Australia Zoo & Wildlife Experiences

The "Home of the Crocodile Hunter" is one of Queensland's most iconic attractions and one of the most significant wildlife conservation facilities in the Southern Hemisphere. Founded by Steve Irwin's parents Bob and Lyn in 1970 and transformed by Steve and Terri into a world-class zoo, the park today houses more than 1,200 animals across 100 acres and continues to be operated by the Irwin family — Terri, Bindi, Robert and Chandler Powell.

Australia Zoo's mission, "Conservation Through Exciting Education," runs through every corner of the experience. A significant portion of every ticket sold supports the Wildlife Warriors global conservation program — funding projects to protect Sumatran tigers, sea turtles, African lions and Queensland's own injured native wildlife through the on-site hospital.

Steve Irwin's ultimate dream was to allow visitors to sleep overnight surrounded by the wildlife he devoted his life to protecting. That dream is now a stunning reality at the Crocodile Hunter Lodge — a luxury eco-accommodation nestled in native bushland adjacent to Australia Zoo. One-, two- and three-bedroom cabins, some two-storey and some featuring heated plunge pools overlooking a freshwater crocodile billabong, blend five-star comfort with a genuine conservation mission.

The design details are extraordinary. Cabin timbers were upcycled from a Crocoseum grandstand that Steve built with his own hands. The landscaped gardens are planted with critically endangered species including the Glass House Mountains tea tree. The lobby features live diamond python and bearded dragon exhibits. And outside, resident red kangaroos, emus, koalas and echidnas move freely across the grounds — visible from the 25-metre infinity pool and the acclaimed Warrior Restaurant & Bar, which sources every ingredient from within 100 kilometres of the lodge.

Rates from $949 per night include a welcome wildlife gift, full daily breakfast, unlimited Australia Zoo entry for the duration of your stay, a Wildlife Hospital Sneak Peek tour, and a dining credit for dinner at Warrior. A complimentary shuttle service runs between the lodge and the zoo. The Lodge won the World Luxury Hotel Awards in its inaugural year and continues to attract accolades — but it's the experience of waking up to kangaroos grazing outside your cabin window that makes it genuinely unforgettable.

Located at The Wharf precinct in Mooloolaba — one of the Sunshine Coast's most vibrant dining and leisure destinations — SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast is a multi-award-winning all-weather aquarium that has undergone significant investment and expansion in recent years. Three interactive levels and 11 themed zones make it one of the most impressive aquarium experiences in Queensland.

The centrepiece is the 80-metre Ocean Tunnel, where sharks, rays, sea turtles and thousands of tropical fish glide directly overhead as you walk through. Other must-see zones include Seahorse Kingdom — home to several species of seahorse and weedy seadragons — a Tidal Touch Pool where kids can handle live sea stars and sea cucumbers, the enchanting Little Blue Penguin colony, and Seal Island with daily keeper presentations that are genuinely educational and entertaining.

For thrill-seekers, Shark Dive Xtreme offers the Sunshine Coast's only cage-less diving experience inside the Ocean Tunnel — a 30-minute underwater encounter with Grey Nurse Sharks, reef sharks and stingrays. No scuba certification is required (confident swimmers aged 14+ only). Numbers are extremely limited; book weeks ahead.

SEA LIFE is one of the best rainy-day activities on the Sunshine Coast and an absolute hit with children. Allow 2–3 hours, then enjoy the Mooloolaba Esplanade immediately outside for lunch, coffee and beach access all in the same precinct.

Tucked beside the iconic Big Pineapple in Woombye, Wildlife HQ Zoo is home to more than 200 native and exotic animals across a beautifully maintained park setting. Smaller and considerably more intimate than Australia Zoo, it's designed for up-close encounters — and delivers on that promise with feeding experiences, photo sessions and a relaxed pace that large theme-park-style venues can't match.

Species on site include koalas (with a holding experience unique to Queensland), wombats, dingoes, freshwater crocodiles, sun bears, red pandas, meerkats, quokkas, cotton-top tamarins and a spectacular walk-through rainbow lorikeet aviary. The café features a Cotton Top Tamarin exhibit right beside the outdoor tables — immersive dining at its finest.

Between June and November each year, thousands of humpback whales complete their annual migration from the feeding grounds of Antarctica to the warm breeding waters of the Coral Sea — passing directly along the Sunshine Coast on the way. It's one of the world's great wildlife migration spectacles, and the Sunshine Coast is one of Australia's premier locations for experiencing it up close.

Whale-watching cruises depart from both Mooloolaba and Noosa on most days during the season. Small-group vessels position themselves at respectful distances while humpbacks breach, tail slap, spy-hop and sometimes approach the boat out of pure curiosity. An experienced marine biologist or naturalist typically narrates each encounter, making these trips as educational as they are extraordinary.

For the true bucket-list experience, Sunreef Mooloolaba operates Australia's first licensed swim-with-humpback-whales program — four-hour tours where you enter the open ocean alongside these 40-tonne gentle giants on their own terms. Wetsuits and snorkelling equipment are provided; no scuba certification is required. Encounters are strictly regulated under a Commonwealth permit, and tour numbers are capped to ensure both animal welfare and the quality of the experience.

Noosa Everglades — The River of Mirrors

One of only two everglade systems in the world, the Noosa Everglades form a pristine, tea-tree-stained waterway that mirrors the surrounding paperbark and melaleuca forest in its still, glassy surface. Accessible by kayak, canoe or eco-cruise from Boreen Point on the shores of Lake Cootharaba, this ancient system is home to an extraordinary density of wildlife — over 44% of Australia's bird species have been recorded here, including sea eagles, azure kingfishers, jabiru storks and the rare Eastern Grass Owl.

Guided kayak tours with award-winning operators like Kanu Kapers range from half-day paddles to multi-day camping expeditions deep into the wilderness. Their signature full-day tour includes a gourmet brunch prepared on-site using local produce, expert ecological commentary and all paddling equipment. An experience unlike anything else in Queensland.

Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World

Set on the Blackall Range in the hinterland, these spectacular gardens combine a curated collection of rare exotic plants with a genuinely extraordinary free-flight tropical bird aviary. Step inside and macaws, cockatoos, lorikeets, parrots and toucans land on your head, shoulders and outstretched arms. Elevated walkways offer sweeping views of the Glass House Mountains. A relaxed, unhurried half-day experience that surprises most visitors with its quality.

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve

Fifty-five hectares of protected subtropical rainforest above Maleny, accessible via a 1.7 km boardwalk where lucky visitors spot red-necked pademelons, lace monitors, Australian brush-turkeys, green tree frogs, giant earthworms and dozens of bird species. The excellent Discovery Centre makes wildlife identification fun for children. Free entry, open daily. See our Hinterland Walks guide for full details on all trails in the area.