Caversham Wildlife Park, Swan Valley: What animals can I see?
The Caversham Wildlife Park in the Swan Valley near Perth offers koala-holding experiences, the chance to get a photo taken with a wombat and various intimidating reptiles.
The Caversham Wildlife Park in the Swan Valley just outside Perth is one of Western Australia’s best wildlife parks. It’s in Whiteman Park, about 18km north-west of Perth CBD, and offers an impressive array of animal encounters.
DON’T MISS OUT! 9 fabulous Perth experiences to book today ✅
- ✅ See the Rottnest Island quokkas the smart way – with a ferry and bike package.
- ✅ Be amazed by the abundant wildlife – on a dolphin, penguin and sealion cruise.
- ✅ See clear night skies in a moon-like desert – on a Pinnacles stargazing experience.
- ✅ Indulge in chocolate, cheese & premium wines – on a Swan Valley food and wine tour.
- ✅ See the city sunset from the water – on a Swan River dinner cruise.
- ✅ Watch gold being melted and poured – on a Perth Mint gold tour.
- ✅ Combine nature with imperious city views – on Kings Park Segway tour.
- ✅ Face your fears and get the thrill of your life on a – on a 15,000ft skydive.
- ✅ Find all the best hidden hangouts – on a small bar and street art tour.
Hold a koala near Perth
Best known of these are the koala cuddles. Caversham Wildlife Park is one of only a few places in Australia where visitors may hold a koala. These koala holding sessions cost $30, and strict measures are in place to ensure the welfare of both koalas and visitors. The koalas are rotated to ensure none of them are overworked, and if it’s too hot, the koala-holding sessions don’t take place.
If paying an extra $30 seems a bit steep, then it’s free to have your photo taken next to a koala.
Caversham Wildlife Park animal encounters
These koala photo encounters take place at 11.30am and 3.30pm daily.
Other photo opportunities along these lines include the Meet The Wombat and Friends session. These allow visitors to get close to a rotating cast of the park’s animals, although the wombats are clearly the stars.
It’s also possible to hand-feed the kangaroos, and learn all about penguins at the noon penguin feeding session.
The animals at the Caversham Wildlife Park are primarily Australian. That said, there are occasional interlopers such as the European red fox and llama. Of the Australian mammals, the favourites include the dingo and the echidna. In the marsupials section, you’ll find quokkas, swamp wallabies, long-nosed potoroos, sugar gliders and spotted tail quolls.
5 great day trips from Perth – make your visit special
- Rottnest Island ferry transfer – with bike hire and snorkelling gear. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- The Pinnacles desert – with koalas 🐨 and sandboarding.
- Wave Rock day tour – with wildflowers & Aboriginal culture.
- Margaret River wineries experience 🍷 – with tastings, caves & Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.
- Full day Swan Valley wine tour 🍷– with lunch.
Native birds at Caversham Wildlife Park
There are plenty of Australian native birds on show at Caversham, too. These include the southern cassowary, the blue-winged kookaburra, the tawny frogmouth, the emu and the gang gang cockatoo.
Considerably less cute are the reptiles, and there are some big boys amongst them. These include the perentie, olive python, freshwater crocodile and lace monitor.
Caversham Wildlife Park entry price
Entrance to the Caversham Wildlife Park costs $30 for adults and $14 for children. Book tickets via the park website.
Other things to do in the Swan Valley wine region include beer tasting at the Mash Brewery and wine tasting at the likes of Oakover Grounds and Mandoon Estate. You can also try bush tucker experiences at the Maalinup Aboriginal Gallery in Henley Brook.
More Western Australia travel
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Stop at the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park on the drive from Broome to Derby.
Stay at Cocklebiddy or Balladonia on the Eucla to Norseman drive.
Admire the 8,000 square metre Wellington Dam mural near Collie.
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