Bed down with freshies at Australia Zoo's luxe Crocodile Cabins

The newest digs at Australia Zoo’s Crocodile Hunter Lodge blend five-star fixtures with freshwater fauna for one of the country’s most spectacular overnight stays.

A watercoloured haze of sunrise pink pulls me to the outdoor deck where my bleary eyes focus on the invasion at my feet. One. Two. Three, four. Five… no way. Six? Yes way. Six crocodiles float motionless in a lagoon on the other side of the glass wall I’m pressed against. The sight is so overwhelmingly unexpected and spine-tingling that I audibly squeak. I swear the chunkiest one eyeballs me.

Freshwater crocodiles at the Crocodile Cabins — Share your stay with the resident crocodiles. (Image: Australia Zoo)

I’ve woken up inside one of just four Crocodile Cabins, The Crocodile Hunter Lodge’s newest two-storey, two-bedroom stays right off Australia Zoo in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. It’s a morning view you will not find elsewhere on earth and to be dressed in a fluffy white robe and custom-branded slippers, as a heated private plunge pool dazzles beside me, is surreal. This is five-star luxury with 24/7 live entertainment in the middle of birdsong-freckled Australian bushland and it’s only 6:20 in the morning. Crikey doesn’t begin to describe the exhilaration right now.

View of the deck of the Crocodile Cabins at Australia Zoo — The lagoon is home to 10 crocodiles. (Image: Australia Zoo)

Location

Aerial view of Australia Zoo featuring the Glasshouse Mountains — The Glasshouse Mountains are the backdrop of Australia Zoo. (Image: Australia Zoo)

Found in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, The Crocodile Hunter Lodge’s Crocodile Cabins are immersed in pristine bushland. The sublime Glass House Mountains are less than 10 minutes’ drive from the lodge and their famed abrupt, narrow volcanic peaks are seen along your journey via Steve Irwin Way. A two-minute drive around the corner from Australia Zoo on Steve Irwin Way, the Crocodile Cabins are adjacent to a natural freshwater pond that houses 10 crocodiles. The pond is also home to an exceptionally brave raft of ducks and endangered Mary River turtles. In cabin number 18, where I’m staying with my husband and two children, the second floor offers glimpses of a mountainous landscape that instils deep serenity.

Style and character

Exterior of the Crocodile Cabins at Australia Zoo with kangaroos grazing — The luxe new Crocodile Cabins were designed to reflect a luxury woolshed aesthetic. (Image: Australia Zoo)

The Crocodile Hunter Lodge connects to its unblemished surrounds via raw materials including recycled timber, black steel, soft LED lighting that glows sunset-caramel and rammed earth walls. The designers were going for “luxury woolshed" so while the main building, original Red Kangaroo, Emu and Black Cockatoo cabins, and brand-new Crocodile Cabins ooze sophistication, nothing looks out of place.

It wholly embraces the wildlife that originally inhabited the land, as two Diamond pythons are enclosed within the main reception area and Cunningham skinks and a bearded dragon greet you right out front. Kangaroos chill, koalas snooze, bush turkeys lurk and lorikeets, finches and ducks glide throughout the entire property.

Facilities and services

The 25-metre heated Billabong infinity pool at the Crocodile Hunter's Lodge — Take a dip in the croc-free heated Billabong pool. (Image: Australia Zoo)

The star of the show is The Billabong, a 25-metre heated infinity pool set against a grassy lawn dotted with red kangaroos, koalas and a hot-lapping emu. Speaking of which, at 5pm daily, a zookeeper pops around to answer guest questions about The Crocodile Hunter Lodge’s resident wildlife — an experience I seize to wrap my head around why that emu won’t stop pacing. The answer? He’s on heat and looking for a mate. Makes sense, the poor fella.

Emu at Australia Zoo — The local zookeeper visits each afternoon to answer any wildlife-related questions. (Image: Australia Zoo)

Additionally, there’s a washing machine and yoga mat in each of the Crocodile Cabins, a gift shop near the hotel’s reception, 24-hour concierge, fast wi-fi, the on-site Warrior Restaurant and Bar (more on that below), and a minivan service that takes guests to Australia Zoo and back between 8:30am and 5pm daily.

