9 Things To Know for Your First Visit to Australia Zoo

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Located on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia Zoo is open every day of the year, except for Christmas, giving people of all ages the chance to explore this unmissable destination. Visitors can also find Australia Zoo discount tickets through various programs and apps, such as RACQ membership and The Entertainment App.

Adults and kids alike can experience rarities and favourites when doors open at 9 AM, with tickets including interactive and informative wildlife shows throughout the day.

While the official closing time is at 5 PM, some of the animals head off to bed at 4:30 PM, so you want to make sure you pack in all of your must-sees before this time.

Mum and Dad can book tickets to Australia Zoo for the family online, with all tickets remaining valid for a few years.

Alternatively, you can purchase tickets at the door—the prices are the same either way. Additionally, various Australia Zoo offers are available for different groups, including Defence Force personnel and emergency services workers. Finally, the site spans a massive 700 acres, so everyone has more than enough space.

1. Australia Zoo Ticket Prices

Standard entry tickets allow you access to all the fantastic animals housed at Australia Zoo.

They also grant you access to various children’s activities, such as the Laughing Frog Waterpark, Bindi’s Island, and the highly sought-after educational wildlife shows.

Prices for tickets to Australia Zoo range from:

1. Australia Zoo Ticket Prices

Standard entry tickets allow you access to all the fantastic animals housed at Australia Zoo. 

They also grant you access to various children’s activities, such as the Laughing Frog Waterpark, Bindi’s Island, and the highly sought-after educational wildlife shows.

Prices for tickets to Australia Zoo range from:

AUSTRALIA ZOO TICKET PRICES [UPDATED 2023]

ADMISSION – 1 DAY

*$2/person extra for Hospital Sneak Peek inclusion. Prices are subject to change – see latest pricing here.*

Note that children under the age of three may enter free of charge, and children 15 years and older qualify as an adult.

Any local or international student, senior, or pensioner card is accepted, so long as it’s valid, while students must also carry a valid I.D. Discounts are available for Australian Defence Force personnel and Australian War Veterans, including their family members, when proper identification is presented.

2. A Gold Coin Gives You Access to Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital

For an additional $2, zoo-goers can take a sneak peek at the veterinary team treating any sick or injured animals in the Wildlife Hospital. All proceeds go to the hospital and support further conservation efforts.

If you’d like a more comprehensive overview and exclusive tour of the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, adults can buy tickets for $19 or $9 per child. Time slots are available at:

• 10:00 AM
• 2:30 PM
• 3:30 PM

Visiting the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital

The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital is a state-of-the-art facility that provides medical care and rehabilitation to injured and orphaned wildlife. 

Visitors can take a guided tour of the hospital and get a sneak peek into the veterinary team’s daily operations. The hospital is equipped with advanced medical equipment and staffed by experienced veterinarians and wildlife experts.

During the tour, you’ll learn about the various conservation efforts and rehabilitation programs in place at the hospital. 

Witness firsthand the care and treatment provided to the animals, including surgeries, X-rays, and other medical procedures. This behind-the-scenes experience is a fantastic way to understand the importance of conservation and the critical role that Australia Zoo plays in protecting and preserving native wildlife.

3. Australia Zoo Opening Hours

Australia Zoo is open 364 days a year, closed only on Christmas Day (December 25).

Regular Opening Hours

• The zoo opens daily at 9 AM. This is when the main gates open, and guests can start entering the park.
• The last entry for all guests is at 3 PM. This means you must enter the zoo before 3 PM to get a full day’s access.
• The zoo’s official closing time is 5 PM. However, some animal enclosures start closing at 4:30 PM as the animals are taken off display to retire for the evening.
• Key animal enclosures like the crocodile exhibits, the Tasmanian devil enclosure, and the farmyard close at 5 PM.
• The gift shops, food outlets, and other facilities remain open until 5 PM.

Getting There for Opening Time

• Arrive early, especially during peak seasons, to ensure you are through the gates when the zoo opens at 9 AM.
• Parking on-site can take 15-20 minutes. To avoid traffic delays, consider taking the shuttle bus from nearby locations.
• Pick up a map to plan your day efficiently and route through the zoo.
• Head straight for your must-see exhibits first, as crowds tend to gather at the most popular exhibits later in the day.

4. Planning Your Day at Australia Zoo

Using the Australia Zoo app on iOS and Android is a sure way to maximise your experience. Here, you can view all the wildlife shows and their times and use the app to plan your day before you even arrive. Additionally, children can enjoy a free birthday offer, allowing them free admission on their special day.

