Australia Zoo, Beerwah

The zoo made famous by Steve Irwin, the 'Crocodile Hunter', and still run by the Irwin family. It's huge and well run, with large enclosures for Australian animals, plus tigers, rhinos, giraffes and red pandas. The highlight is the Wildlife Warriors show in the Crocoseum at midday, with crocodile feeding and free-flying birds.

You can hand-feed kangaroos, meet koalas, and visit the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital next door, which treats thousands of injured animals each year. Allow a full day: there's a lot of walking, but a free shuttle runs around the grounds. Bring a picnic, as the food is pricey.

The zoo runs a free courtesy bus from Beerwah railway station, on the Sunshine Coast line from Brisbane. By car, take the Glass House Mountains exit off the Bruce Highway and follow the tourist drive; the zoo is about 3 km past Beerwah.