Information
Landmark: Perth ZooCity: Perth
Country: Australia
Continent: Australia
Perth Zoo, Perth, Australia, Australia
Overview
Perth Zoo sits in the heart of South Perth, drawing visitors as one of Australia’s top wildlife attractions, where you might hear the distant call of a gibbon.Founded in 1898, it shelters animals from across Australia and far beyond, from red kangaroos to snow leopards.The zoo has earned a reputation for protecting wildlife, teaching visitors, and drawing them into exhibits so vivid you can almost hear the rainforest hum.With emerald lawns underfoot, smartly arranged exhibits, and just a short drive from downtown, it’s a favorite spot for both locals and visitors.Here’s an overview of the location-20 Labouchere Road in South Perth, Western Australia, where the tall gum trees line the street.The zoo covers about 41 acres-roughly 16.6 hectares-and sits only 3 kilometers, or a quick five-minute drive, from Perth’s central business district.Perth Zoo’s doors open daily, year-round, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., when the last visitors wander past the tall giraffes on their way out.Before you go, check for any special hours or events-like an early closure or a weekend festival-so you’re not caught off guard.At Perth Zoo, you can wander past towering giraffes, watch playful otters splash, and meet over 1,200 animals from about 230 different species.It’s best known for giving outstanding care to native Australian wildlife-think koalas dozing in eucalyptus trees-and for protecting endangered animals from across the world.The zoo’s split into a handful of zones, each designed for different kinds of wildlife, from the damp, leafy rainforest walk to the wide, sun‑baked savannah.In the Australian Bushwalk, this part of the zoo highlights the country’s iconic wildlife, giving you the chance to meet animals like the koala-one of Australia’s favorites-resting in gum-scented enclosures designed to feel like their natural home.Kangaroos and wallabies bound across the wide, open exhibit, their tails kicking up little puffs of dust as visitors step in close for an up‑close, hands‑on encounter.Wombats, with their stocky build and powerful claws that can tear into packed earth, quickly win over visitors.Tasmanian Devils: Perth Zoo plays an active role in protecting these endangered creatures, and you can see how through their hands-on conservation programs.Emus and dingoes-two of Australia’s best-known creatures-bring the exhibit to life and add to its rich biodiversity, from the dingo’s sandy coat to the emu’s quick, heavy stride.Number two.African Savannah - this part of the zoo recreates the wide, golden grasslands of Africa and shelters some of its most powerful animals.Lions prowl here, a whole pride in a roomy enclosure, giving visitors a thrilling, up-close look at these apex predators.At the giraffe exhibit, you can stand just a few feet from these towering animals and watch them pluck leaves with their long, dark tongues-a sight that never fails to delight visitors.Zebras and antelopes wander the open savannah beside tall, slow-moving giraffes, their hooves kicking up little clouds of dust and giving you a true taste of African wildlife.Meerkats: Step into a specially designed exhibit where you can watch these small, lively creatures chatter and dart about, revealing their intricate social lives up close.Number three stood alone, neat as a single black mark on the page.South-East Asian Jungle - this exhibit brings you face-to-face with the vibrant wildlife of Southeast Asia, from the rustle of leaves in dense rainforests to glimpses of rare creatures like the Sumatran tiger, whose survival Perth Zoo is working hard to protect.Visitors can watch these powerful cats prowl through tall grass in a setting that feels like the wild.The zoo is home to both Bornean and Sumatran orangutans, easy to spot as they sway lazily on thick ropes, and it’s widely recognized for its work in protecting the species.Sun bears, the smallest of their kind, sport a bright golden patch on their chest that catches the light-and the attention-of visitors at Perth Zoo.Asian Elephants: The zoo runs a thriving program, and it’s one of the rare spots in Australia where you can watch these gentle giants sway their trunks in the warm afternoon sun.Number four stood alone, a small dark mark in the margin.The Wetlands area teems with life, sheltering creatures that thrive in water and marshy ground; among them, the massive saltwater crocodile-its dark scales glistening in the sun-stands out as one of the largest reptiles on the planet.The Wetlands teem with life, from pelicans skimming the water’s surface to ducks paddling in the reeds and bright ibises stalking the shallows, alongside exotic species brought from far-off shores.Five.At Perth Zoo, the Nocturnal House comes alive after dark, giving visitors a close-up look at creatures that stir when the rest of the world sleeps.This spot’s perfect for catching a glimpse of Australia’s shy night dwellers, like the bilby-a small marsupial that scurries through the sand and plays a vital role in the ecosystem.Sugar gliders, tiny marsupials with silky gray fur, leap and glide between branches, exploring their world in playful, curious ways.The numbat, an endangered Australian marsupial, stands out with bold chocolate-brown stripes and spends its days snapping up termites.Perth Zoo is committed to protecting wildlife, taking an active hand in major breeding programs and conservation projects, from raising rare tree kangaroos to restoring threatened habitats.The zoo helps breed endangered animals, including the Western Swamp Tortoise, the Golden Poison Frog with its vivid yellow skin, and the powerful Sumatran Tiger.Many of the zoo’s exhibits are built to teach visitors and to support conservation work, like the quiet aviary where rare parrots breed in tall, leafy enclosures.Perth Zoo takes part in several global conservation efforts, focusing especially on endangered Australian animals like the numbat, as well as threatened wildlife from Southeast Asia.The zoo runs on sustainable, eco-friendly methods-tapping into solar power, cutting water use, and recycling everything from paper cups to leftover straw.At Perth Zoo, special programs and animal encounters let visitors get up close-close enough to hear a lemur’s soft chatter-while learning in a fun, hands-on way.Book a special keeper talk or animal encounter, and you might find yourself face-to-face with one of the zoo’s most charming residents, from a sleepy koala to a giraffe nibbling leaves overhead.Night at the Zoo: After sunset, the zoo opens its gates for special tours, letting visitors wander dimly lit paths and watch owls blink in the shadows while learning how nocturnal animals live and hunt.Perth Zoo welcomes school and group tours that give students a close-up look at wildlife while highlighting how the zoo helps protect endangered species.Perth Zoo offers plenty to keep you comfortable, from shady benches to a choice of cafés and restaurants.You’ll find spots for a quick coffee, a cold drink, or a full meal between exhibits.You can savor a meal while gazing out over the zoo’s green lawns, where leaves stir in the breeze.Gift Shop: The zoo’s store offers everything from soft, spotted plush lions to colorful books and keepsakes, and every purchase helps fund vital conservation programs.Playground: Families can head to the children’s area, where kids race down slides and laugh, while parents sit back and unwind.Perth Zoo welcomes visitors with mobility challenges, offering smooth ramps, wide wheelchair-friendly paths, and free wheelchairs ready at the entrance.Driving to Perth Zoo is simple-you can pull right up to the entrance, where rows of parking spots wait under the shade of tall gum trees.If you’re taking public transport, the zoo sits just a short ride from the south side.
