Koala at the Australia Zoo near Brisbane

Getty Images

Australia Zoo

Sunshine Coast


Just north of Beerwah is one of Queensland’s most famous tourist attractions. Australia Zoo is a fitting homage to its founder, wildlife enthusiast Steve Irwin. The park has an amazing menagerie, with a Cambodian-style Tiger Temple, the famous Crocoseum and a dizzying array of critters, including native dingoes, Tasmanian devils and hairy-nosed wombats.

Various companies offer tours from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. The zoo operates a free bus to/from the Beerwah train station.

Plan to spend a full day here.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Sunshine Coast attractions

1. Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve

6.33 MILES

The ethereal, 55-hectare Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve wraps visitors in a remnant of the subtropical rainforests that once blanketed the Blackall Range…

2. Glass House Mountains Lookout

7.54 MILES

If you're driving, head up to the Glass House Mountains Lookout for a spectacular, sweeping panorama of the Glass House Mountains and beyond. On clear…

3. Maleny Botanic Gardens

8.79 MILES

This privately owned oasis comprises 18 acres of steep escarpment that has been manicured into a tapestry of paths, hedges, lawns and ponds with sweeping…

4. Queensland Air Museum

9.62 MILES

Occupying two hangars beside Caloundra airport, the volunteer-run QAM houses about 100 civilian and military aircraft, including a mid-century Douglas DC…

5. Caloundra Regional Gallery

10.79 MILES

When you're done with catching rays and waves, sidestep to this small, sophisticated gallery. Rotating exhibitions showcase quality local and national…

6. Caloundra Street Fair

10.94 MILES

On Sunday mornings, crowds flock to Bulcock St to browse Caloundra's market stalls. You'll find everything from international street food to local art,…

7. Big Pineapple

11.64 MILES

Sprouting 10km west of Maroochydore, the 16m-high, fibreglass Big Pineapple is one of Queensland's most iconic and thoroughly underwhelming tourist…

8. Wildlife HQ

11.73 MILES

Located at the Big Pineapple, this 8-hectare zoo houses native Australian, African, South American and rare Asian critters, among them binturongs, red…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "australia/queensland/glass-house-mountains/attractions/australia-zoo/a/poi-sig/1155817/1300134",
      "destination": "Sunshine-Coast",
      "continent": "Australia-&-Pacific",
      "country": "Australia",
      "region": "Sunshine-Coast",
      "position": "superzone"
    }