Perth Zoo is worth the visit, as it offers a quick and convenient way to educate yourself on the region’s rich and fascinating wildlife. 

It’s the perfect destination if you’re looking for an accessible escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Perth Zoo is a fun-filled place that animal and nature lovers can enjoy without traveling far and spending too much. 

Furthermore, the zoo has facilities that make it accessible to all. The place has barbecue facilities for families who want to picnic, wheelchair hires and accessible paths for physically challenged guests, and a playground for the kids!

Do you have plans to visit? Here is everything you need to know about this sanctuary south of Perth.

How to Get to Perth Zoo

Address	20 Labouchere Rd, South Perth, WA 6151
Contact Details	(08) 9474-0444
Opening Hours	Daily: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Perth Zoo is only five minutes away from CBD and is reachable by public transport, private cars, and even bikes! 

By Car (Self-Drive)

To get to Perth Zoo by car, those driving from Perth CBD can take the Mill Point Road freeway exit ramp. Parking is available around the zoo in the South Perth area.

Do I have to pay for parking at Perth Zoo?

Parking in the streets around Perth Zoo is paid. You need to use the ticket machines provided in the area to secure your slot. 

The tickets offer the first hour free of charge, so you’ll only have to pay if you’re staying longer.
There is also free, timed parking at the Civic Centre. 

By Bus

To get to Perth Zoo by bus, board a Transperth bus taking Routes 30 and 31 and alight at the zoo’s entrance (Stop No. 11847). The route covers the Perth bus port and Elizabeth Quay Station.

Check out this guide if you need help figuring out Perth’s public transportation system.

By Train

There are no direct train routes leading to the Perth Zoo. You can get off at the Elizabeth Quay Station if you’re taking the Joondalup and Mandurah lines

There you can board buses traveling to the zoo.

Those taking the Midland, Armadale, Thornlie, and Fremantle lines can get off at the Perth Train Station and then transfer to the Perth bus port.

By Taxi

Most taxi drivers know a good route to Perth Zoo. In the rare cases that they don’t know where the place is, simply give them the zoo’s complete address.

By Ferry

Perhaps the most scenic way to reach Perth Zoo is by cruising the Swan River. Ferries depart from Elizabeth Quay Jetty and take about 10 minutes to get to the Mends Street Jetty in South Perth.

From there, you can reach the zoo on foot.

By Bike

If you’re up for the workout, you can ride a bike to Perth Zoo. Dual-use paths safe for biking and walking connect Perth CBD and South Perth along the Swan River. 

Bicycle racks are available outside the zoo.

When is Perth Zoo open?

Perth Zoo is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, even on public holidays. Take note that opening hours during holidays are shortened, though.

How much are tickets to Perth Zoo?

Entry cost to Perth Zoo ranges from free to about $35 per day ticket. Meanwhile, memberships can go up to $104 per year starting in 2023.   

Entry Type	Price
Day Entry Tickets	Child under 4 years old: Free Carers: Free Child (4 to 15 years old): $17.30 Senior: $27.50 Concession: $27.50 Adult: $34.60
Zoo Friends Membership(prices starting 2023)	Individual adult: $104 per person Individual child (4 to 15 years old): $59 per person Family adult: $92 per person Family child (4 to 15 years old): $57

Perth Zoo Membership

Just like other memberships, a “Zoo Friends” privilege at Perth Zoo means unlimited entry, discounts, and access to exclusive events and activities.

Members are also allowed free entry to associated zoos in Sydney, Adelaide, and Melbourne.

But more than those perks, and perhaps more importantly, being a member allows you to contribute to the zoo’s conservation efforts. 

After all, membership fees help fund food for the animals, veterinary expenses, and maintenance of the zoo and the botanical garden. 

Getting around Perth Zoo

Perth Zoo is home to over 1,200 animals living in zones developed to mimic their habitats in the wild. 

Moreover, facilities and amenities that cater to all sorts of guests including families with young kids and physically challenged visitors dot the 19-hectare site. 

We recommend knowing about the animal zones and the activities available at the site ahead of time, so you can plan accordingly and make the most of your visit.

What are the animals at Perth Zoo?

Perth Zoo features zones housing similar species or animals with similar habitat requirements.

Swans, Gibbons, and Kangaroos at Main Lake

Greeting you as you enter Perth Zoo is the Main Lake where you can see beautiful black swans gliding on the water’s surface.

