- Duration
- 1 day, ~130 km by car (≈ 7 h 52 min: moving and stop time only)
- Who it suits
- With kids
- Transport
- drive
- Start
- Caversham Wildlife Park
- Finish
- Yanchep NP: koalas & kangaroos
- Pace
- relaxed pace
- Best time
- Start in the morning: the animals are livelier before the midday heat
- Budget per adult
- Caversham A$37 / child A$17; Yanchep A$17 per vehicle; the rest is freePrices as of: July 2026; transport and zoo prices October 2026
Getting there
Go by car. The parks are spread north of the city.
Stops in order
The text version of the route: stops, time at each and the legs between them. Times are estimates, without queues, traffic or swims.
1. Caversham Wildlife Park~2 h 30 min at the stop
Perth's flagship wildlife park: hand-feed kangaroos, pose beside koalas and wombats, and catch the farm show.
Worth knowing: The park sits inside Whiteman Park, a huge free park on Perth's northern edge, so you can stay on for a picnic or a playground after the animals.
Tip: Price: A$37 / child A$17. Open daily 9:00–16:30, last entry 15:30. Come at opening: the koala queue is short and the kangaroos are hungry. The closest free parking is Car park 8.
Open on the map ↗↓ drive · 5 min · 2 km
2. Whiteman Park heritage tram (free entry)~1 h 30 min at the stop
A huge free park around the wildlife park: heritage trams shuttle between the village and transport museums, playgrounds everywhere.
Tip: It's a handy picnic stop: the park has dozens of tables and barbecue areas.
Open on the map ↗↓ drive · 7 min · 3.5 km
3. Margaret River Chocolate Co (free tastings)~45 min at the stop
The Margaret River Chocolate Company factory on West Swan Road, 20 minutes from the CBD: free tastings and two windows straight into production.
Tip: Open daily 9:00–17:00 except Christmas Day. There are more Swan Valley food stops nearby if the kids still have energy.
Open on the map ↗↓ drive · 55 min · 56 km
4. Yanchep NP: koalas & kangaroos~2 h at the stop
Koalas along a raised boardwalk and mobs of western grey kangaroos on the lawns: near-guaranteed sightings half an hour from town.
Tip: Price: A$17/vehicle. Kangaroos are almost certain early morning and towards evening on the Bull Banksia Oval lawn. Crystal Cave tours are sold separately at the McNess House Visitor Centre. No dogs in the park.
Open on the map ↗
Before you go
- Route times are estimates: walking, driving and a sensible pause at each stop. Add queues, traffic and swims yourself.
- Prices, timetables and trail status change. Check the venue's official site and the state transport app before you go.
- On beaches, swim only between the red and yellow flags. Use sun protection even when it is cloudy.