The cabin

Interior lounge and deck area of Crocodile Cabins at Australia Zoo — The light-filled interior is a welcoming sight. (Image: Australia Zoo)

While it’s luxe all the way, this is Irwin country — wildlife fascination, and khaki, is unavoidable. That said, I enter the Crocodile Cabin, and it feels like an auction winner on The Block. A soaring eight-metre ceiling opens the living room into another stratosphere while large glass panels stream natural light and shimmer off that heavenly plunge pool. A huge, fully equipped kitchen with white cabinetry and sleek black handles is the stuff of Pinterest dreams while a Fisher & Paykel stovetop and dishwasher, Bosch in-built fridge, and Tefal pots and pans refine holiday cooking. A contemporary timber dining table by Sydney’s Kave Home brings modern farmhouse vibes while a Samsung Smart TV powers down into a photograph of the Glass House Mountains, taken by Robert Irwin, to dial up the tech. It’s big, bold and beautiful.

The bedrooms give views of the lagoon at Crocodile Cabins — The upstairs bedrooms deliver sweeping views of the croc-filled lagoon below. (Image: Australia Zoo)

What of those neighbouring crocs? Slithering between pond and lagoon, sunbaking on small patches of grass and even adults-only “snuggling" (particularly in the evenings when action gets hilariously loud) offer round-the-clock viewing. It’s not just my children racing out in their pyjamas the following morning to see what they’re up to. These reptiles are totally enthralling, fascinatingly prehistoric and especially endearing given their group size. You’ll count all 10 during an overnight stay with the babies of the bask proving adorable — a word I never previously associated with crocodiles. But here, I’m in love.

Equally charming are the cabin’s personality pops that pay tribute to Australia’s first family. From animated caricatures of the late, great Steve Irwin, his wife Terri, their son Robert and daughter Bindi, to animal facts shared via the deck’s walls and a door mat emblazoned with ‘Crikey!’, the Irwins share intimate pieces of themselves. Even the toilet paper and paper towels are khaki in colour, sparking their trademark joy unexpectedly.

Dining room at the Crocodile Cabins in Australia Zoo — Indigenous artwork adorns the walls of the dining area. (Image: Australia Zoo)

Nature-inspired wallpaper lights up each bedroom while a large Indigenous artwork is mesmerising in the dining room. Indigenous prints are also spotted across cushions, subtly energising the open-plan living and dining. The Crocodile Cabins are considered, authentic odes to their surroundings — and I struggle to compare their warmth to anywhere else I’ve ever stayed.

Food and drink

Fresh produce from the garden at Warrior Restaurant and Bar — The spotlight is firmly on the fresh local produce at Warrior Restaurant and Bar. (Image: Australia Zoo)

Warrior Restaurant and Bar is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, located within walking distance to the Crocodile Cabins (don’t miss the ‘Native Food Hill’ just right of the dirt road near the small staff-only zone — an edible garden of vegies and herbs that fuel the kitchen). You can sit inside to watch its open-plan kitchen or outside on the patio overlooking those roos. My family and I are officially wildlife warriors after checking into the Crocodile Cabins so heading outside for another chance to admire the animals is a no-brainer.

Breakfast options at Warrior Restaurant and Bar — Breakfast is included for hotel guests. (Image: Australia Zoo)

As a hotel guest, one dish off the breakfast menu and two drinks are included, plus your group scores a complimentary fruit platter. Warrior has earned itself a solid reputation on the Sunshine Coast for elegantly showcasing the region’s nutrient-dense produce, and these skills are on full display even at 7:30am. Locally sourced sourdough is topped with earthy, nutty Rocky Creek mushrooms from nearby Kiamba, Little White goat cheese from nearby Wamuran, and free-range eggs to craft the ‘Sunny Coast Toast’. Meanwhile, my children fill their fists with apple and cinnamon pancakes, house-made apple jam and vanilla ice cream before they’re licking their plates clean. They also beg me for the adorable croc-shaped chocolate that appears on the teaspoon by my latte, but I pretend I can’t hear them and drop it into my creamy caffeine hit without a glimmer of guilt.

In the afternoon, cocktails by the Warrior team turn infinity pool frolicking into the happiest of hours. My husband’s espresso martini, safely served in a plastic glass, is so nice he orders it twice while I request extra heat in my second chilli margarita. Two chunky slices of fresh chilli from the garden, seeds intact, are promptly introduced. It does the trick and I’m back to koala spotting in style.

Dinner at Warrior Restaurant and Bar — The well-rounded menu at Warrior Restaurant and Bar will keep the whole family satisfied. (Image: Australia Zoo)

Dinner at Warrior brings a mixed bag of families, couples and large groups, clearly attracting non-hotel guests in the evening. My slow-braised beef Rendang curry, paired with cardamom rice and finished with toasted coconut, peanuts, fried rice noodles and pickled cucumber, melts in the mouth. The kids smash their mini-Wagyu burgers and thick-cut chips before moving onto the colouring-in activities our waiter places in front of them.

