Crikey - what a party! Our Wildlife Warrior princess Bindi turned twelve on Saturday, July 24! It was a day that saw Australia Zoo transformed into Hollywood, with celebrity red carpet action, paparazzi, a host of activities and Terri, Bindi and Robert dressed to impress. Thousands turned out to help Bindi celebrate and got stuck into Hollywood handprints, movie star makeovers, signing Bindi's GIANT birthday card, stretch limousines and STACKS more throughout the day!

The highlights of the day were in the Crocoseum where Bindi was presented with her fabulous Hollywood birthday cake, the crowds were treated to the sight of seeing Terri, Wes and Bindi performing the croc show in their best attire and there was a chance to catch Bindi's feature film debut Free Willy: Escape from Pirate Cove on the big screen!

"We had a fantastic day," the birthday girl said. "I mean, it's not every day you get to dress up in dresses at the zoo! We're usually in khakis, so we're having a fantastic time."

To top it off - as guests left the Zoo at the end of the day they were served a yummy slice of birthday cake! Wooo-Hoo!

For exclusive Irwin content and extra photos from Bindi's Birthday why not sign up for the Australia Zoo Club?

Shows related to this zoo news:
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors
 

Australia Zoo's star travel agent, Rebecca Adams, was presented with the 'Rookie of the Year Award' at the 2010 AFTA National Travel Industry Awards for Excellence.

Rebecca was selected for the award from an excellent field of contenders including peers from WOW! Travel, Flight Centre and Harvey World Travel.

In just two short years in the travel industry, Rebecca has established herself as a family and corporate travel specialist on the Sunshine Coast working for Australia Zoo Travel.

Accepting the award, Rebecca said she was very honoured to have been selected as the best rookie travel consultant.

"Thank you Australia Zoo Travel for the opportunity to be part of this amazing industry," said Rebecca.

"I have travelled to so many beautiful places and I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to share my experiences and knowledge with other passionate travellers from around the word".

If you are planning your next adventure, contact Rebecca and the team at Australia Zoo travel.

Congratulations Rebecca!

In the wild, tigers love to patrol their territories. Guided by their great sense of smell, they explore Asia's dense forests and endless waterways. Back at the Zoo, our nine tigers are offered a very similar experience.

Hidden behind the scenes - beyond the animal enclosures and exhibits at Australia Zoo - are many acres of undeveloped bushland; areas earmarked for future enclosures and Zoo expansions.

While these areas remain un-developed they provide the perfect place for our tigers to explore, graze and enjoy as their own - just as they would in the wild.

Australia Zoo's tiger handlers take our Bengal and Sumatran Tigers for walks everyday - individually, in pairs or with lucky Zoo guests. While exploring their territory, the tigers can go for a swim in one of the dams, observe other animals and look over large portions of the Zoo; taking in all the visual stimulants that pass them by.

As well as providing an excellent source of enrichment, exploring the bushland is a favourite pastime for our nine beautiful cats. They love it!

You can take a walk on the wild side with one of gorgeous tigers as they patrol their territory around the Zoo. Book a Tiger Walk now!

Animal related to this Zoo News:
Bengal Tiger

Shows related to this zoo news:
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors
 

Sharing his dad's passion for marine life, Robert Irwin ‘called' the whales on the Sunshine Coast on Monday July 12, in celebration of the 2010 whale watching season onboard Steve's Whale One.

Just as Bindi's character, Kirra, did in her film Free Willy: Escape from Pirate's Cove, Robert blew a horn to call the whales, alerting whale watchers that there are whales nearby. Calling the whales has become a South African tradition, and is done to communicate to whale watchers and let them know where they can see whales along the coast.

The Sunshine Coast whale watching season has begun in spectacular style, with guests on board Steve's Whale One treated to an amazing display of acrobatics by mating Humpback Whales over the weekend.

Skipper of Steve's Whale One, Shane Matterson, said that it was great to see so many whales being so active at the beginning of the season.

