Beerwah: Australia Zoo and a striking mountain landscape

Australia Zoo is located on Steve Irwin Way in Beerwah; the town is also home to the largest volcanic plug in the Glass House Mountains. Nearby, Mount Beerwah rises to 556 metres above sea level, making it the highest peak in the mountain group. In Beerwah, wildlife and a striking volcanic landscape offer two very different travel interests side by side.

Australia Zoo: Wildlife and Tours

Australia Zoo is the home of Steve Irwin. It covers more than 110 acres and is home to 1,200 animals. Tourist descriptions characterise it as a particularly interactive conservation destination. If you’re interested in the work that goes on behind the scenes, you can look into the Back of House Tour: it passes a giraffe savannah, rhino bomas and paddocks, an elephant paddock, a cheetah enclosure and groups of lemurs. With a little luck, you may also see the rhinos taking a mud bath. This is a possibility, not a guaranteed sighting; check the tour’s current availability with the operator.

At the Crocoseum, visitors can watch the Wildlife Warriors Show at 12 noon, featuring saltwater crocodiles, birds and snakes. Show details and times may change; check the current schedule for your visit. For families travelling with children, the stated showtime is a useful reference point when planning the day, but it does not indicate how long a zoo visit takes.

Getting There and Connections

From Brisbane, Australia Zoo is about a 60-minute drive via the Bruce Highway. Travel time may vary depending on traffic. Queensland Rail Citytrain also connects the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Beerwah and operates seven days a week. If you’re planning to travel by train, check the operator’s current information.

A free shuttle connects Beerwah Train Station and Australia Zoo. The zoo’s Courtesy Coach picks up passengers at the station and serves most trains; taxis and rideshare services are also options. Transport arrangements may change, so it’s worth confirming the timetable and current details with the operator before your trip. When choosing a holiday rental, it may be helpful to factor your preferred mode of travel and this connection into your plans.

Mount Beerwah and Trails in the National Park

Mount Beerwah is the highest peak in the Glass House Mountains, at 556 metres above sea level. The largest volcanic plug in the mountain group, by contrast, is associated with Beerwah. These two facts describe different aspects of the landscape: the highest peak nearby and the volcanic plug that Beerwah is home to.

Across the wider travel region, Glass House Mountains National Park offers walking trails and shared-use trails at several locations. Named routes include Tibrogargan Circuit, Soldier Settlers Trail and Trachyte Circuit. The walks described are graded moderate, Grade 3, and take 1.5 to 3 hours. Check park alerts and current conditions before setting out.

The time details provide a practical comparison for planning your day: the zoo show is scheduled for 12 noon, while the walks described take 1.5 to 3 hours. A holiday rental in Beerwah may suit travellers whose focus is the zoo and local connections; those mainly planning to explore the national park’s trails can also consider them as part of the wider travel region. Shape your search around which of these different perspectives matters most for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Cooroy, Alexandra Headland, Caloundra, Buderim, Doonan, Pelican Waters, Montville, Yandina.

For the overview of the wider travel region: Sunshine Coast.