Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo, QUEENSLAND
Airing Date: Jan 19th, 2004
Just a 45 minute drive from Brisbane, Australia Zoo is home to hundreds of wild animals. With wife Terri and daughter Bindi, Steve took Tom on a personalised tour around the Zoo.
Australia Zoo has over 550 animals and Steve loves each and every one. In fact, the Irwin family actually lives on this 20 acre property with all the animals. That's one wild backyard.
The Zoo is famous for the 100 crocodiles that live there, which is why Steve is known as the Crocodile Hunter.
A highlight of a day at the Zoo is the show featuring the crocs. The animal keepers are actually in the enclosure with them, and if Steve is in town he conducts the shows himself.
The croc show takes place at 1.30pm, and there are also various other shows and activities.
You can feed the Asian small-clawed otters or lunch with Harriet the Giant Land Tortoise, who's a spritely 169 years old. There are snake, fox and camel demonstrations to see, koalas to cuddle, and a wedge-tailed eagle and kite show. If you're feeling adventurous, why not have your photo taken with a giant python?
Between shows, you can wander around the Zoo and view some of the most amazing animals on the planet. In the middle of the Zoo, there's even a special area just for children to get up close to their favourite cuddly animals.
The facts:
Double rooms at the Beerwah Motor Lodge start from $60 per night.
Beerwah Motor Lodge
Tel: 07 5494 1911
The Australia Zoo is open every day except Christmas Day. Admission is $23 per adult and $14 for kids.
Australia Zoo
Tel: 07 5494 1134
Tourism Queensland
Tel: 13 88 33
