Perth Zoo
- Details
- Category: Places of Interest
- Published: Wednesday, 10 December 2008 11:19
- Written by Nita Teoh
Perth Zoo
20 Labouchere RoadSouth Perth
Phone: 9474 3511 (24 hour voice recorded message)
Phone: 9474 0444 (weekdays only)
Opening hours: 9am to 5pm
Entry fee: $18 for adults. Concessions available.
Parking: free parking opposite the Zoo
Following on from the theme of things to do around South Perth, the Perth Zoo is an easy day trip around Perth for some fun and activity as well as an educational experience for kids and all. The easiest way to get to the zoo is to catch the ferry from Barrack Street jetty in Perth to Mend Street jetty in South Perth. From Mend Street jetty, to get to the Perth Zoo is an easy 10 minute walk. It is also convenient to stop en route for a coffee along the Mend Street cafe strip on your way to the Zoo.
The Zoo has lots of different exhibits to check out and you will get plenty of exercise walking from one end to the other. Some of the enclosures to visit include the Savannah, Australian Walkabout, Australian Wetlands, Reptile Encounter, Rainforest Retreat, and Primates. Feeding sessions and special presentations by keepers are available throughout the day for selected exhibits. Volunteer guides are also on hand to provide some interesting stories about residents of the Zoo.
The Perth Zoo has successfully introduced the "open zoo" concept of open spaces and natural surroundings over the years. Of note is the orang utan enclosure which moved from enclosed cages a while ago to an open setting which has provided a much more pleasant environment for the orang utans. The Zoo's approach to conservation and prevention of extinction of animals has no doubt contributed to the successful births of various species including orang utans, rhinos and silvery gibbons over the years.
If you are an orang utan enthusiast, the Perth Zoo has its own resident expert Leif Cocks, Curator of Exotic Mammals who has spent over 20 years working at the Perth Zoo with orang utans. For further reading, check out his book titled "Orangutans and their Battle for Survival".
Painted dogs are a relatively new exhibit to the zoo. Painted dogs expert John Lemon was instrumental in bringing over painted dogs from Africa to the Perth Zoo and is passionate about conservation of painted dogs through the Painted Dogs Conservation Inc.
For visitors to Perth keen to check out some Australian wildlife, the Australian Walkabout section of the zoo provides an opportunity to see kangaroos, wallabies, and koalas. Mind you, those cute koalas always seem to be either eating or sleeping at the best of times.
If you are planning to spend the better part of the day, it's a good idea to bring a picnic as there are some pleasant grounds for picnicking throughout the Zoo. The Safaris Cafe and Geckos Fast Food are available for fast food or the Meerkats Cafe for drinks.
During summer time, the Perth Zoo is open at night for outdoor theme concerts and fun family activities and special New Year's Eve celebrations.
If you are a frequent visitor to the Zoo, it may be worthwhile joining Friends of the Zoo. By being a Friend of the Zoo, you will receive free entry to the Zoo through your annual subscription, discounts to the Perth Zoo shop and other events.
How to get there:
The easiest way to get to the Perth Zoo is to catch the ferry from the Barrack Street jetty in Perth to Mend Street jetty in South Perth. From the ferry, walk straight down Mend Street, the cafe strip in South Perth. When you get to the end of Mend Street, turn left onto Labouchere Road and a short distance after, you should be able to spot the entrance to the Perth Zoo on Labouchere Road. The distance from the ferry to the Zoo should be an easy 10 minute walk.
Other Perth Walkabout articles
Point Fraser Demonstration Wetlands
Go to
Things to Do
Terms & Conditions
Subscribe
Report
My comments