"Our crew and guests onboard have had a couple of brilliant days out on the open ocean, with breaches and plenty of activity so close to the boat," said Shane.

"We've seen some spectacular breaches and plenty of fin-slapping, which is great to watch.

"We see both males and females breaching for a number of reasons, but when it comes to mating rituals breaches can occur to try to impress each other or intimidate their competition.

"Fin-slapping is also very entertaining, and is a form of communication, but also used to cool the whales down."

With Humpback Whales frolicking off the Sunshine Coast already, it is the perfect time to jump aboard Steve's Whale One to check them out.

"We've had consistent numbers reported down south, and with the whales streaming past the Sunshine Coast, we're expecting some great pods of whales and plenty of activity over the coming weeks," said Shane.

Book your spot now to get up close to the whales onboard Steve's Whale One. Bookings are essential and can be made by calling 1300 CRIKEY or online.

And remember - Whales Rule!

Book Whale Watching Tickets Online

Our very own movie star, Bindi Irwin, is turning 12 on July 24 and to celebrate, Australia Zoo is hosting a star studded affair with celebrity fun and a special preview of FAME the musical!

The Zoo will transform into Hollywood on the Sunshine Coast with red carpet action, paparazzi and if you keep a keen eye out, you may even spot a celebrity.

Join Bindi and her friends as we make a splash with the premiere screening of Free Willy - Escape from Pirate's Cove in Australia Zoo's very own world-famous, Crocoseum.

For all the 'stars in the making' - we're offering free Hollywood make-over, a chance to star in your own pirate action scene, and stacks of prizes.

Dress to impress to this black tie affair; Robert can't wait to wear his best khaki and you should see Bindi's frock - it's a beauty!

The red carpet will be rolled out at the extra early time of 8am and ALL KIDS GET IN FREE*!

Find out what's happening on Bindi's Birthday

Check out Bindi's Birthday Australia Zoo Travel Deal

From tracking Saltwater Crocodiles in far north Queensland to swimming beside Humpback Whales in Antarctica - Steve journeyed to all corners of the earth to fight for conservation - wildlife and wild places.

Through his adventures, Steve inspired the world to share his passion for nature by showcasing its unparalleled beauty.

How did Steve inspire you to share his passion?

Conservationists from all over the world are invited to submit their Steve inspired snaps themed - 'How did Steve inspire you to share his passion?'. You don't have to be a pro. You just have to share Steve's passion.

Win a Digital Camera!

The winner takes home a FujiFilm FinePix Z70 Digital Camera and a bonanza Australia Zoo prize pack. Wooo-hoo!

And all entries get 20% off Zoo entry and online shop.

How to enter

Check out Steve Irwin Day Photo Competition 2010

Competition closes August 13, 2010.

Shows related to this zoo news:
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors
 

Excitement is in the air at Australia Zoo's cheetah quarters as celebrations begin for Cheetah Week.

With four worthy ambassadors - Foxy, Cleo, Echo and Sheeba - drawing crowds wherever they go, the cheetah team are on a mission to raise awareness about cheetah conservation during school holidays at the Zoo.

They are the fastest land animal in the world - but the cheetah is fast running out of time. With less than 10,000 left in the wild, cheetahs are critically endangered due to loss of habitat and cheetah-human conflict. Conflict occurs when cheetahs are wrongly blamed for livestock losses and subsequently killed by angry farmers.

In 2009, Australia Zoo contributed $30 000 towards cheetah conservation; providing vital funds to support the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust and Cheetah Outreach in South Africa.

Our goal in 2010 is to contribute $40 000 towards cheetah conservation. We need your help.

Cheetah Week is the prefect time to make a difference and help save cheetahs in the wild. Come along to Australia Zoo to join in the celebrations and meet our magnificent cheetahs and learn about their plight in the wild. All funds raised during the cheetah celebrations will go directly to cheetah conservation.

