The Crocodile Hunter Lodge

Time Out

9 hours ago

I've stayed at countless luxury hotels and adults-only retreats across Australia, but this might just be my new favourite. I had high hopes for The Crocodile Hunter Lodge – Australia Zoo 's luxe accommodation offering tucked in native bushland on Queensland's stunning Sunshine Coast. It's won countless awards, including World's Best Nature Hotel 2024 and Best Boutique Lodge in Oceania 2025 – and after a quick one-night stay, I can confirm it exceeded all expectations.
Inspired by Steve Irwin's life, legacy and love of the wild, The Crocodile Hunter Lodge is the ultimate tribute to the 'Crocodile Hunter' himself. Terri, Bondi and Robert opened this remote wilderness retreat in his honour in 2022, unveiling four new double-storey cabins late last year.
The Lodge isn't just a haven for humans, but a vital sanctuary for both beloved Aussie animals and critically endangered plant species. Its conservation efforts earn serious bonus points, as do unlimited entry to Australia Zoo, a heated infinity pool, and the award-winning Warrior Restaurant and Bar, where guests are treated to complimentary breakfast each day. Trust me, this is the wild side of luxury at its very best.
Why stay at The Crocodile Hunter Lodge?
Tucked away in native bushland between Queensland's breathtaking Glass House Mountains and the Sunshine Coast's stunning beaches, this wilderness hideaway strikes the perfect balance of nature and nurture.
An icon in its own right, The Crocodile Hunter Lodge pays tribute to the late Steve Irwin, whose passion for wildlife conservation captured the hearts of Australians. The Irwins' commitment to continuing his legacy is evident in the surrounding bushland, home to endemic Aussie species like koalas, emus and echidnas. On arrival, I was first welcomed by a mob of red kangaroos, then by a pair of diamond pythons in the lobby – and that was just the start of countless animal encounters during my stay.
Native trees have been planted across the Lodge's expansive grounds, creating natural wildlife corridors for its cuddly and feathered friends. This includes the critically endangered Coochin Hills grevillea, Glass House Mountains tea tree, and three Queensland bottle trees originally planted by Steve himself. Dotted amongst them are chic, rustic cabins perfect for families and couples, with accessible rooms too. In 2024, four new double-storey cabins were unveiled, boasting exclusive views of a state-of-the-art freshwater crocodile habitat – so you can reconnect with nature and face your fears at the same time.
Staying here is a splurge, but worth every cent – all guests score unlimited entry to Australia Zoo with complimentary transport, a sneak peek inside the Wildlife Hospital, daily breakfast at Warrior Restaurant and exclusive access to the heated 25-metre infinity pool. What more could you want?
What are the rooms like at The Crocodile Hunter Lodge?
The Crocodile Hunter Lodge offers one- to three-bedroom cabins, fitted with king beds, stone bathtubs, modern kitchens and breezy verandahs overlooking the native bushland. We were lucky to stay in one of the brand-new, two-storey Crocodile Cabins, and it was an absolute treat. True to their name, these secluded cabins overlook a natural lagoon that's home to ten freshwater crocodiles and endangered Mary River turtles. Soaking in the views from my private heated plunge pool on the downstairs deck was pretty surreal, and falling asleep to the trickle of the four-metre waterfall from the master bedroom upstairs was pure bliss.
The master bedroom takes up the entire top floor, as it should! There's plenty of room to roll out a yoga mat, curl up with a book or sink into the deep ensuite bath. The walk-in-wardrobe saved me floor space, and I adored the heartfelt touch of the hand-crafted timber luggage racks made from the original crocodile grandstands Steve built at Australia Zoo many years ago. To top off the luxury, the bathroom floors are heated and stocked with vegan body products from Hunter — a perfectly fitting match, don't you think?
Downstairs, a second spacious bedroom is fabulous for families, featuring one king bed that easily splits into singles. If I'd stayed longer, I would've made better use of the fully equipped kitchen and stylish lounge. I did, however, get to admire the vibrant statement artwork in the dining room by award-winning Aboriginal lifestyle brand Miimi and Jiinda, alongside photographs by Robert Irwin in the lounge room. The Crocodile Cabins earn bonus points for having a private carport with an electric vehicle charger.
What are the best restaurants at The Crocodile Hunter Lodge?
Housed in the same building as reception, Warrior Restaurant and Bar is open daily from 7am to 9pm to both guests and the public. The elegant dining room overlooks the Lodge's gorgeous infinity pool, where I spotted koalas and an emu roaming at breakfast. While Warrior celebrates local and native ingredients, the menu isn't strictly Australian. Dishes, like slow-braised beef rendang, pay homage to meals Steve loved cooking, while others feature ingredients grown onsite. Chillies for the curries are harvested in Australia Zoo's Elephantasia, honey is sourced from native bee hives in the backyard, and bush tucker is grown on the grounds. Menu highlights include fresh local sourdough with native salted butter, Queensland tiger prawns with native pepperberry aioli, and a 200-gram eye fillet with red gum smoked salt and warrigal greens.
As for drinks, Warrior offers all-Australian beers, wines and spirits, including those from local breweries on the Sunshine Coast. The house cocktails are a playful nod to Australia Zoo's resident crocodiles rescued by Steve. Take the Bosco, a twist on the Espresso Martini with toasted marshmallow syrup and maple-smoked wood, served under a smoky dome and garnished with charred marshmallows.
I appreciated that breakfast is complimentary for all guests, featuring everything from Terri's carrot cake waffles with native honey and whipped cream cheese, to savoury oat waffles layered with bacon, fried egg, tomato relish, avocado and homegrown warrigal greens. Caffeine comes from Montville Coffee, which is roasted 20 minutes away and delivered to Warrior within 36 hours for ultimate freshness. You can also order freshly squeezed custom juices, with the leftover fruit pulp repurposed into ice blocks for the Zoo's elephants.
What is the service like at The Crocodile Hunter Lodge?
Given its impressive resume of awards, I wasn't surprised by how friendly and attentive the staff here were. Our cabin was immaculately clean, and the staff go above and beyond to take care of your every need – whether shuttling you to and from the zoo or delivering you breakfast in bed.
What is the pool like at The Crocodile Hunter Lodge?
The absolute highlight of my stay was going for a morning swim in The Billabong, the Lodge's 25-metre heated infinity pool overlooking the lush garden. From the edge, I admired a mob of kangaroos nibbling on native grass and laughed as an emu did laps on land beside me.
There are plenty of plush white lounge chairs near the pool to soak up some vitamin D, and you can order poolside snacks and cocktails from the bar just behind.
What's the area like around The Crocodile Hunter Lodge?
The Crocodile Hunter Lodge sits just 500 metres south of Australia Zoo in Beerwah on Queensland's stunning Sunshine Coast. Tucked into the bush, it's surrounded by natural beauty – a short drive to the breathtaking Glass House Mountains and the peaceful beaches of Caloundra and Mooloolaba.
The Crocodile Hunter Lodge is easy to reach, located just a one-hour drive north of Brisbane or a 30-minute drive from Sunshine Coast Airport. If you need to stock up on supplies, the nearest town, Landsborough, is a ten-minute drive away.
Address: 88 Irwin Rd, Beerwah, QLD, 4519