There’s even a virtual tour available, which contains loads of relevant information, like how to book an encounter and other interesting animal facts.

Tip: Before visiting Australia Zoo, download the map on your phone and decide which beautiful animals are on your must-see list. Create a brief outline of the direction you’d like to take so that you can see all the animals without walking in circles or having to retrace your steps. This will also help you maximise your time and avoid crowds.

Shows You Shouldn’t Miss

At 1:15 PM, you’ll witness the Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Show in the Crocoseum, featuring giant snakes and, of course, the amazing crocodiles. This show is part of the Wildlife Warriors conservation projects, aiming to educate and inspire about wildlife preservation. There are also daily live conservation shows at the following times:

Note: It’s advisable to arrive early for the shows to secure good seats. Also, in the spirit of wildlife warriors worldwide, don’t miss the exciting events planned for holidays and special occasions. Children celebrating their birthdays can enjoy free admission, making their special day even more memorable.

Feed the Kangaroos

Purchase a bag of roo food for a couple of coins from the Info Desk or any gift shop. The gentle giants (and their little ones) can be hand-fed, patted, and photographed at your leisure. Australia Zoo houses red and grey kangaroos and swamp, rock, and red-necked wallabies.

Take a Studio Photo with the Native Wildlife

Tackle your wild side and get photographic proof of yourself or the kids getting up close and personal with a cuddly koala or a slithery snake. Printed photos are 6” X 8” and can be downloaded onto your device. Find the photo studio near the Info Desk.

Native Wildlife Photoshoot Times:

• Koalas: 10:45am, 12:30pm or 2:00pm
• Snakes: 12:45 PM

5. Animal Encounters

One-on-one encounters with wild animals are hugely popular, so it’s best to book in advance and plan your day around them. Take note of the different times and prices, and enjoy an unforgettable experience.

You can choose between:

Note: Note: Prices and encounter availability are subject to change. Emergency service personnel discounts are available with proper identification, though these generally do not extend to family members except for certain groups like Australian Defence Force and War Veteran spouses. See all current prices and show times here.

6. Pack a Bag for Australia Zoo

Australia Zoo is predominantly outdoors, so be sure to pack weather-appropriate clothing and protection. Hats and sunscreen are a must, even if the sun seems to be hiding, and an umbrella never goes astray.

The Laughing Frog Waterpark has a splash area and a huge water-dumping frog to cool off guests of all ages. Whether you want to pack in swimmers and towels or just wet your toes, the waterpark offers great relief from the Sunshine Coast heat.

There is so much for the kids to see and do that packing in toys isn’t really necessary. Please leave the drones, balls, and frisbees at home to ensure the safety of our animals and guests.

Meanwhile, there is an abundance of things to buy in the gift shops on site, if you’ve forgotten anything – including basic medication and sanitary products.

Finally, there are lockers available to hire if you don’t want to cart all your stuff around with you all day:

• Small: $5.00 for 4 hours or $8.00 for the entire day
• Medium: $8.00 for 4 hours or $12.00 for the entire day
• Large: $10.00 for 4 hours or $15.00 for the entire day.

7. Pack a Picnic or Buy a Meal

There are loads of shady spots throughout the Australia Zoo with playgrounds to take a picnic break. Bring all your favourite treats, but please leave any glass, straws, or alcoholic beverages at home.

The zoo also has a wide range of food store options available, including:

• Crikey Café has everything from burgers and pizzas to salads, with vegetarian and gluten-free variations as well.
• The Laughing Frog Lolly Shop has over 300 lollies and interesting ice-cream flavours.
• There are also numerous vendors and drink and confectionery machines around the grounds.

The zoo doesn’t have halal options, but guests are welcome to bring their own.

8. Getting Around the Zoo

The Croc Lair Gift Shop at the zoo’s entrance has hireable prams, scooters, and wheelchairs available and can be pre-booked by calling +61 7 5436 2000. The items can be loaded onto the shuttles, except for the scooters. Prices are as follows:

• Pram, pull-along cart or wheelchair: $20
• Mobility scooter: $65.00

Please note that the scooter has a maximum weight limit of 135kg, and the driver must be at least 18 years old. Bikes, scooters, and shoes with wheels are also prohibited on the zoo grounds. Prices on hiring the above equipment are also subject to change. See this page for more information.

