We were just at the Australia Zoo two weeks ago and came away impressed. Yeah, the guy is a relentless promoter (a whole STORE with Steve, Terri, and Bindi gear) but the Zoo was much better than I thought it would be. Lots of "shows" and activites all day long. Employees are all very helpful. I was expecting much less.
You don't have to worry about driving there to find the place either. We were staying up in Noosa (about 45-60 minutes north) and they send a big bus up there every day to pick you up at no charge. Of course you do have to watch Steve's antics on TV on the bus the whole way but all in all it's very well done. They may even bus people from Brisbane but I'd also highly recommend the Sunshine Coast.
And he does still come by, he had done the show the day before we were there.

Australia zoo is constantly expanding. If the last time you were there was prior to January 2004 you won't recognise the place.

I've been there twice. One of those times steve irwin was there and did a show. He doesn't announce when he's going to be there. He merely shows up. He is there a lot more often than you'd probably think. I'd say you have somewhere in the vicinity of a 1 in 3 chance of him being there on the day.

Also worth noting, in australia, celebs are not treated like gods. They're just ordinary people who do all the things ordinary people do.

Steve and his wife do all their own shopping etc. If you visit beerwah town(where they live) you just might see them on the street.

Taronga zoo is a bunch of animals in cages. Nothing like Australia zoo. At australia zoo you get to see the animals in their natural habitat.

Also, some of the animals you see are native to the area and aren't even part of the zoo. Don't be surprised to see a bearded dragon lizard roaming freely. That's just normal for the area. If you had a house there you'd have em in your back yard.

Oh and Brisbane isn't a bad holiday destination either. It's a nice city and in great proximity to the gold and sunshine coasts. Great weather, great people and plenty to do. Brisbane shouldn't be overlooked as a tourist destination. IMO it kicks beats the shit out of Melb and sydney.

You have to visit Dreamworld,Movie World and Sea World! Melb and syd don't have theme parks that come close!

*Bump*