Australia Zoo Celebrates Steve Irwin's Legacy with Google Partnership and More

BRISBANE, Australia, Feb. 22, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Wildlife legend Steve Irwin's birthday is Friday, February 22, and to mark the occasion, Queensland's Australia Zoo is proud to announce their partnership with Google to debut a Google Doodle celebrating his legacy. Doodles are unique variations of the Google logo to celebrate the lives of iconic pioneers, holidays and other momentous occasions. The Doodle, which will showcase various scenes of the Irwin family interacting with animals at the Australia Zoo, will be on display globally tomorrow.

Upon the launch of the Doodle, Google will offer a number of interactive ways for readers to learn about the Irwins and conservation. Users can read a guest post on the Google Doodle blog from Terri Irwin honoring the life and achievements of her husband Steve Irwin, utilize Google Assistant by saying "Hey Google, crikey" to discover fun facts about Steve and his journey, and view Google trends and data pages about wildlife and conservation, as well as the top questions and facts about animals, endangered species and crocodiles.

"We are incredibly proud that Google Doodle has chosen to recognize Steve and all the wonderful conservation work he achieved. Steve always wished that his message to protect wildlife and wild places would be remembered. This certainly honors his message and mission," said Terri Irwin.

Apart from the Google Doodle, Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin continue Steve's legacy through ground-breaking research, conservation work around the world and their television series on Animal Planet: 'Crikey! It's the Irwins,' which debuted last fall. The show, which follows Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin as they propel Steve's conservation mission forward and showcase their passion for wildlife, features the Irwin family working together to care for more than 1,200 animals at the Australia Zoo. The family also conducts high-octane global expeditions and oversees the world-class Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, the largest of its kind in the world, as they rescue and recuperate a variety of animals. The series has been Animal Planet's most popular world-wide launch ever, airing across 360 million homes in more than 205 countries and territories. Following the success of season one, the network has just announced that they will be renewing the show for season two in 2019.

From running Australia's largest family-owned zoo, Australia Zoo in Queensland, to traveling the world to protect and celebrate the most wondrous animals on the planet, the Irwins work thoughtfully and tirelessly to carry on Steve's mission to bring people closer to animals and ignite the connection that will ensure an abundance of wildlife for generations to come.

As ambassadors for Queensland's Sunshine Coast region, the Irwins have also shared insider intel to the place they call home, citing what makes the destination so special for them. Apart from the Australia Zoo and the diverse variety of wildlife found throughout the region, the Irwin family's favorite Sunshine Coast attractions and experiences include hiking the iconic Glasshouse Mountains, enjoying world-renowned landscapes and scenic views from lookout points such as Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve and Mount Ngungun, relaxing on spectacular beaches, and shopping and dining in the lush hinterland town of Maleny. Terri in particular recommends Sunshine Coast's hinterland as a must-visit area and urges visitors to not miss the QCamel Dairy Farm, Australia's premium supplier of Certified Organic camel milk products, for a farm tour and camel cuddles.

Travelers who want to experience the magic of the Australia Zoo and the Irwins' successful conservation efforts can book exclusive packages through Springboard Vacations. The lead vacation package option, Australia Zoo, Brisbane & Gold Coast, is priced from $795 per person for six days based on twin share, and includes the following:

•     Private Car Round trip Transfers between airport and hotel
•     3 nights at 3 star Hotel Ibis Brisbane in a Queen Room
•     Full day tour to Australia Zoo
•     Half Day Essential Brisbane Bike Tour
•     Coach round trip transfer to the Gold Coast
•     2 nights at 3 star Mantra Legends Hotel in a Studio Room
•     Springboard Vacations' 24/7 local travel assistance and support
•     Springboard Vacations Travel Protection Plan
•     First 150 people to book this package get the following valued at $50:

o    Bronze Adoption of an animal that includes a personalized certificate, photo of your adopted animal with a fact sheet and a subscription to the Australia Zoo weekly email newsletter valued at $50.

Package is valid from April 1, 2019 - March 31, 2020. To book, click here or call 1-866-447-7746.

For a more premium package experience, guests can book the Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Australia Zoo Platinum Tour. This package is priced at $3,695 per person for six days based on twin share, and includes the following:

•     2 nights at 5 star Spicers Balfour Hotel in Brisbane in a King Room with a la carte breakfast daily
•     Half day Private Bike Tour of Brisbane
•     Luxury Private Car Round trip Transfers between airport and hotel
•     Luxury Private Car Round trip Transfers to Noosa
•     3 nights at 5 star Spicers Tamarind Retreat in a 1-bedroom Falls Villa including breakfast
•     Luxury Private Car Round trip Transfer to Australia Zoo
•     Springboard Vacations' 24/7 local travel assistance and support
•     Springboard Vacations Travel Protection Plan
•     Australia Zoo Platinum Package - For the true wildlife enthusiast, a Platinum Adventure is the opportunity of a lifetime. Enjoy a full day of extreme VIP treatment, exclusive behind-the-scenes animal encounters and the undivided attention of our animals and their expert handlers.
•     First 150 people to book this package get the following valued at $125:

o    Bronze Adoption of an animal that includes a personalized certificate, photo of your adopted animal with a fact sheet and a subscription to the Australia Zoo weekly email newsletter valued at $50.
o    A khaki-colored Australia Zoo branded button down shirt embroidered with the guests name valued at $75.

Package is valid from April 1, 2019 - March 31, 2020. To book, click here or call 1-866-447-7746.

The Australia Zoo, founded by Steve Irwin himself, is located just north of Brisbane on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, which offers a relaxed yet sophisticated lifestyle, encompassing both a wide stretch of coastline and the lush countryside of the hinterland. An ideal holiday destination, the Sunshine Coast offers a variety of vacation options for travelers including gourmet cuisine, surfing beaches, idyllic coastal towns, local markets, the beautiful Glass House Mountains, Australian wildlife and the natural hinterland.

For high res static images of the Google Doodle, click here.
For animation video of the Google Doodle, click here.
For high res images of the Irwins at the Australia Zoo, click here.

For more information on Queensland, the Sunshine Coast or Australia Zoo, please visit http://www.queensland.com.

ABOUT TOURISM AND EVENTS QUEENSLAND
Queensland is the second-largest and third-most populous state in Australia. Situated in the north-east of the country, it is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. Queensland has 14 destination regions, the most popular of which include Brisbane, Cairns & Great Barrier Reef, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and The Whitsundays. Queensland is a fascinating mix of cities and coast and offers an array of diverse experience throughout its many regions from the quintessential 'Aussie' beach experience and the islands of the Great Barrier Reef to nature & world heritage experiences and indigenous culture.

ABOUT SPRINGBOARD VACATIONS
Springboard Vacations custom designs extraordinary travel experiences. We are committed to deliver authentic experiences and to trying new and innovative travel concepts. In 2001 we set out to do something different: to offer travelers to Australia vacation experiences that were far from ordinary. Vacations that are indulgent, hip, cool - even sexy. Designing unique, personal itineraries is an art form we relish. Along with experience & know-how it takes an artistic flare and an intriguing digression from the beaten path. We're inspired to create unique, sophisticated escapes. The company's travel products have made news in the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Washington Post, New York Times and Good Morning America.

CONTACT:
Emma Silverman
Tourism and Events Queensland
646-780-0159
emma(at)elevensixpr.com

SOURCE Australia Zoo