Question: Where Is Australia Zoo?

Answer:

Australia Zoo, made famous by Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, is located in the Queensland town of Beerwah on the lower Sunshine Coast, southwest of Caloundra.

If you're driving from Brisbane to Noosa on the freeway, you'll miss Australia Zoo altogether.

Australia Zoo is close to the Glasshouse Mountains and is in fact on the Glasshouse Mountains Tourist Drive, now known as Irwin Way.

Driving to Australia Zoo

If coming from Brisbane or further south, get on the Bruce Highway (Highway 1) heading north to the Sunshine Coast.

Ten kilometres past the Caboolture exit, take the Glasshouse Mountains exit on the left — there should a big brown sign with Beerburrum, Maleny and Landsborough on it — and follow Irwin Way for some 18 kilometres without exiting.

Go past the Beerburrum, Glasshouse Mountains and Beerwah exits.

Australia Zoo should be about three kilometres further with its entrance on your right.

Going by rail

If going by rail, take the train to Beerwah where an Australia Zoo courtesy coach will ferry you to the zoo. If the courtesy coach is not at the station when you arrive, telephone the zoo on 5436-2000 and a bus will be sent out to fetch you.

Courtesy coach from Noosa

If coming from the Sunshine Coast, the Australia Zoo courtesy coach stops at Noosa Heads Bus Stop; Coolum Surf Club; Maroochy RSL, Maroochydore; Intercity bus stop, Alex Hedlands; River Esplanade bus stop, Mooloolaba; and Caloundra Bus Interchange on Cooma Terrace.

The courtesy coach leaves Noosa Heads at 8.30am and after its several stops along the way reaches Australia Zoo at 10.20am. The return trip leaves at 4pm.

You must book in advance to take the courtesy bus. Information on 07-5436-2000.

Coach tours

Coach tours to Australia Zoo are available from Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Check with your hotel or a visitor information centre for travel schedules and costs.