Everyday during the school holidays, the cheetah team will be showing-off their beautiful cats and chatting to guests about the plight of the cheetah.

We hope to ‘spot' you there!

Cheetah Week celebrations - check out the action!

Be part of the non-stop wildlife action at Australia Zoo with a value-packed Annual Membership. Enjoy 364 days entry PLUS exclusive access to over $1000 worth of Ripper Rewards!

Ripper Rewards is the newest addition to our Annual Membership package. Australia Zoo Annual Members will receive a Ripper Rewards voucher book jam-packed with monthly offers including half-price animal encounters, discounts on merchandise, zoo tours and stacks more.

And the best part about it - you can take advantage of each month's offer as many times as you'd like. The benefits are endless!

Become an Annual Member today to take advantage of the Ripper Rewards savings and experience all the action and adventure Australia Zoo has to offer.

Become an Annual Member now! -  for the price of just two-and-a-half visits to the Zoo!

Animal Adoption has never been so rewarding. Australia Zoo is offering the first 100 animal adopters a free day at the Zoo on July 11, plus an exclusive meet and greet with Terri and Bindi!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be cousins with a cheetah, brother to a Binturong, sister to Fierce Snake or related to a rhino? Adopt an animal today and make your favourite animal a part of the family!

Australia Zoo's Adopt an Animal program is the perfect way to make a difference to wildlife and conservation around the world.

Caring for over 1000 drop-dead gorgeous animals is a massive round-the-clock job. Australia Zoo receives no government funding so your adoption will play a vital role in our ongoing fight for wildlife through our international conservation projects.

Here at the Zoo, your adoption assists with our breeding programs, state of the art wildlife exhibits vital rehabilitation programs, veterinary requirements and general animal husbandry needs.

What are you waiting for? Check-out our Amazing Animals and adopt one today!

Australia Zoo's four gorgeous Cheetahs are set to step into the 'spot'-light during the upcoming Cheetah Week celebrations in an effort to save Cheetahs in the wild.

Throughout the school holiday period, Australia Zoo will celebrate the world's fastest mammal while educating visitors about this amazing species and the conservation efforts being made to protect them.

Visitors to Australia Zoo throughout Cheetah Week celebrations will get the chance to see our Cheetahs, hear from our keepers during special presentations, plus have the opportunity to gets hands-on with our Cheetahs through Cheeky Cheetah Walks.

Our dedicated Cheetah Team is excited about showcasing these amazing animals throughout the week.

The team has been working with our Cheetahs, Cleo, Foxtrot, Echo and Sheeba to further develop their skills, behaviours and ability to interact with humans, in preparation for their on-display enclosure and world-class Cheetah run facility.

Australia Zoo is planning a new on-display Cheetah facility, which will allow our Cheetahs to be displayed throughout the day for our guests. The facility will include a lure coursing system to give our Cheetahs the opportunity to reach their full running potential; speeds greater than 100km/hr.

Australia Zoo has also teamed up with Kumuka Worldwide to offer visitors the chance to WIN a 21-day Overland Tour of Africa, and the opportunity to see Cheetah in the wild! All you have to do to enter is book a Cheeky Cheetah Walk at Australia Zoo between 26 June and 11 July to go into the draw.

Proceeds raised throughout the Cheetah Week celebrations and from Cheetah encounters go directly to Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors to assist with Cheetah conservation programs in South Africa.

Australia Zoo will also be auctioning off a special meet and greet with Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin, followed by a Cheetah Walk with our keepers! This special Cheetah-themed silent auction will take place on Saturday 26 June, with proceeds raised going to Cheetah conservation. Other unique wildlife encounters with Terri, Bindi and Robert will be auctioned off daily from 27 June until 10 July, with funds raised through these encounters going to research on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve.

Book a Cheeky Cheetah Walk now!

Check-out Australia Zoo's Cheetah Conservation Projects

School Holidays at Australia Zoo!