Perth Zoo

Perth Zoo opened in South Perth on 17 October 1898 and occupies about 17 hectares on the southern side of the Swan River, around five minutes from the city centre. It cares for roughly 1,300 animals from Australia and around the world, and keeper talks explain the conservation work behind many of the species on show.

The zoo is arranged into precincts. Australian Bushwalk and Australian Wetlands introduce native wildlife, the Asian Rainforest includes tigers, sun bears and a colony of Sumatran orangutans, and the African Savannah is laid out as a safari-style walk past rhinoceroses, lions and giraffes. Smaller areas include the Nocturnal House, Penguin Plunge, the Primate Trail and Reptile Encounter, grouped around the main lake.

Keeper talks and animal feeding presentations are included in the entry price, so it is worth checking the day's schedule when you arrive and planning your route around the animals you most want to see. For something more personal, the zoo sells Animal Close Encounters, behind-the-scenes experiences that can include meeting a giraffe or a Galapagos tortoise, or spending a day working alongside the keepers. These are booked in advance online.

The zoo is a good choice for families, with programmes aimed at children from toddlers to teenagers, and baby change rooms and lockers on site. It also suits wildlife enthusiasts of any age who want to see Australian animals up close in one place. Wheelchair access is provided, and dedicated ACROD parking bays are available for visitors who hold a valid permit.

Perth Zoo opens every day of the year, including public holidays, from 9am to 5pm, with occasional evening events at advertised times. General entry tickets are sold online, so buy before you go to save time at the gate. The zoo recommends allowing at least half a day, and a full day if you want to see every precinct at a relaxed pace. It can be reached by public transport, bike, on foot or by car from the city, and a combined morning at the zoo with an afternoon back in the centre around Elizabeth Quay makes a comfortable day.