Gibbons and tree kangaroos hanging on branches also surround the lake.

Snakes and Mini Dragons at Reptile Encounter

If you turn left from the lake at the entrance of Perth Zoo, you will see a delightful collection of snakes in the Reptile Encounter area, including the black-headed python, corn snake, and tiger snake.

Mini dragons are also present, including the rubbery bearded dragon and the hard-to-spot pebble-mimic dragon.

Endangered Swamp Tortoises at Australian Wetlands

You can experience a fraction of the richness of the region’s wetlands at Perth Zoo’s Australian Wetlands zone. The area is home to distinct, gorgeous birds such as the Australian shoveler, black-necked stork, and bridled torn.

You can also see the critically endangered western swamp tortoise and the estuarine crocodile (the largest living reptile today) in this zone.

Birds of the South-West

Local birds from Australia’s southwest region flock into the Birds of the South-West Aviary at Perth Zoo. Expect to hear a clash of bird calls from purple-crowned lorikeets, brush bronzewings, and black-winged stilts. 

Koalas and Tasmanian Devils at Australian Bushwalk

Mimicking the outback, the Australian Bushwalk zone of Perth Zoo houses Australia’s most iconic animals including the endangered cockatoos, koalas, Tasmanian devils, and numbats.

Vulnerable local animals such as quokkas and dingoes also roam the area. The flightless emus, who at one point won a war against the WA government, also run free in the zone. 

Elephants and Sumatran Tigers at Asian Rainforest

The Asian Rainforest zone in Perth Zoo houses the eastern region’s most fascinating animals, including the iconic Asian elephants. 

Critically endangered species such as the captivating Sumatran tiger and the highly intelligent Sumatran orangutan have found their homes in the zoo, hopefully, to be protected from poaching and habitat destruction.

Other animals staying in the area include the Asian small-clawed otter, binturong, komodo dragon, Nepalese red panda, sun bear, and white-cheeked gibbon.

Giraffes and Zebras at African Savvanah

A mini version of Africa’s mesmerizing wildlife is accessible via Perth Zoo’s African Savvanah zone, where you can see giraffes, African painted dogs, plains zebras, southern white rhinoceroses, and radiated tortoises. 

The Hamadryas baboons also sit atop the savannah’s rocks, waiting for you to wave at them.

Squirrel Monkeys at Amazonia

The Amazonia area of Perth Zoo houses the ever-charming Bolivian squirrel monkeys.

Tamarins Marmosets, and Lemurs at Primate Trail

Many trees dot the Primate Trail of Perth Zoo to provide homes to adorable primates, including the critically endangered cotton-top tamarin.

Look up the trees or scale the forest grounds to meet emperor tamarins, pygmy marmosets, ring-tailed lemurs, and tufted capuchins.

Ghost Bats and Bilbies at Nocturnal House

The Nocturnal House at Perth Zoo is designed to accommodate the unique requirements of nocturnal animals such as Australian tarantulas, bilbies, cane toads, dibblers, ghost bats, and feathertail gliders.

The critically endangered western ringtail possum is also in the zone.

What are the activities at Perth Zoo?

The Perth Zoo offers plenty of activities from walks to talks to close encounters with animals. We recommend trying them so you can deepen your knowledge about the zoo’s wildlife and conservation efforts. 

Know that some animals and experiences are not available at times to maintain the well-being of the creatures kept at the zoo.

Free Guided Tour

One way to make your tour at Perth Zoo more worthwhile is by booking a guided walk. A volunteer will accompany you as you hit the trail, supplying information about the animals. 

You can also ask the volunteer to take photos!

The guided tour is open from 10:45 AM to 2:00 PM daily.

Close Encounters

The Close Encounters activity allows you to get closer to select Perth Zoo animals such as giraffes, red pandas, and Galapagos tortoises. Encounters can last up to 45 minutes depending on the animal, with some including a feeding session.

You can also choose to play as a zoo keeper for a day through the “Best of Australia” session. Accompanied by a specialist, you will make the rounds in the Australian zone to give breakfast treats to the animals before the zoo opens to the public.

Zebra Car Tour

Those who fancy being driven around Perth Zoo can avail of the Zebra Car Tour and roam the site in comfort while a docent accompanies you. 

The guided tour lasts one hour and is available daily, provided you book first. 

