enclosure and the viewing platforms around the Crocoseum offer great vantage points. The Africa exhibit provides a scenic backdrop. :camerawithflash: Instagram

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