If leaving your Crocodile Cabin proves too tempting, it’s worth noting that Warrior’s entire menu can be ordered to your room between 7am and 9pm. In-room dining also extends to an ‘Afternoon Snacks’ menu which includes a beautiful ‘Woombye Cheese Plate’ of four locally produced cheeses (Woombye Cheese Company is famed throughout Queensland, particularly their award-winning washed rind). An antipasto platter, sliders and chips are also available between 3pm and 5pm.

Do the Crocodile Hunter Lodge’s Crocodile Cabins provide access for guests with disabilities?

While the Crocodile Hunter Lodge offers two specific accommodation options for guests with access needs, the Crocodile Cabins are not designed to be accessible. The upstairs level is only reachable via a staircase. Facility-wise, however, the infinity pool is fitted with a pool hoist, wide deck area, wide access ramp, a spacious and fully equipped bathroom (with a shower and shower seat) and accessible car parking right in front of the adjacent main building.

Warrior Restaurant and Bar also has its own accessible bathrooms, plus it’s located on the ground level, while the minivan shuttle to Australia Zoo is also wheelchair accessible.

Are the Crocodile Hunter Lodge’s Crocodile Cabins family-friendly?

The deck at Crocodile Cabins Australia Zoo — The two-storey cabins are made for families. (Image: Australia Zoo)

Yes, from every angle. While the cabins are styled without super-fragile furnishings or itty-bitty choking hazards, family-friendly amenities can also be arranged. High chairs and portacots are on the list, as are incredibly thoughtful items for babies like nappy bins and bottle sanitisers.

Additionally, a ‘Treat yourself!’ mini bar-style set up in the kitchen includes purchasable items like a plush toy, ‘Snap’ card game, reusable colouring mat and puzzle. My personal cherry on top? A few days prior to check-in, I received an email from the reservations team to confirm my preferred bed configuration in both bedrooms — single beds or Kings, the choice was mine. How impressive.

Are the Crocodile Hunter Lodge’s Crocodile Cabins pet-friendly?

Sadly, the only four-legged creatures invited to sleep over are the crocs and their fellow resident critters. The team explain that domestic pets like dogs and cats may pose hygiene and safety issues for the accommodation’s native animals, but registered service and guide dogs are all good if you get in touch before you arrive.

Do the Crocodile Hunter Lodge’s Crocodile Cabins serve as wedding accommodation?

You’re more than welcome to book all four cabins if they’re available, but there’s no wedding accommodation package as such. The Crocodile Hunter Lodge does offer wedding ceremony packages (up to 30 guests) that incorporate the on-site Ironbark Paddock events space, plus there are wedding reception packages within Warrior Restaurant and Bar for up to 30 guests.

Details

Best for: Families looking to elevate a zoo visit and, of course, animal lovers.

Address: 88 Irwin Rd, Beerwah, QLD

Getting there: The Crocodile Hunter Lodge is a two-minute drive from Australia Zoo, which is a one-hour drive north of Brisbane. The nearest airport is Sunshine Coast Airport, which is a 30-minute drive from the accommodation. Direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra and Cairns run regularly.

Tex the Koala at Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital — A stay at the Crocodile Cabins also gets you zoo access and a ‘Sneak Peek’ entry to Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. (Image: Australia Zoo)

Price: From $2,099 per night for up to four guests. This includes daily breakfast at Warrior Restaurant and Bar for each guest, a $150 dining voucher for Warrior Restaurant and Bar, daily Australia Zoo entry for each guest, ‘Sneak Peek’ entry to Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital for each guest, a welcome gift and regular minivan shuttle service to Australia Zoo.

Check-in process: Pick up your key from reception — a short walk or a minute’s drive from the cabins — any time from 2pm. There’s one undercover car space, plus a driveway at each cabin to conveniently house an additional car.

Under wide-open outback skies, discover a fossicking gem that’s managed to slip under the radar.

While the name Clermont may feel new to even the most intrepid traveller, its gilded history stretches back centuries. You’ll find it just off the highway, humming quietly under the hazy veil of Queensland’s outback sun. It’s here, hemmed in by mountains and perched atop soil heavy with the earth’s treasures, that one of Australia’s most accessible outback adventures awaits.

Thanks to deposits of gold, copper and gemstones – souvenirs left by exploding supernovas and the heave of tectonic plates – Clermont became a centre point of Queensland’s Gold Rush. And now? Australia’s fossicking capital is yours to discover.

