Caversham Wildlife Park Review 2023 by a Local
Caversham Wildlife Park is a must-see tourist attraction in Western Australia. It’s home to many interesting animals, including kangaroos, wombats, koalas, and more. There are also picnic areas, so it’s perfect for a family day out.
Being a Perth family, we visit this animal park on a regular basis and bring any overseas visitors here.
This Caversham Wildlife Park review provides you with all the inside tips to make the most of your day here.
Caversham Wildlife Park Review
How far is Caversham Wildlife Park from Perth?
PLEASE NOTE – Due to the installation of Metronet, there are road works and road closures surrounding Whiteman Park.
It will take you half an hour by car to travel the 15km from the centre of Perth to Whiteman Park, where it is located. The address is 233 Drumpellier Drive (formerly Lord Street) in Swan Valley. There are three entrances to Whiteman Park – Drumpellier Drive, Beechboro Road North, and Dulwich Street.
Car Parking is free inside Whiteman Park, and the closest car park is number 8.
There are car hire booths at Perth airport, but it’s best to pre-book your car rental.
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If travelling by public transport, catch the 955 bus from Morley Station or Bassendean Station to Ellenbrook (get off at the Whiteman Park entrance on Drumpellier Drive). It’s a 15-minute walk from there.
You can use the Transperth Journey Planner to plan your travel.
Caversham Wildlife Park Prices (as of December 2022)
The admission prices are A$32 per adult and A$15 per child (3 years to 14 years). The entrance fee includes animal food, interactive experiences, photo opportunities (excluding koala hold), and shows.
Caversham Wildlife Park is operated and owned by a Western Australian family and doesn’t receive any funding from the government. So, by visiting this attraction, you are helping with the upkeep of the animals.
You can’t usually buy cheap tickets or get discounts for Caversham Wildlife Park, so be wary of anyone selling them at lower prices.
Caversham Wildlife Park Opening Hours (as of December 2022)
The opening hours are 9.00 am to 4.30 pm every day of the year except Christmas Day.
Last entry is 3.30pm.
Caversham Wildlife Park Animal Shows/ Encounters Information and Times
There are six animal encounters at Caversham Wildlife Park.
Meet The Wombat and Friends
Meet the Wombat and Friends is open at set times (11.00 am & 2.00 pm). I recommend going to the earlier slot as it gets busier as the day goes on. We queued to have our photo taken with the wombat first and then went around to look at the other animals in this exhibit. There are about twenty animals on display, where you can take photos and talk to the keeper (we even got to hold a snake).
Note that you can no longer hold the wombat, so your photo will be with the keeper. There is no charge for the photos taken with your camera.
Meet the Koalas
You can meet the koalas and have your photo taken with them (again at no charge) at these set times:
11.30 am and 3.30 pm
Please note that you cannot hold the koala yourself but can pat them. They are sometimes in their keeper’s arms or on a small tree.
Farm Show
This farm show is worth going to, and fascinating to learn about life on an Australian farm. You will see sheep shearing, learn how to crack a whip, swing a billy, milk a cow, and watch sheepdogs muster the sheep. The dogs were the stars of the show.
10.00 am, 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm Daily.
Penguin Feeding
The penguins are fed at 12 pm. Be quick, as it doesn’t take them long to eat their food, but you will learn about these cute birds at the same time.
Molly’s Farm
All the kids (big and little) love this part of the park. There are different enclosures with various farm animals; some you can enter and interact with them. The goats and lambs are adorable and would happily sit there while you stroked them.
Open from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm.
Kangaroo Enclosure
The girls and I adore kangaroos, and these ones are relaxed and enjoy a pat. You can hand-feed the kangaroos from food in a bucket but be warned, they are fed so much that many aren’t hungry! You can still give them a stroke, and it’s a wonderful experience. It’s the only place I have seen white kangaroos.
Open 9.00 am to 4.30 pm.
There are plenty of other animals around the park. Listen out for the kookaburra laugh, and look for the cute echidnas. Also, see if you can spot the wombats (who always seem asleep when we visit).
Caversham Wildlife Park is the largest private collection of Aussie wildlife in Western Australia.
Caversham Wildlife Park Map
Caversham Wildlife Park maps are given to you upon entry with times for the shows. Use these to plan your time there.
Caversham Wildlife Park Café / Food
Caversham Wildlife park doesn’t have an on-site café, but the kiosk sells hot and cold drinks, ice creams, snacks, and some light meals. You can leave the park and re-enter, providing you get your hand stamped before leaving. We usually take a picnic which we keep in the car until ready to eat.
Caversham Wildlife Park Gift Shop
Caversham Wildlife Gift Shop sells an extensive range of Australian souvenirs, including jewellery, soft toys, local honey, and books.
Caversham Wildlife Park vs Perth Zoo
Caversham Wildlife Park and Perth Zoo are great family activities and are always on my list to take international visitors. If you want to see more native animals up close, Caversham Wildlife Park is the best option. Perth Zoo is better for experiencing the larger animals (although you will still see Australian wildlife there).
Caversham Wildlife Park is perfect for families with young children as they can interact with many Australian animals and not get bored. The enclosures are large, and the animals seem very content and well looked after. The keepers are friendly and passionate about their job.
The downside is the location for tourists or people without a car. The zoo is centrally located in Perth, but Caversham Wildlife Park is hard to get to by public transport (although possible).
Tips for visiting Caversham Wildlife Park
- Get there early
- Allow at least three hours
- Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
- Check when entering for up-to-date activity times
- Bring your own water bottle with you
- Get your hand stamped before you leave in case you want to come back
- Pack some food and have a picnic in the grounds of Whiteman Park
- Take a rain jacket if rain is forecast (it can pour down!)
- On a warm day, bring bathers for the kids so they can play in the splash pool in Whiteman Park
If you are looking for other animal encounters, why don’t you consider a stay at a farm like Ferguson Valley Farmstay or Diamond Forest Farmstay?
Western Australia Travel Guide
For other ideas on where to visit in Western Australia along with the best things to do, where to stay, how to get around, and other essential information, click on the link below.
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