Animal Hospital Encounters

If you think Outback Wildlife Rescue makes good TV, you’ll love a unique behind-the-scenes look inside the new Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors - Australian Wildlife Hospital located next to Australia Zoo at Beerwah near Caloundra on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. The Hospital team features in the Seven Network series.

This $5 million facility, that features the latest in environmentally friendly design, has guided tours four times a day. Tours allow visitors to see operations, specialist medical treatment, rehabilitation, and animal nursery areas first hand.

The hospital, the largest of its kind in the world, is the major project of Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Worldwide, the conservation charity founded by Steve and Terri Irwin.

It treats a variety of animals that undergo everything from emergency procedures to long-term treatments for disease. The hospital is equipped to handle it all from the most intricate and technologically advanced surgery to health check monitoring of wildlife that has been released after treatment or being orphaned.

See how the animal doctors care for koalas and other marsupials, birds, reptiles and even marine animals brought in by volunteers, carers and the general public after accidents and misadventures. Australia Zoo also provides a wildlife rescue service and it is not just animals from the local area that come to the hospital. Koalas from as far away as northern New South Wales are brought in for treatment.

A separate part of the hospital is the vet centre for the animals at Australia Zoo and anyone who can fit through the doors will be seen for health checks and treatment.

The tours are interesting and informative for Australians and international visitors alike. Some of the animal stories will touch your heart and others will make you happy but there is no doubt that at the tour’s end everyone will know and understand more about Australian wildlife than they did before.

Tours run:

There are seven 30 minute tours and one 1 hour tour everyday - the 1 hour tour starts at 12noon daily. 30 minute tour times are below:

• 9.30am - 10.00am
• 10.30am - 11.00am
• 11.30am - 12.00pm
• 1.30pm - 2.00pm
• 2.30pm - 3.00pm
• 3.30pm - 4.00pm
• 4.30pm - 5.00pm

Costs vary depending on whether participants are also visiting Australia Zoo.  

In conjunction with admission to Australia Zoo on the same day, a 1 hour tour costs:

• Adults - $35
• Children - $20
• Family of 4 or 5 - $95

30 minute tours cost:

• Adults - $20
• Children - $10
• Family of 4 - $55
• Family of 5 - $60

Tours of the Wildlife Hospital only:

• Adults - $50
• Children - $35
• Family of 4 - $150

More information

• Australian Wildlife Hospital located next to Australia Zoo at Beerwah near Caloundra on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast
• For further information visit www.wildlifewarriors.org.au
• It’s all within your reach at Caloundra with great deals on accommodation