Caversham Wildlife Park Review: Get Up Close With Australia’s Unique Wildlife

Planning a family day out in Perth and wondering if Caversham Wildlife Park is worth the visit? Whether you’re a local looking for an easy weekend adventure or a tourist eager to explore family-friendly attractions in Perth and get up close to Western Australia’s unique wildlife, Caversham offers an up-close encounter like no other. From hand-feeding kangaroos to stroking koalas, this park promises an unforgettable experience for all ages.

But, with so many wildlife parks in Australia, you might be asking: Is Caversham the best choice? What’s the best time to visit to avoid crowds? How can you make the most of your time there? These are common questions that can make or break your visit, especially if you’re on a tight schedule or traveling with kids.

In this review, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to ensure a smooth and rewarding trip – from navigating peak times to insider tips for interacting with the animals.

By the end, you’ll know exactly why Caversham Wildlife Park stands out from the rest, and how to make the most of your experience without any surprises. Let’s dive in!

This post may contain affiliate links (of companies I book through). This means I may receive a small commission if you book through them. You can read the disclaimer for more information.

Getting to Caversham Wildlife Park

PLEASE NOTE – Due to the installation of Metronet, there are road works and road closures surrounding Whiteman Park. 

Caversham Wildlife Park is located within Whiteman Park, just 20 kilometres northeast of Perth’s city centre.

By Car

If you have access to a car, driving is the most convenient option. From Perth’s central business district, it’s about a 25–30 minute drive depending on traffic. You can take Tonkin Highway or Reid Highway, both offering easy routes toward Whiteman Park. Once inside Whiteman Park, clear signage will direct you to Caversham Wildlife Park’s entrance.

Parking is free and plentiful, with several designated parking areas close to the entrance, making it a hassle-free experience for families and groups with young children. There are also parking spaces available for those with mobility issues. Car Park number 8 is the closest.

By Public Transport

From the Perth CBD, catch a train on the Midland Line and get off at Bassendean Station. From there, you can transfer to bus route 955 or 956, which will take you to Whiteman Park’s entrance. The bus journey is around 15–20 minutes, and from the drop-off point, it’s a 15-minute walk.

You can use the Transperth Journey Planner to plan your travel.

Caversham Wildlife Park Prices

Ticket Prices

Caversham Wildlife Park offers a variety of ticket types, including options for families, children, seniors, and large groups. As of the latest update, the following prices apply:

• Adults (16+ years): A$35.00
• Children (3–15 years): A$16.00
• Concession/Senior: A$26.00
• Children under 3: Free

Note: Prices are subject to change, so it’s always a good idea to check the official website for the latest information before your visit.

Special Discounts & Offers

• Large Groups: If you’re visiting with a large group, including school groups or tour groups, Caversham Wildlife Park may offer discounted rates. It’s recommended to contact the park directly to inquire about group booking discounts and availability.
• Concession Tickets: Seniors, pensioners, and holders of concession cards can take advantage of a reduced entry fee. Make sure to bring valid identification to access the discounted rates.
• Annual Passes: If you’re a local or plan to visit frequently, inquire about the availability of annual passes. These passes offer unlimited entry for a year, providing excellent value for regular visitors, particularly families.

Caversham Wildlife Park is operated and owned by a Western Australian family and doesn’t receive any funding from the government. So, by visiting this attraction, you are helping with the upkeep of the animals.

You can’t usually buy cheap tickets or get discounts for Caversham Wildlife Park, so be wary of anyone selling them at lower prices.

Opening Hours

Caversham Wildlife Park is open every day of the year except for Christmas Day (December 25). The park’s standard opening hours are:

• Daily: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Best Time to Visit

For a more enjoyable Perth family outing, plan your visit during weekdays or early mornings, as this is the best time to visit Perth attractions like Caversham without facing large crowds.

Arriving early in the day gives you the chance to explore at a leisurely pace and catch all the daily shows and interactive animal experiences.

Caversham Wildlife Park Animal Shows/ Encounters & Wildlife

Caversham Wildlife Park is one of the top Perth wildlife experiences, offering a chance to hand-feed kangaroos and see wombats – an exciting day out for families looking for things to do in Perth with kids.

Iconic Australian Wildlife

Caversham Wildlife Park features an impressive array of Australian animals, giving you a chance to get up close and personal with the country’s most famous species. Some of the key animals you’ll encounter include:

• Kangaroos: One of the highlights of visiting Caversham is the opportunity to hand-feed kangaroos. The park has a spacious, open area where these friendly animals roam freely, and visitors are invited to interact with them. This is an excellent experience for kids and tourists alike, as the kangaroos are approachable and used to human interaction.
• Koalas: Another iconic Australian animal, koalas are a favourite at Caversham. The park offers daily sessions where visitors can get close to the koalas for photos, although touching is limited to protect the animals. It’s a great chance to observe these adorable marsupials up close and learn more about their habitats and conservation.
• Wombats: Visitors also get to meet and take photos with wombats, another of Australia’s unique creatures.
• Tasmanian Devils: Known for their ferocity in the wild, Tasmanian devils are endangered, making their presence at Caversham Wildlife Park a rare and educational experience. Watching them up close is a reminder of the importance of conservation efforts.

