A Croc Encounter at Australia Zoo

“Gday Mate”

Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast is home to the Irwin family and is the legacy of the most passionate and energetic wildlife warrior and crocodile conservationist, Steve Irwin.

Steve, known simply as “The Crocodile Hunter” was accidentally struck by the barb of a stingray whilst diving at bat reef on 4th September 2006 and tragically died from his injury.

Today, Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin take care of Australia Zoo ensuring that Steve's legacy lives on. Australia Zoo now encompasses nearly 1000 acres and employs over 400 staff, continuing Steve's mission of "Conservation through exciting education".

The centrepiece of Australia Zoo is The Crocoseum, dedicated to Steve’s work. After exploring Asia and Africa and meeting the tigers, lemurs, giraffes, zebra, rhino, giant turtles and Jen”s favourite, the meerkats, we caught the shuttle across the park to experience a croc encounter and our indigenous wildlife.

Meet Mossman, an impressive 4.5m male salt water crocodile, 100 million years in the making. Mossman slowly moved through the water into the crocoseum in silence... without a ripple or a stir of the water. He’s a pretty big beast and although slow on land, crocs can swim at about 28km/hr so watch out on the river’s edge. They are Australia’s Apex predator and have survived life on earth past the extinction of the dinosaurs.

Although primarily focused on animal conservation, Australia Zoo has lots of exhibits and wildlife encounters so you can get up close and personal and it doesn’t feel like a zoo. Each wildlife area has been meticulously replicated with landscaping and plants to suit each animal’s natural environment.

After exploring the dingos, red kangaroos and reptiles, we retreated from the afternoon sun and headed back to Noosa for a refreshing swim.

Our wine loving friends from Adelaide, Kathy and Manny finally caught us up as they have been chasing us up the coast since Jervis Bay. It’s always a fun time with them so after a sunset drink or two at the caravan park, a trip to the men’s loo (Kathy?), we went into Noosa Main Street and had dinner at Rococco restaurant.Baca lagi