The Bird, Fish and Reptile Place in Wattle Grove is a quirky mix of garden centre, pet supply store and mini animal encounter, and it’s still a great low-cost outing for families. Long-time locals may remember it as “New Growth Bird, Plant & Fish Nursery”, and while these days it’s better known as Bird & Fish Place, the heart of the business remains the same – a family-run spot that’s been serving WA pet owners for over 50 years.
From the car park, kids are usually hooked before you even step inside. Larger‑than‑life garden statues greet you at the entrance, with a towering T‑Rex often stealing the show. Little dinosaur fans will love posing underneath its open jaws, and there are usually other fun characters nearby, like a big lizard, farm animals and gnomes.
On a warm day, the front fountains and water features are as fascinating as any Playground water play.
Inside, the shop is packed with everything for feathered, finned and furry pets. You’ll walk past rows of tropical fish tanks in all colours, small animals such as guinea pigs, and a good selection of bird supplies. The store has a big focus on quality pet products, stocking well-known brands, specialist foods and enrichment toys for birds, fish, dogs, cats, reptiles and small animals. If you’re setting up a home aquarium, aviary or even a backyard pond, you’ll find décor, pumps, filters, substrates, health products and more, plus helpful staff who really know their stuff.
Heading out into the garden area, the visit becomes part animal encounter, part sculpture trail.
There are aviaries with parrots and other birds to admire, and you may spot black cockatoos up close, which is always a thrill for kids who are used to seeing them only flying overhead.
Chickens are often for sale too, and tend to rush to the front of the aviaries in the hope of treats – a big hit with children dreaming of having their own backyard chooks.
Scattered throughout the nursery and garden section are more oversized statues to discover. A giant gorilla is a favourite photo stop, and there are tigers, llamas, wolves, frogs and native animals tucked amongst the plants.
Dinosaur fans can go on a little hunt for a triceratops and ankylosaurus, while older kids might be intrigued by the thylacine (Tasmanian tiger) statue.
There’s also a dramatic shark perfect for a toothy grin selfie. Wandering along paths, over small bridges and past more aviaries feels like a mini adventure, and younger children in particular will enjoy spotting “what’s next”.
Back indoors, you might hear the squawk of resident birds such as a blue and yellow macaw. These birds can be fascinating to watch, but it’s wise to remind little ones to keep fingers back from cages, as they’re not pets to pat. At the counter, there is usually an ice cream freezer or small treats available to buy, which makes for an easy end‑of‑outing reward.
One of the nicest things about The Bird, Fish and Reptile Place is that it’s genuinely budget-friendly. There’s no entry fee; you can simply wander, look at the animals and statues, and maybe pick up some pet supplies or a garden ornament if you wish. Many families will find the only cost is petrol for the drive and perhaps an ice cream. It’s an ideal option for an easy school holiday or weekend outing when you want to get out of the house but keep spending low.
Because it’s primarily a retail space, there’s no Playground as such, but between the statues, birds, fish tanks and garden décor, kids are usually well entertained for a short visit. It also makes a practical stop if you’re already in the area picking up pet food, aquarium gear or chicken supplies, as you can turn a quick shop into a fun half-hour explore. A nice idea is to pair your visit with a stop at a nearby café or garden centre, such as Dawson’s Garden World in Forrestfield, to make a longer Perth Hills adventure.
Overall, The Bird, Fish and Reptile Place is a charming old‑school favourite that continues to evolve with a modern, fully stocked online shop and a huge range of pet products, while still offering that slightly quirky, “only in Perth” combination of garden nursery, pet shop and giant statue trail. If you’re after a relaxed, low‑cost outing that will delight animal‑loving kids, it’s well worth a visit.
The Bird, Fish and Reptile Place
Address: Corner of Welshpool Road and Lewis Road, Wattle Grove, WA
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 9am – 5pm
Sunday: 10am – 4pm
Official website: https://birdandfishplace.com.au
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Holly Clark is mum of one, a self-confessed coffee addict and a baker of sweet treats. She studied Professional Writing and Editing, is a published author, and currently works in customer service when she’s not wrangling kids.