There are six animal encounters at Caversham Wildlife Park.

Meet The Wombat and Friends

One of the highlights of my visit to Caversham Wildlife Park was the chance to meet a wombat up close, an animal that often flies under the radar compared to kangaroos and koalas. These chunky, burrowing marsupials may not be as famous, but they’re certainly just as fascinating.

What sets Caversham apart is their unique interactive wombat encounter, where you can actually meet and even touch one of these adorable creatures. This hands-on experience is something many wildlife parks don’t offer, making it a memorable part of the day.

The park’s keepers were incredibly knowledgeable, and seeing the wombat up close gave me a new appreciation for these often-overlooked marsupials. It’s an experience that both kids and adults will enjoy, and it’s one you won’t want to miss during your visit.

Meet the Wombat and Friends is open at set times (9.30 am, 11.00 am & 2.00 pm). I recommend going to the earlier slot as it gets busier as the day goes on. We queued to have our photo taken with the wombat first and then went around to look at the other animals in this exhibit. There are about twenty animals on display, where you can take photos and talk to the keeper (we even got to hold a snake).

There is no charge for the photos taken with your camera.

Meet the Koalas

You can meet the koalas and have your photo taken with them (again at no charge) at these set times:

9am, 11.30 am and 3.30 pm

Please note that you cannot hold the koala yourself but can pat them. They are sometimes in their keeper’s arms or on a small tree.

Farm Show

This farm show is worth going to, and fascinating to learn about life on an Australian farm. You will see sheep shearing, learn how to crack a whip, swing a billy, milk a cow, and watch sheepdogs muster the sheep. The dogs were the stars of the show.

10.00 am, 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm Daily.

Penguin Feeding

The penguins are fed at 12 pm. Be quick, as it doesn’t take them long to eat their food, but you will learn about these cute birds at the same time.

Molly’s Farm

All the kids (big and little) love this part of the park. There are different enclosures with various farm animals; some you can enter and interact with them. The goats and lambs are adorable and would happily sit there while you stroked them.

Open from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm.

Kangaroo Enclosure

The girls and I adore kangaroos, and these ones are relaxed and enjoy a pat. You can hand-feed the kangaroos from food in a bucket but be warned, they are fed so much that many aren’t hungry! You can still give them a stroke, and it’s a wonderful experience. It’s the only place I have seen white kangaroos.

Open 9.00 am to 4.30 pm.

There are plenty of other animals around the park. Listen out for the kookaburra laugh, and look for the cute echidnas. Also, see if you can spot the wombats (who always seem asleep when we visit).

Caversham Wildlife Park is the largest private collection of Aussie wildlife in Western Australia.

Caversham Wildlife Park Map

Caversham Wildlife Park maps are given to you upon entry with times for the shows. Use these to plan your time there.

Caversham Wildlife Park Café / Food

Caversham Wildlife park doesn’t have an on-site café, but the kiosk sells hot and cold drinks, ice creams, snacks, and some light meals. You can leave the park and re-enter, providing you get your hand stamped before leaving. We usually take a picnic which we keep in the car until ready to eat.

Caversham Wildlife Park Gift Shop

Caversham Wildlife Gift Shop sells an extensive range of Australian souvenirs, including jewellery, soft toys, local honey, and books.

Caversham Wildlife Park vs Perth Zoo

Caversham Wildlife Park and Perth Zoo are great family activities and are always on my list to take international visitors. If you want to see more native animals up close, Caversham Wildlife Park is the best option. Perth Zoo is better for experiencing the larger animals (although you will still see Australian wildlife there).

Caversham Wildlife Park is perfect for families with young children as they can interact with many Australian animals and not get bored. The enclosures are large, and the animals seem very content and well looked after. The keepers are friendly and passionate about their job.

The downside is the location for tourists or people without a car. The zoo is centrally located in Perth, but Caversham Wildlife Park is hard to get to by public transport (although possible).

Tips for visiting Caversham Wildlife Park

• Get there early
• Allow at least three hours
• Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
• Check when entering for up-to-date activity times
• Bring your own water bottle with you
• Get your hand stamped before you leave in case you want to come back
• Pack some food and have a picnic in the grounds of Whiteman Park
• Take a rain jacket if rain is forecast (it can pour down!)
• On a warm day, bring bathers for the kids so they can play in the splash pool in Whiteman Park

As a mum of two energetic toddlers, keeping them entertained for an entire day was no easy feat, but Caversham made it simple. Between the interactive shows and the chance to feed kangaroos, they were completely captivated the whole time!

Overall, Caversham Wildlife Park stands out as one of the best family attractions in Perth, making it a must-visit for both animal lovers and anyone looking for memorable things to do near Perth.

If you are looking for other family animal encounters, why don’t you consider a stay at a farm like Ferguson Valley Farmstay or Diamond Forest Farmstay?

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