Review: Is Australia Zoo Worth it?

If you’re planning a trip to the Sunshine Coast, chances are you’ve already asked yourself: is Australia Zoo worth visiting? Known as the home of the late Steve Irwin and now run by the Irwin family, this world-famous zoo is one of Queensland’s biggest attractions and it’s especially popular with first-time visitors.

The challenge, however, is knowing what to expect. With so much hype around Australia Zoo, some travellers worry it might just feel touristy or overpriced. Others aren’t sure how long they need, what exhibits are worth prioritising, or how to plan their day to get the best experience.

As a Brisbane local and visiting plenty of times of the years, I’ve put together this complete review and guide to help you decide if Australia Zoo is right for you. From ticket options and show highlights to tips on food and how to make the most of your time, this post will give you everything you need to know before you go.

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My Overall Australia Zoo Review!

First up, I want to say that I have visited Australia Zoo multiple times over the years and definitely seen some changes in that time. This includes the animal numbers and varieties increasing, display changes and especially the size of the park!

I think you’re going to like visiting Australia Zoo! Especially, if you’re a fan of the Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin or his kids, their passion for animal conservation, or like looking wildlife from around the world.

While I am the type of person who likes seeing wildlife actually in the wild, facilities like this bring it closer to people with limited time or options. Would I go back again? Yes, but it might be a few years between visits to see the newer additions to the park.

➡  Compare & Purchases Zoo tickets HERE

Don’t want to read the post? Then, check out my video below from our visit to Australia Zoo.

How much does it cost?

General entry into Australia Zoo for an adult is $74.95, and a child is $49.95, and there are concession, pensioner and family discounts. But when a family of 4 is $225.65, it’s already a highly expensive day, and that doesn’t include food, souvenirs or personal Animal encounters.

➡  Compare & Purchases Zoo tickets HERE

Do I think the price is worth what you see in Australia Zoo? Well, I’m somewhat leaning towards the “Yes” side, but I do have reasons why it wouldn’t.

Surprisingly, there are three other wildlife parks in South East Queensland (all mentioned below) that are all smaller in size and cheaper to visit. This means If you’re looking to see a specific animal, you might find it available at another Park.  

However, Australia Zoo holds the monopoly on different animal encounters and houses the biggest variety of species from around the world. So, if that’s what you’re after, then the price is probably worth it!

Just know the Annual Pass is slightly cheaper than 2-day passes, so if you have more days up your sleeve, it could be worth looking at.

Do you need help planning your trip to Queensland? Book a one-on-one consultation call with me, to get your questions answered & personalised help!

How much time do you need?

You will definitely need ONE whole day to see the Australia Zoo.

My best recommendation is to arrive at opening time (open 9am to 5pm daily), wear comfortable walking shoes and ensure you plan your day before you get there, so you can make the most of your time.

But, here’s a Map to get you started!

The park is absolutely massive and I personally found it hard to see every single show and animal exhibit in one day. So, you’ll have to round down what’s most important to you to see first, and everything else in between is an added bonus.

Animal Exhibits / Shows & Encounters?

Australia Zoo is home to over 1,200 animals, including native Australian species such as koalas, kangaroos, wombats, and Tasmanian devils.

But what sets this zoo apart is its collection of exotic animals from around the world.

There are just way too many animal exhibits to mention all of them here. I guess some of the biggest ones would be the Elephant, Tigers, Giraffes, Snakes and Lizards, and obviously the many different Crocodile enclosures.

We did happen to witness a tiger snake shedding it skin, which took well over 30 minutes to finish. While I’ve seen plenty of skins over the years, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the actual shedding in person and made it worth the visit.

➡  Compare & Purchases Zoo tickets HERE

Apart from that, I really enjoy the cute Lemurs, which are so very playful with their antics. Plus, the Meerkats are always fun to watch for some time. You can feed the Kangaroo’s, but unless you’re there first thing in the morning, I find they aren’t that interested.

Animal encounters?

There are more than 15 different animal encounters you can complete for an extra charge.

Some to mention are the Red pandas, Meerkats, the dingos, Otters, and the Giraffes. These range in price from about $30 to $150 on top of the general entry price mentioned above.

Be aware that the cheaper ones are more about getting a photo with the animal, and the higher-priced ones are more about interacting. Some animals have age and mobility restrictions, so it’s best to read the details first on their website before booking.

Just know that between checking in for your allotted time, finding out the do’s and don’t and rules for being in the enclosure, plus the experience. It will take a considerable chunk of time out of your day from seeing anything else.

