‘Bucket list’: Irwins reveal new luxury travel offering - with crocodiles
Staying in Australia Zoo’s new luxury Crocodile Cabins is an up-close with nature experience.
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‘I wonder if we’ll see any crocodiles?’’ I mused as we walked through the door of our two-storey Crocodile Cabin nestled nearby the sprawling grounds of Australia Zoo.
“There’s one right there,” my daughter, who had raced ahead to the cabin’s back deck, called out – and she wasn’t exaggerating.
Because when she said “right there”, she meant just below the deck, where an absolute beauty (as Steve Irwin himself might say) was sunning itself on the grass.
Now, it’s important to note that the 10 freshwater crocodiles – or “freshies” in Irwin-speak – living their best life in the natural billabong beside these cabins cannot, in any way, access said cabins.
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But what a treat to be close enough to see their eyes peeping out from just above the reeds, or moving lazily along a shallow trench that runs alongside the water’s edge.
It’s quite the view with a stunning waterfall as its tumbling backdrop. Going to sleep with the fall’s cascading waters as the soundtrack is just one of the aspects that makes staying in this cabin special, but there are plenty of others.
Part of Australia’s Zoo’s Crocodile Lodge accommodation offerings (there are 20 cabins of various configurations on site), a stay here – a short shuttle trip away from the Zoo proper – means all sorts of wildlife spotting.
From the moment you arrive to be greeted more often than not by some kangaroos casually lounging around on the grass outside, to the emus patrolling the infinity pool, the Lodge – a long-term dream of the late Steve Irwin realised by his family – is an animal lover’s paradise.
But back to our two-bedroom, two- storey cabin, which caters to lovers of luxury as well.
From the soaring floor-to-ceiling windows with a huge view of the billabong, and the gorgeous, private plunge pool on the deck, this is one of those special occasion/bucket list stays where it’s not just the crocs who are living their best life.
The front door is made from timber from the original Australia Zoo grandstands and, once inside, it’s clear the designer of these beauties had both style and mother nature in mind.
Beautiful timbers, earthy hues throughout, luxurious textiles in all the soft furnishings, grand picture windows, and soft, golden lighting, give these cabins a vibe that feels both very fancy and very laid-back, not an easy duo to pull off.
The two-bedroom cabins (there are only four on site) are very spacious, with more than enough room for a family of four, or four mates to enjoy.
The upstairs master suite boasts a king bed, walk-in robe and a stunning bathroom with twin sinks, heated flooring and a deep, stone bath for a long soak after a day of animal adventures.
The downstairs bedroom also has a king bed, which can be split into two, and its own, equally beautiful bathroom.
The kitchen has everything you might need to stay in and cook, but why would you when you have a $150 voucher to spend at the Lodge’s nearby Warrior Restaurant?
Here’s the thing about these cabins, it is not a budget stay, but with all the extras thrown in, it does represent value for money.
So what’s included? There’s unlimited, full-day entry tickets into Australia Zoo for all guests throughout your stay, and a complimentary shuttle bus service to take you there and back.
There is also a complimentary breakfast for all guests at the Lodge’s excellent Warrior restaurant, as well as that $150 dining voucher, a gift pack full of Zoo-themed goodies, and a visit to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital.
We took advantage of everything on offer, starting our day with a spot of croc spotting from our deck and a dip in the plunge pool before we took the shuttle to the Zoo itself, which just gets better and better as each year passes, then took the shuttle back to the cabin to relax and take in the view before changing for dinner at Warrior.
This is an excellent restaurant, by the way, and you don’t have to be a guest at the Lodge to dine there – in fact on the night we went, I’d say half the diners were not in-house guests. The food is really, really good, and worth the drive if you are on the Sunshine Coast.
The next day, we began our morning with a dip in the beautiful infinity pool that is nestled right beside the restaurant before our hot breakfast there, and a reluctant trip back down the Bruce Highway to our real lives.
But while we left reluctantly, we left with the feeling that the late, great Steve Irwin would be very proud of what his family has created at Crocodile Hunter Lodge – down to the three bottle trees that stand sentry outside its entry. Planted by Steve many years ago, the Irwins transplanted them to the Lodge where they now grow outside its reception, guarding its doors, guarding his legacy.
The Crocodile Hunter Lodge
88 Irwin Rd, Beerwah
Crocodile Cabins with all inclusions from $2099 a night.
For information on the lodge: thecrocodilehunterlodge.com.au
And the zoo: australiazoo.com.au
Originally published as ‘Bucket list’: Irwins reveal new luxury travel offering - with crocodiles