The Ultimate Perth Zoo Review

What better way to spend a day than visiting Perth Zoo? It is home to more than 1200 native and exotic animals, including some of Australia’s most endangered species. The zoo also has educational programs perfect for school groups or families, so there’s something for all ages.

As a local Perth family, we visited the zoo at least every year when our girls were young.

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Perth Zoo Guide

Perth Zoo Tickets & Prices

The cost of tickets as of April 2023 is:

Adult – A$34.60 (16 years and over)

Australian Concession & Senior– A$27.50

Child – A$17.30 (4-15 years and must be accompanied by an adult)

Under 4 – Free

Mini Group – A$91 (2 adults and 2 children)

If you have memberships with RAC, Entertainment Book, or HBF you may be able to purchase discounted tickets.

Perth Zoo Opening Hours

Perth Zoo is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Sometimes, they have special events when the zoo is open later.

How to get to Perth Zoo

Perth Zoo is located at 20 Labouchere Road, South Perth – just across the Swan River from Perth CBD and easily accessed by public transport.

By Ferry

The most scenic way is to take the ferry to Perth Zoo, which leaves Elizabeth Quay and crosses the river to South Perth. From Mends Street Jetty, the zoo is a 500m walk.

By Bus

Bus routes 30 and 31 run from the Perth Bus Port in Wellington St and Elizabeth Quay Bus Station to the zoo’s entrance [stop #11847].

By Train

For trains on the Joondalup or Mandurah Lines, alight at Elizabeth Quay Train Station and catch bus 30 or 31 (as above).  

For trains on the Midland, Armadale, Thornlie & Fremantle lines, get off at Perth Train Station and walk to the Perth Bus Port (next door) to catch bus 30 or 31.

By Car

The zoo is a five-minute drive from Perth’s CBD. Take the Mill Point Road freeway exit from both the north and south directions.

Perth Zoo Parking

There are some free 4-hour parking spots by the zoo, but these are usually taken. We park in the car park on Mill Point Road, so we don’t have to rush back before the time is up.

South Perth provides information on parking options.

Perth Zoo Map

Before you visit, you can download a copy of the Perth Zoo map or the Perth Zoo Accessibility Map to plan what you want to see.

Perth Zoo Animals

Perth Zoo’s animals attract over 700,000 visitors annually. It has several habitats, including the Australian Bushwalk, Asian Rainforest, African Savannah, Australian Wetlands, and Amazonia.

There are many types of animals on display at the zoo, including native and exotic.

Perth Zoo Experiences

Perth Zoo offers a wide range of behind-the-scenes animal encounters that allow you to get up close to these extraordinary animals. A fantastic experience for all ages.

Perth Zoo Facilities

Information Hub

Stop at the Information Hub for details of the daily presentations and a map, so that you can make the most out of your time here.

Toilet Facilities

There are eight toilets (seven accessible) and parenting facilities with changing and feeding amenities, including microwaves.

Hire

You can hire wheelchairs, wagons, and lockers for the day.

Wheelchair hire requires a A$10 refundable deposit (pre-book on 9474 0444).

Two-seater wagons cost A$14 and are available from the front entrance.

Secure lockers are A$7 per use and include sizes big enough for most eskies.

Carousel

The beautiful historic carousel runs from 11 am to 3 pm (10 am to 4 pm during school holidays).

Zoo Café 

The Zoo Café is currently closed, but there are a variety of food trucks to grab a takeaway and picnic on the beautiful grounds. However, be prepared for a long wait in peak times (I waited 30 minutes for my coffee).

Variety Children’s Playground 

This playground allows children with and without disabilities to play together. Tunnels, streams, and sculptures that stimulate every sense have been created using local natural materials. The playground is shaded to protect from the harsh sun with accessible toilet facilities, a drinking fountain, BBQ, and picnic tables.

Mobility-friendly Drinking Fountains and Lockers

All the drinking fountains can be accessed by children or those using a wheelchair/scooter. Local school children designed the beautiful mosaics.

Hands-on Activities 

Children with vision impairments can explore life-size statues of a gorilla, kangaroo, Sun Bear, Perentie, orangutan, otter, and Galapagos Tortoise.

The Jungle School (orangutan) experience has tactile activities for children of all ages. The Zoo HQ offers a highly interactive look at the behind-the-scenes aspects of running a zoo.

What to bring with you to Perth Zoo

Here are some things I recommend bringing with you to Perth Zoo:

• Re-usable drink bottle
• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Jacket (if it’s cooler or the sea breeze is strong)
• Rain Jacket and/or umbrella if wet weather expected
• Camera (photos can be shared on social media, but it is against the law to use the images commercially or for personal gain).
• Food
• Picnic Blanket
• Stroller for younger children (it’s a long walk around the zoo)

Is Perth Zoo worth going to?

Yes, Perth Zoo is worth going to. It’s a great day out for all ages, but especially with young children. We visit every year and enjoy seeing the animals up to something different each time.

Is Perth Zoo humane?

Let me start by saying that I’m not a fan of animals in captivity. However, Perth Zoo is doing a great job in providing their animals with the utmost care and working towards giving them more freedom to roam within a natural environment. They are a 5-star zoo, which helps save wildlife and contributes over A$2.5million to wildlife conservation annually and has distributed around A$350,000 per year to projects outside the zoo. Read more about their conservation, breeding projects, research, and much more at Perth Zoo.

They constantly think about the welfare of their animals. For example, now our beloved Tricia (the oldest female Asian elephant) has died, the zoo are rehoming the remaining two elephants into the huge Monarto Safari Park in South Australia instead of purchasing a “replacement” for Tricia. This means they have the opportunity to roam freely and develop a herd structure as in the wild.

Perth Zoo has a wonderful vision of what the future of the zoo will look like to ensure it remains a world-class zoo. I can’t wait to see the plans unfold – they remind me of Singapore Zoo.

You can read more and watch a video on their website.

FAQ

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