Perth Zoo is one of those Perth institutions that generations of local families have grown up with, and it’s still one of the best days out you can have with kids. Open since 1898 and located just across the river in South Perth, the zoo is home to around 1,200 animals across roughly 170 species. These days, the focus is firmly on conservation, immersive habitats and hands‑on learning, but it still has that classic zoo magic that makes little ones’ eyes light up the moment they walk through the gates.
The zoo is very easy to reach with kids in tow. It’s only a short drive from the CBD, with paid, timed parking in the streets and car parks around the grounds, or you can make an adventure of it by taking the train and bus or hopping on the ferry from Elizabeth Quay to Mends Street before walking up to the entrance. Once you’re inside, paths are pram‑ and wheelchair‑friendly and mostly shaded by established gardens and big trees. If you forget your stroller or have toddlers who tire easily, you can hire pull‑along carts and strollers near the entrance, which makes exploring the grounds a lot easier.
One of the standout things about Perth Zoo is how natural the exhibits feel. Rather than rows of cages, animals live in habitat-style enclosures designed to encourage natural behaviours. Families are encouraged to “wait, watch and listen”, which means you sometimes have to be a bit patient, but when a lion wanders past the glass, an orangutan swings close to the viewing window or a giraffe ambles over to investigate, it feels genuinely special.
The grounds themselves are lush and beautifully planted, with rainforest-style sections, towering palms and shady avenues that make you feel a long way from the city.
The zoo is broadly divided into different geographic zones, which makes it easy to plan your visit. In the African Savannah, kids can see favourites such as giraffes, lions, rhinos and zebras in a setting that feels like a slice of Africa transported to South Perth.
The Asian Rainforest is home to orangutans, Sumatran tigers and the much‑loved sun bears, along with a range of smaller mammals and birds.
The Australian Bushwalk and wetlands areas showcase our own backyard, with kangaroos, koalas, dingoes, wombats, reptiles and native birdlife, and are a great way for kids to understand just how special Australian wildlife is.
Newer additions and upgrades, such as the impressive Gibbon Crossing, give families fresh reasons to return, even if you’ve visited many times before.
Throughout the day, free keeper talks and feeds take place at different exhibits. These are well worth seeking out, as the keepers share stories about each animal’s personality, how they’re cared for and what Perth Zoo is doing to help threatened species in the wild.
Zoorassic Park is another big reason families love visiting right now. Set in the former elephant enclosure, this immersive dinosaur trail features life‑sized, moving and roaring prehistoric giants, from a towering Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops to Apatosaurus, Stegosaurus, Baryonyx, Maiasaura and even Australia’s own Muttaburrasaurus and its hatchling.
Informative signage helps kids connect what they’re seeing to modern animals, while the Play‑leontology Pit lets budding palaeontologists dig for “fossils” and brush off buried bones.
Friendly Dino Keepers pop up to chat about extinction and caring for today’s wildlife, and there’s pram‑friendly access and fencing around the dinosaurs so little ones can safely get up close. Best of all, Zoorassic Park is included with general zoo admission, so you can enjoy dinosaurs and real animals in one big day out.
For something extra special, you can book a paid Close Encounter, which might include things like meeting giraffes up close, going behind the scenes in certain night quarters or learning more about the sun bears from their carers. Numbers for these experiences are limited and they do sell out, so it’s a good idea to book ahead via the zoo’s website.
Perth Zoo also runs a strong program of kids’ education experiences. For younger children, the long‑running Wild Explorers early childhood sessions introduce 2–5 year olds to a different animal each week through stories, songs, craft and a short walk to see the animal in the grounds.
For older children, there are school holiday adventure days (often known as Zoo Crew) where kids spend a full day at the zoo making enrichment treats, meeting animals and exploring parts of the zoo not usually open to the public, all with an educational twist. Session times, ages and prices can change from term to term, so it’s best to check the Kids and Youth Programs section of the Perth Zoo website when you’re planning.
The recently revitalised Perth Zoo Playground is an award‑winning, nature‑based play space designed for children of all abilities. It features an elevated “cloud” deck with mist, a 40‑metre network of rope tunnels, a climbable numbat sculpture, and a sand play area for toddlers. There’s also a wheelchair‑accessible trampoline and accessible toilets nearby.
The adjacent Habitat café offers food and drinks overlooking the Playground, making it a perfect spot for a break.
For an extra touch of nostalgia, the zoo also features the charming Streets Carousel which is over 100 year old! It operates daily for an additional fee from 11:00am to 3:00pm, with extended hours during school holidays from 10:00am to 4:00pm (last ride at 3:55pm).
When it comes to food, you’ve got options. Perth Zoo has a central café and kiosks selling hot and cold meals, snacks, drinks and ice creams, and there are vending machines and drink fountains dotted around the grounds. That said, many locals still prefer to pack a picnic or use the free barbecues, and then spread out under the trees or near the Playground. The combination of good shade, grassed areas and plenty of seating makes it simple to set up a relaxed base for the day.
If you think you’ll visit more than once in a year, a Perth Zoo membership (Zoo Friends) is worth considering. Members get unlimited entry for 12 months, discounts in the shop and cafés, and reciprocal benefits at several other major zoos around Australia.
The zoo also runs a changing calendar of events and themed experiences across the year – from special evening openings to dinosaur‑themed Zoorassic Park experiences and family days – so there’s nearly always something new on the “What’s On” page.
Whether you’re introducing toddlers to their first giraffe, entertaining overseas guests or spending a full day wandering the shady paths with older kids, Perth Zoo remains one of Perth’s most reliable, easy and rewarding family outings. With its strong conservation focus, engaging keeper talks, excellent Playground and thoughtful facilities, it’s the kind of place you can visit again and again and still discover something new.
Perth Zoo
Address: 20 Labouchere Road, South Perth WA 6151
Opening hours: Open every day of the year, 9:00am – 5:00pm (including Christmas Day and public holidays).
Website: https://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/
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Jennie McNichol is on a mission to prove there is always something fun to do in Perth. After 11 years in London working in the television industry for the BBC, Jennie moved to Perth in 2010 and founded Buggybuddys to silence the “nothing to do” crowd. Fifteen years later, it is the city’s number one guide for families, packed with daily inspiration and a huge focus on free local activities.
As a mum of two daughters, Jennie has evolved the site right alongside her own family—growing from a toddler-focused resource into a guide that supports parents through every stage, from the early years through to the teens. A passionate advocate for the WA lifestyle, Jennie loves helping families discover the best playgrounds, hidden gems, and budget-friendly days out in the most family-friendly city in the world.