Talks

Talks at Perth Zoo are free and allow you to learn more about select animals through information shared by the zoo keepers.

The talks involve numbats, elephants, orangutans, penguins, otters, crocodiles, sun bears, squirrel monkeys, koalas, and Tasmanian devils.

How long does it take to go through Perth Zoo?

Going around Perth Zoo to cover every zone can take up to three hours, excluding lunchtime and breaks. 

It may take more hours if you tend to stare at your favorite animals longer.

The zoo’s trails are connected, so it’s easy to figure out where you’re going next and how you can return to the entrance. 

What are the facilities at Perth Zoo?

Aside from the exciting array of animals and activities, Perth Zoo also offers convenience to its visitors through its many facilities and amenities.

• Toilets. Eight toilets are placed around the site for visitor use.

• Parenting facilities. Parents can use the dedicated change and feed facilities near the zoo’s Information Hub, Main Lawn, and Nocturnal House.

• Wheelchair hire. Wheelchairs are available to book to provide accessibility to physically challenged visitors.

• Wagon hire. You can put your small children into wagons while roaming the zoo for convenience and safety.

• Lockers. Secure lockers to the right of the Information Hub are available for a fee. Charging stations are near these lockers, accommodating USB-A and USB-C cables and 10-amp compatible plugs.

• Barbecue facilities. These facilities are located near the lawn, allowing for BBQ picnics at the heart of the zoo.

• Children’s playground. The shaded area is perfect for kids with high levels of energy and is strategically located near toilets, drinking fountains, and picnic tables.

• Drinking fountains. These are scattered around the zoo for easy access.

Make your visit easier by swinging by the Information Hub first, where you can acquire a map of the zoo and get details about the day’s events and exhibits. The hub is just inside the site’s entrance.

You can also check out the Perth Zoo Shop near the entrance for souvenirs.

Tips and Recommendations When Visiting Perth Zoo

We recommend checking in with the staff at the Information Hub so you can get insider tips on how to go about your day while in Perth Zoo.

Looking at animals in the zoo is not straightforward. Species are active at different times of the day, so not all of them will be easy to spot right away.

The key is to be patient and wait for the animals to show up. Or hire a keeper who is knowledgeable about the species and can give you tips on how to see them.

Joining the zoo’s walks and talks can raise the chances of seeing the animals, as keepers usually bring snacks to lure the creatures out for the presentation.

What is the best time of the year to visit the Perth Zoo?

You can visit the Perth Zoo any time of the year, but going in spring or summer would be best if you want to avoid the hassle of rain and wet trails. 

That said, the time of your visit will affect how you’d experience the zoo. After all, animals at Perth Zoo have varied daily habits. 

Mornings and Afternoons

Australian species, for instance, tend to be most active when it’s cool, usually in the mornings and afternoons. They sleep in the middle of the day when it’s hottest.

If you want to see the local animals in action, check the bushwalk early or before the zoo closes.

Carnivores like tigers and lions are also active in the first and last hours.

Late Afternoon

Primates are most awake at around 4:00 PM, as they start to make their night nests. 

Late Mornings

You can expect to see reptiles moving about at around 10:00 AM. Earlier and you might see nothing, as they are sleeping while camouflaged.

Nocturnal animals also start moving at 10:00 AM. Their zone has reverse lighting so you can see them in action even when it’s still daytime outside their area.

Good-to-Know Information about Perth Zoo

The Perth Zoo website has tons of information to satisfy your curiosity, and here are some of the salient ones we believe are worth knowing ahead of time.

Can I bring a pet into the zoo?

The Perth Zoo doesn’t allow visitors to bring their pets into the site except for assistance dogs. If you’re bringing the latter, ensure that you notify the zoo first.

Can I smoke in the zoo?

Perth Zoo prohibits smoking inside its premises.

Can I bring sporting items into the zoo?

Sporting items such as balls, balloons, frisbees, and the like are prohibited in Perth Zoo.

Other than essential mobility aids, transport items, such as bikes, skates, and scooters, are also not allowed for use inside the zoo.

Can I feed the animals?

Generally, visitors are not allowed to feed the animals at Perth Zoo, but they can watch the keepers do so.

The only exception is when you availed of the two-hour close encounter where you can act as a keeper. You will be able to feed the animals then but only food prepared by the zoo.