Getting there

car driving along Capricorn Way in queensland — Take a drive through Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. (Image: Sean Scott/ TEQ)

You’ll find Clermont in Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. To get here, it’s an easy three-hour drive over sealed roads from Mackay. Or, if you’re heading from the Sapphire Fields of Emerald, the drive will carve out just over an hour from your day.

Whether you’re road-tripping through outback Queensland or just tracing your way through all that Australia has to offer, Clermont is remote but easily accessible.

Best accommodation in Clermont

Theresa CreekDam in clermont — Camp by Theresa Creek Dam. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

All accommodation comes with a generous helping of country hospitality here. The choice is yours between modern hotels, parking up the camper or pitching a tent.

Theresa Creek Dam lies just outside town. Begin each day with crisp country air and bright outback sunrises. Spend the night under the sparkling country stars and your days out on the dam fishing or kayaking. Even if you aren’t camping, be sure to save space in your itinerary for an afternoon on the red dirt shore.

To stay closer to town, opt for a central hotel to base yourself between exploring and fossicking, like Smart Stayzzz Inn and Clermont Country Motor Inn .

Things to do in Clermont

three people on a tour with Golden Prospecting — Join a tour with Golden Prospecting.

One does not visit Clermont without trying their hand at fossicking. There are strict rules when it comes to fossicking, so stick to areas dedicated for general permission and make sure you obtain your license beforehand. Try your luck at McMasters , Four Mile , Town Desert, McDonald Flat and Flat Diggings . To increase your odds, sign on for a tour with the expert team at Golden Prospecting . They’ll give you access to exclusive plots and expert advice along the way.

Once you’ve tried your luck on the gold fields, head to the Clermont Township and Historical Museum . Each exhibit works like an archaeologist’s brush to dust away the layers of Clermont’s history. Like the steam engine that painstakingly relocated the entire town inch by inch to higher ground after it was decimated by flooding in 1916. See the tools that helped build the Blair Athol mine, historic fire engines, shearing sheds and all sorts of relics that make up Clermont’s story.

The historic Copperfield Chimney offers a change of pace. Legend has it that fossickers found a solid wall of copper here, over three metres high, kick-starting Queensland’s first-ever copper mine.

Bush Heli Services flying over clermont queensland — See Clermont from above with Bush Heli Services. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

For hiking, nearby Dysart is the best place to access Peak Range National Park. Here, mountainous horizons stretch across the outback as if plucked from another world. Set off for a scenic drive along the Peak Downs Highway for access to countless geological wonders. Like the slanting rockface of Wolfang Peak. Summit it, and you’ll find yourself looking out across a scene surely conjured up by Banjo Paterson. Dry scrub dancing in the warm breeze, grazing cattle, eucalypts and the gentle creak of windmills. Don’t miss visiting Gemini Peaks, either, for one of the park’s best vistas, and a blanket of wild flowers after rain.

Then, take to the skies with a scenic helicopter tour with Bush Heli-Services . Shift your perspective and cruise above all the sights from your trip. Spots like Lords Table Mountain and Campbell’s Peak are best viewed from the skies.

Before you head home, be sure to explore the neighbouring townships. Spend a lazy afternoon in the shade of Nebo Hotel’s wrap-around verandahs . The hotel’s 1900s dance hall has since been replaced with one of the area’s biggest rodeo arenas, so consider timing your trip to line up with a boot scootin’ rodeo. Or, stop by a ghost town. Mount Britton was once a thriving town during the 1880s Gold Rush. It’s been totally abandoned and now lies untouched, a perfect relic of the Gold Rush.

Best restaurants and cafes in Clermont

meal at Commercial Hotel — Stop into the Commercial Hotel Clermont.

Days spent fossicking, bushwalking and cramming on history call for excellent coffee and hearty country meals. Luckily, Clermont delivers in spades.

Lotta Lattes Cafe is beloved by locals for a reason. Start your days here for the best caffeine fix in town and an impeccable brunch menu.

For a real country meal, an icy cold beer and that famed country hospitality, head straight to the town’s iconic hotel: the Commercial Hotel (known endearingly to locals as ‘The Commie’). It’s been a staple in Clermont since 1877. The hotel even survived the flood of 1916 when it was sawn in two and moved to higher ground.

Naturally, time spent in the outback must include calling into the local bakery. For delicious pies and a tantalising array of sweet treats, make Bluemac Bakehouse your go-to while in town.

Discover more of The Mackay Isaac region, and start planning your trip at mackayisaac.com.

The luxurious Australia Zoo cabins you’ll share with freshwater crocs