9. Get to Know the Irwins

Australia Zoo was initially known as the Beerwah Reptile Park, a wildlife park established in 1970 by the parents of the late Steve Irwin. Steve grew up amongst the wildlife and had a keen interest in crocodiles. He volunteered for the East Coast Crocodile Management Program, where he captured and relocated more than 100 crocodiles.

He married his wife Terri in 1992, and their unlikely honeymoon included a crocodile rescue mission. The couple went on to film over 300 episodes of various crocodile documentary series.

In 1990, Steve’s parents retired, and the younger generation decided that, due to the wildlife park’s rapid growth and expansion, it should be renamed Australia Zoo. They also established the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, which rehabilitates more than 7000 native Australian animals annually.

Loved by Australians and the world alike, Steve tragically passed away in 2006. His wife and two children, Bindi and Robert, continue to live out his legacy through their work for animals worldwide and at Australia Zoo. See everything the family’s legacy has built and embraced here at this world-renowned destination – a must-see in your Sunshine Coast Getaway.

Located on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia Zoo is open every day of the year, except for Christmas, giving people of all ages the chance to explore this unmissable destination.

When doors open at 9 AM, adults and kids alike can experience rarities and favourites. Australia Zoo tickets include interactive and informative wildlife shows throughout the day. While the official closing time is 5 PM, some of the animals head off to bed at 4:30 PM, so you want to make sure you pack in all of your must-sees before this time.

Mum and dad can book tickets to Australia Zoo for the family online, with all tickets remaining valid for a few years. Alternatively, you can purchase tickets at the door – the prices are the same either way. Finally, the site spans a massive 700 acres, so everyone has more than enough space.

10. Support The Zoo’s Conservation Efforts

Australia Zoo is deeply committed to supporting conservation efforts and protecting native wildlife. Visitors can contribute to these efforts by making a donation to the Wildlife Warriors Worldwide organisation, founded by Steve Irwin and his wife Terri. This organisation supports numerous conservation projects and wildlife rehabilitation programs around the globe.

Another way to support conservation is by purchasing merchandise from the zoo’s gift shop, where a portion of the proceeds goes directly to conservation projects. Additionally, you can participate in the zoo’s conservation programs, such as the Adopt-an-Animal program, which allows you to adopt an animal and support its care and conservation symbolically.

How You Can Contribute

There are several ways you can contribute to the conservation efforts at Australia Zoo:

• Make a Donation: Support the Wildlife Warriors Worldwide organisation with a financial contribution.
• Purchase Merchandise: Buy souvenirs from the zoo’s gift shop, knowing that part of the proceeds supports conservation projects.
• Adopt an Animal: Participate in the Adopt-an-Animal program to symbolically adopt an animal and contribute to its care.
• Spread Awareness: Share the importance of conservation and protecting native wildlife with your friends and family.
• Support Global Projects: Engage with and support conservation projects and wildlife rehabilitation programs worldwide.

By contributing to these efforts, you can help make a significant difference in the lives of native wildlife and support the vital work of Australia Zoo.

11. Use Our Insider Tips for a Great Visit

To make the most of your visit to Australia Zoo, consider these insider tips:

• Plan Ahead: Arrive early and plan your day in advance to beat the crowds and ensure you see all your must-visit exhibits.
• Dress Comfortably: Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, as you’ll be walking a lot.
• Sun Protection: Bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun.
• Stay Connected: Use the zoo’s free Wi-Fi to stay connected and share your photos on social media.
• Enjoy the Shows: Don’t miss the live shows and demonstrations, which are included in the cost of admission.
• Take Breaks: Take a break and enjoy a meal or snack at one of the zoo’s restaurants or cafes.
• Value Passes: Consider purchasing a family pass or annual membership for the best value.

By following these tips, you can ensure a fun and memorable visit to Australia Zoo with your family and friends.

Maximise Your Experience

To truly maximise your experience at Australia Zoo, be sure to:

• Arrive Early: Beat the crowds and make the most of your day by arriving early.
• Plan Your Day: Use the zoo map and plan your route to see all your favourite animals and exhibits.
• Stay Connected: Use the zoo’s free Wi-Fi to share your experiences and stay updated.
• Attend Shows: Don’t miss the live shows and demonstrations for an educational and entertaining experience.
• Take Breaks: Enjoy a meal or snack at one of the zoo’s dining options to recharge.
• Consider Memberships: For frequent visitors, a family pass or annual membership offers great value.
• Tour the Wildlife Hospital: Take a guided tour of the Wildlife Hospital to learn about the zoo’s conservation efforts.
• Support Conservation: Donate or purchase merchandise to support the zoo’s conservation projects.