Queensland homeowner finds Giant python inside Mission Beach home

A Queensland woman got the surprise of her life when an unexpected visitor slithered into her home.

Lea-Ann Kennedy managed to keep a cool head after a 5.5m python took up residence in the laundry of her Mission Beach home.

The shocked homeowner remained calm, and with the help of a professional snake catcher, managed to get the 40kg reptile out of her laundry.

But their rescue efforts hit a snag after the snake was too big for the bag, forcing the pair to use a doona cover.

The snake was eventually released back into the wild.

While the thought of coming into contact with a python that size would send shivers down most people's spine, the brave Ms Kennedy described the encounter as "amazing."