The Australia Zoo in Queensland is a 100 acre zoo owned by Terri Irwin, wife of the late Steve Irwin who was popularly known as the Crocodile Hunter. It was first opened in 1970 by the parents of the late Steve Irwin, and has since then, undergone a number of upgrades. It won the Australia Tourism Award for 2003-2004 under the category of Major Tourist Attraction and has since then lived up to its title. The zoo is located around 22 kilometers, or a 20 minute drive, from the city of Caloundra. Accommodation in the area is plentiful, with a number of hotels even offering shuttles to and from the Australia Zoo. In addition hotels such as the Oaks Oasis, also offer in-house entertainment such as its own water play park.
The Australia Zoo is home to a wide variety of birds, reptiles and mammals and even contains an animal hospital where sick animals are treated. With 6 major exhibits, from the famous Crocoseum, to the Tiger Temple, the Australia Zoo will do nothing short of amaze you. One of the most memorable experiences is an exhibit called the Rainforest Aviary which is an outdoor, walk-through, aviary which is home to over 150 birds.
Guests of the zoo can also witness crocodile feedings and can even participate in the elephant feedings. With staff assistance guests can also feed kangaroos, koalas and wallaby’s, animals which are all indigenous to Australia. However these are not the only animals visitors come in contact with as there are animal teams that walk around the park with animals such as alligators, snakes, birds and lizards.
The Australia Zoo has a number of excursions and packages to choose from to ensure your day is exactly how you planned it would be.
Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.