‘Awesome Aussie Highlights’

(particularly good for overseas travellers who are keen to see Australian species)

9.00 – 11.00 Australian Bushwalk

Many Australian species are most active at dawn and dusk when it is cooler (particularly in summer).

Make your way straight up to the Australian Bushwalk and spend an hour or so wandering amongst kangaroos, koalas, echidnas, emus, cockatoos, wombats and dingos.  At 10.30 (Oct – April) stop in at the Numbats Under Threat exhibit for a keeper talk and learn all about Western Australia’s mammal emblem, the Numbat. This charismatic and stunning little marsupial abandons its usually secretive ways when the zookeeper comes into the exhibit with its breakfast – a tasty mush of termites and egg-custard!

11.00 – 12.30 Reptiles, Penguins & Crocodiles

Visit the Reptile Encounter and take a peek at the huge range of Australian reptiles showcased there. Stay for the 11.15 keeper talk and learn all about ‘our scaly mates’. You may even have the chance to touch a snake or lizard.

Immediately following the reptile keeper talk, walk across the courtyard to the Penguin Plunge and learn all about the world's smallest penguin – the Little Penguin – from one of the zookeepers that works with them and watch them feed underwater during the keeper talk at 11.30.

Leave the penguins and wander further into the Australian Wetlands and check out the wetland birds and some rare reptiles. Take special note of Australia’s most endangered reptile, the Western Swamp Tortoise. Perth Zoo breeds this little tortoise for re-introduction to protected habitat north of Perth and has helped return it from near extinction. Then at 12.00, finish your wetland visit with our enormous Estuarine Crocodile and learn a bit about crocodiles from one of our volunteers before heading off to the cafeteria or the BBQ area for some lunch.

12.30 - Relaxing lunch

Enjoy a picnic lunch on the lawn using our free BBQ or tables. Or visit one of our convenient cafeterias near by and pick up a range of food and drink (vegetarian & health options available).