Looking for your next family day out? Caversham Wildlife Park has you covered. Located within Whiteman Park and welcoming visitors for more than 28 years, Caversham has become one of Perth’s best-known family attractions – and for good reason.
Home to more than 2,000 animals from across Australia, the park offers families the chance to get up close with some of our most iconic native wildlife, along with plenty of farmyard favourites. Whether you have animal-loving kids, curious toddlers or simply want a day out that keeps everyone entertained, there’s plenty to see and do.
The park opens daily from 9am, with parking available at Car Park B within Whiteman Park. If you’re catching public transport, you can travel to Whiteman Park Station and follow the signposted 2km pathway to the wildlife park. This is worth keeping in mind if you’re travelling with little legs or a pram. On Saturdays and Sundays, a shuttle bus operates from 9:20am to 4:10pm, taking visitors directly into the village.
Once inside, you’ll receive a map, and it’s worth checking the daily timetable so you can plan around the experiences you don’t want to miss. Daily highlights include kangaroo feeding, wombat meet-and-greets, koala experiences and the popular Farm Show.
If you’re visiting on a weekend or during school holidays, arrive early if you’re hoping to book a koala-holding experience, as these can sell out quickly. The wombat meet-and-greet is also very popular. Alternatively, the park becomes noticeably quieter later in the afternoon, making this a great time to explore if you prefer a more relaxed experience. The later Farm Show is also generally much less crowded.
For younger children, Molly’s Farm is likely to be a major highlight. Kids can get close to horses, donkeys, cows, sheep and goats, along with some less traditional farm animals including deer, ostriches and water buffalo.
Towards the back of Molly’s Farm you’ll find the Farm Show, offering a fun taste of traditional Australian farm life. There’s live sheep shearing, working sheepdogs and whip cracking, along with audience participation.
Selected children can bottle-feed lambs, while adults can try their hand at cracking a whip or swinging the billy tea. Shows run at 10am, 1pm and 3pm, with the 3pm session generally being the quieter option.
Another must-see is the kangaroo and wallaby walk-through habitat. While kangaroo feeding has temporarily been unavailable due to the recent avian influenza situation in WA, families can still get close to the resident kangaroos, wallabies and their adorable joeys.
The enclosure is spacious and provides a calm environment for the animals, with plenty of opportunities for photos and, when the animals are comfortable, a gentle pat. Just remind little ones not to chase or crowd them.
The northern section of the park is another great area to explore, with dingoes and crocodiles among the highlights.
The curious dingoes often come close to the viewing areas and are a favourite with younger visitors.
From here, you can make your way to the koala section. Caversham has an impressive koala population, and if you’re lucky, you may even spot a joey clinging to mum.
Koala-holding experiences are available, although numbers are limited for animal welfare reasons and can sell out quickly. If this is on your family’s wish list, book at the entrance ticket booth upon arrival. Even without an experience, there are plenty of opportunities to see the koalas up close.
The Reptile House is another favourite, particularly for children who love snakes, lizards and all things creepy-crawly. Home to around 50 species and more than 150 individual reptiles, it also connects to a nocturnal section showcasing some of Australia’s night-time wildlife.
Don’t forget the little penguins, which are fed daily at 12pm. If you stick around afterwards, you may also catch the pelicans being fed – another simple experience that kids tend to love.
When little legs start getting tired, there are plenty of places to stop for a break. Caversham is well set up for families who prefer to bring their own food, with shaded picnic areas available throughout the park. There’s also an onsite café serving family favourites including hot chips, sandwiches and ice cream, as well as a gift shop filled with animal-themed souvenirs.
The park is generally well set up for prams and wheelchair access, although it’s spread across a large area, so comfortable shoes are a must. If you’re planning to experience the scheduled encounters, it’s worth arriving early and planning your day around the timetable. If you’re happy to wander and explore at your own pace, there’s no need to rush.
During warmer weather, bring plenty of water, sunscreen and hats. While there are shaded areas throughout the park, you’ll still be spending a lot of time outdoors.
Whether you’re introducing the kids to kangaroos and koalas, exploring the farm animals or getting up close to reptiles and penguins, Caversham Wildlife Park is a fantastic family day out. And with the rest of Whiteman Park right on your doorstep, it’s easy to combine your visit with some of the area’s other family attractions for a full day of family fun.
Caversham Wildlife Park
Address: 233B Drumpellier Drive, Whiteman WA 6068 (inside Whiteman Park)
Opening hours: Open daily 9:00am – 4:30pm (closed Christmas Day, 25 December). Last entry 3:30pm.
Website: https://cavershamwildlife.com.au/
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