Crikey, pronounced ‘kraiki’ is a word meaning exclamation of surprise, amazement or dismay. It is a well-used Australian word and was a particular favourite of the late Steve Irwin of Australia Zoo. He took his love of nature and catching ‘crocs’ around the world. Now, one of the best things to do on any visit to Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast, Australia is a visit to Australia Zoo. Why? Crikey – let’s visit Australia Zoo to find out.

In this post I will walk you through a visit to Australia Zoo. Based on my visit, I will help you get ready to make your own visit. It is an easy day trip from Brisbane or day trip from the Sunshine Coast. I made my visit to the zoo on my holiday to Maroochydore, one of the beach suburbs on the Sunshine Coast. So crikey – let’s visit Australia Zoo.

Where is Australia Zoo

Australia Zoo is at a place in Queensland called Beerwah. Beerwah is a rural town in the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

How to Get to Australia Zoo

There are a number of what’s to get to Australia Zoo. They include: 

Self Drive by Car to Australia Zoo

Driving yourself to Australia Zoo is easy. The Sunshine Coast is easily accessible by a number of major highways. Australia Zoo is situated on Steve Irwin Way in Beerwah. It is approximately a 60-minute drive from Brisbane via the Bruce Highway. If you need to rent a car to get there, check out DiscoverCars for availability and pricing.

Catch the Train and Bus to Australia Zoo

You can catch a train from Brisbane Train Station to Beerwah Train Station. Then, use the overhead walkway to go to Platform 1, then wait at #649 bus stop in car park for Australia Zoo’s complimentary bus.

For more details on how to get to Australia Zoo, check out their website for details.

Go on a Tour to Australia Zoo

If you don’t have a car or don’t want to catch the train and bus, go on a tour to Australia Zoo. Get picked up from your accommodation or a specific spot, be driven to the zoo, have your entry ticket included, enjoy the zoo then be driven home. It’s all so easy going on a tour. Check out these tours you can do a round trip from Brisbane or a round trip from the Sunshine Coast.

How much to visit Australia Zoo

There are different ticket prices to visit Australia Zoo, and the price you pay will depend on what you want to see and do at Australia Zoo. You can get an entry ticket and walk around the zoo yourself, however, there are many activities that require extra payment to enjoy. So before you purchase a ticket, check out their website to find out what you can see and do at Australia Zoo, then you can choose the appropriate ticket. 

What to See and Do at Australia Zoo

There are different experiences you can have at Australia. To help you decide here is a quick overview:

• There are animal experiences you can do at Australia Zoo. You could have an animal encounter where you can get up close and personal to a Lemur, Red Panda, Meerkat or cuddle a koala to name to few. 
• Perhaps one of your kids would like to be a ‘Zoo Keeper for the Day’ and learn how to look after animals.
• Walk around enjoying the different habitats. See the Cheetah Grasslands or be enthralled by the beautiful herd of Sumatran elephants in Elephantasia. There is also the Crocodile Environmental Park designed to replicate the billabongs of northern Queensland and act as a safe haven for rescued wild crocodiles. 
• There are conservations shows happening at different times around the zoo like Tortoises Live or Tigers Live where zoo keepers chat to you about the specific animals.
• There are also special tours you can undertake. Go on ‘The Back of House Tour’, perhaps hire a caddie and drive around the 110-acre facility or tour the Wildlife Hospital.
• But my favourite activity was sitting in the world-famous Crocoseum. This is where you see crocodiles in clear water ponds in an action-packed show where you learn about crocodiles and see one or two fed.

So how much to visit Australia Zoo? It will depend on what you want to see and do while visiting Australia Zoo. Best to check the website for more information and to get the latest ticket prices.

Irwin Family statue and my kids

Prepare for Your Day at Australia Zoo

There is plenty to see and do at Australia Zoo so if you can, prepare for your visit so you can make the most of your day visit to the zoo. Even though you can just walk around, you may make on-the-spot decisions and wish you had booked something. Go here and check out times of shows that you might want to see. Keep in mind, that the animals go to bed at 4.30pm.

What to Bring for Your Visit to Australia Zoo

If you are coming to Australia Zoo for half or a whole day there are things to bring to ensure you have a good day.

• Be Sun Smart. Queensland’s sun can be fierce so wear sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. For rainy days bring a rain poncho.
• Wear sensible walking shoes and adapt clothes to the weather. You could bring a jumper just in case it gets cool in the afternoon – it can happen! 
• Swimmers & Towel. If visiting Australia Zoo with kids they might want to splash around in The Laughing Frog Water Park so they will need their swimmers and a towel – you may also!
• Water. It can be thirsty work walking around the Zoo, so  bring a water bottle with you. There are water fountains around the Zoo to refill your bottle. It will be cheaper than buying bottled water at one of the cafes, kiosks, diner and beverage stands in the Zoo – just saying! You can buy if you want.
• Snacks/Food. There are a number of places in the Zoo to get food, such as in the Crikey Café but you may wish to bring your own snacks and food.
• Camera. There will be plenty of photo opportunities during your visit to Australia Zoo, so make sure you bring your camera! 

Where to Stay (at or near) Australia Zoo

Though many stay in accommodation in Brisbane or on the Sunshine Coast, you could consider a stay at The Crocodile Hunter Lodge. I haven’t stayed there myself by I hear it is luxury accommodation surrounded by wilderness and native fauna at the Zoo. You will be able to relax amongst some gorgeous animals and even relax in the 25-metre infinity pool while admiring them. Check more details and to book your stay at The Crocodile Hunter Lodge here.

For accommodation options on the Sunshine Coast go here.

For accommodation options in Brisbane go here.

Crikey – Are You Ready to Visit Australia Zoo?

A visit to Australia Zoo is a great day trip from Brisbane or day trip from the Sunshine Coast. I really enjoyed my visit discovering the animals of Australia Zoo. Have you been to Australia Zoo? I’d love to hear.