Gold Coast to Australia Zoo: Distance, drive time & transfers

The Gold Coast to Australia Zoo drive takes around two hours, although you can take the Croc Express bus from Surfers Paradise instead.

Australia Zoo is one of the most popular attractions in South East Queensland. But it’s a little bit out of the way, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland to the north-west of Brisbane. If you’re staying on the Gold Coast, you can be forgiven for thinking the Gold Coast to Australia Zoo drive is a bit too far.

Where is Australia Zoo?

Australia Zoo is located at 1638 Steve Irwin Way in Beerwah, Queensland. The road was renamed in honour of TV’s Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, owner of the zoo until his death.

The exact location is just between Beerwah and Landsborough, not far off the Bruce Highway in the Glasshouse Mountains.

Gold Coast to Australia Zoo drive

The Gold Coast to Australia Zoo drive is pretty long, but just about short enough to make the zoo a feasible day trip. Of course, the length of the drive depends on where exactly on the Gold Coast you set off from.

From Surfers Paradise to Australia Zoo, it’s a distance of 153km. That should take you about one hour and 53 minutes. From Coolangatta to Australia Zoo, expect a driving time of two hours and six minutes to cover the 179km distance.

Gold Coast to Australia Zoo transfers

If you don’t want to hire a car and make the drive yourself, there is another option. The Croc Express Bus offers transfers from the Gold Coast to Australia Zoo. There are a couple of catches to this, however.

Firstly, there is only one departure point – the Mantra on View Hotel in Surfers Paradise. Secondly, you need to be there for 06.50 if you want to catch the Australia Zoo bus. Thirdly, it goes via Brisbane CBD, adding a fair bit of extra time to the journey.

Nevertheless, you’ll get around six hours to explore the zoo.

Best day trips from the Gold Coast – 7 ways to improve your stay

The Gold Coast is a destination in its own right, but there are several excellent day trips you can do while using it as a base.

Deluxe Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
Full day Springbrook National Park tour – with waterfalls and bush tucker tasting.
Snorkelling with turtles at Cook Island.
Evening glowworm-viewing experience – with guided stargazing.
Lady Elliot Island day trip – with glass bottom boat & guided Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tour.
Hopping between microbreweries – with lunch included.
Northern Rivers fruit & distillery tour – with Tropical Fruit World and Husk Distillers.

Gold Coast to Australia Zoo bus price

The cost of this Gold Coast to Australia Zoo bus may initially seem extortionate. The Croc Express from Surfers Paradise costs $120. Ouch.

However, this is for the return journey, and does include entrance to Steve Irwin’s Zoo. Bookings can be made through Viator.

Hand-feeding a kangaroo at Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Queensland. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.

7 Gold Coast experiences worth booking in advance

See waterfalls and natural wonders – on a full day Springbrook National Park tour.
Be awed by massive migrating humpbacks – on a great value whale-watching cruise.
Feast as you explore the Gold Coast waterways – on a dinner cruise.
Kayak with dolphins and snorkel with hundred of sub-tropical fish – on the same tour.
Enjoy high speed thrills along the waterways – on a jet boat adventure.
Glide above the beautiful hinterland – on a serene hot air balloon flight.
Taste the best Scenic Rim wines – on an indulgent Tamborine Mountain wine tour, with lunch.