Not only that, but there are only a few people that will be allowed to do it each day. So, if it’s high on your list, then I recommend booking early, especially if you’re visiting on school holidays.

Special Events or Shows?

The biggest show you’ll want to attend is in the Crocosuem for the Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Show. This happens at 1:15pm daily and you’ll find almost the entire park is there for the Crocodile show.

Also note, that during special events or school holidays is also when you’re likely to see any of the Irwin’s here.

This actually starts out as a free-flight bird show and moves into the Saltwater Crocodile display. However, while it is the highlighted event, I find there is a little too much emphasis on the birds than on the crocodiles everyone is there to see.

Despite that, It’s still a great idea to attend!

➡  Compare & Purchases Zoo tickets HERE

Apart from that, there are scheduled talks and live events throughout the park, including the Tiger show, Reptiles, and tortoises. We managed to see the Birds of Prey display in the afternoon, which added the benefit of learning without reading the displays.

Staff, Facilities & Dining?

Most of the staff and service areas were great. The ones presenting at the live animal demonstrations were passionate about animal conservation and education. Plus, I found most of the enclosures were well maintained, and Bathroom facilities available all around the park.

There is one main dining area and a couple of cafes around the park where you can grab drinks and snacks. The main Crikey Café area had plenty of room and food choices to pick from. This includes burgers, pizza, hot chips, sandwiches, sushi, and salads.

I wouldn’t says it’s the cheapest, but probably comparable to other parks in the area. Although, feel free to bring your own food if you’re not sure!

Where is Australia Zoo?

Australia Zoo is located in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in the Southern area of Queensland. It takes about 30 minutes to get there from Mooloolaba, but also 1 hour and 20 minutes from Brisbane.

In fact, it is possible to day trip from Brisbane, but I would leave early and ensure you arrive at opening time.

FAQ’s – Common Questions?

Can you visit in the rain?

There are both pros and cons to visiting Australia Zoo in the rain.

Pros would be:

• Less people around, so it’s more peaceful and easier to move around the park.
• Some animals are also known to be more active during rain or cooler weather, so you might get a closer look at them.

Cons would be:

• Shows and animal encounters may be cancelled due to safety reasons.
• Walking Paths would be slippery
• Most of the park is outdoors, so you’ll need an umbrella or poncho

Is it Accessible?

I find the entire park is accessible for almost everyone, with ramps and wide pathways.

But, I think the size of the park has some people at a disadvantage or an increased cost to get around. Walking from one side of the park took me at least 20 minutes, so doing this back and forth to see the specific shows can eat into your time.

I did see a shuttle service running from the entrance to the African exhibit. But, it runs every 15 to 30 minutes and can get busy, depending how many of them are running. Therefore, it might save your sore feet, but wait times could add up and you’ll see less animals.

You can also hire a Wheelchair for $35 per day, or a Motorised scooter for $70 per day. They also have prams and carts for the families with kids.

Can you get there from the Gold Coast?

Yes, it is possible to get from the Gold Coast to Australia Zoo. In fact, there is a shuttle bus specially organised to pick up from a mutual Surfers Paradise location, or selected hotels.

However, know this is a VERY LONG DAY and will collect people from many locations on the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Direct driving takes more than 2 hours one-way, so you can just imagine how much extra it is with pickups!

In this case, I would either consider visiting Currumbin Wildlife Park on the Gold Coast, or hiring your own car to get you to Australia Zoo.

➡Find your favourite brand & compare prices for your Rental Car HERE

Other Zoo’s in South East Queensland

While Australia Zoo is known worldwide as the more popular one, there are three other parks available in the South East Queensland area. This includes:

• The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane
• Wildlife HQ Zoo near the Big Pineapple
• Plus, the Currumbin Wildlife Zoo on the Gold Coast.

I have visited them all, and each has its own pros and cons. One of the biggest reasons is that they might be better suited to budget-conscious people out there, especially if you just want to see Australian animals like Kangaroos and Koalas.

Wrap Up!

I hope this review today gave you enough details to make an informed choice for your group. In the end, I do think it’s worth visiting Australia Zoo at least once in your lifetime. But, if you want to check out other activities in the area, then please see the rest of my Sunshine Coast collection for planning and research.

• Best Snorkelling Sites in Queensland + Map
• Fun things to do on the Sunshine Coast
• Things to see on a Brisbane to Cairns Road trip
• Exposing the Downsides to a Great Barrier Reef Pontoon Tour
• Tips to know BEFORE planning a Queensland Road Trip
• Gold Coast Vs Sunshine Coast – Which is better for you to visit?
• Best Day trips from the Sunshine Coast