Quokka
Setonix brachyurus
- Identify
- Rounded ears, a short face and a compact, wallaby-like body.
- Observe responsibly
- Often rests through the day and becomes more active later. Do not touch, feed or give it water; watch from a respectful distance.
Wildlife
Wildlife Attractions in Perth
Use this page to choose Perth wildlife attractions by animal interest, weather, transport and how much walking your group can handle. It covers Perth Zoo, Caversham Wildlife Park, AQWA, Rottnest quokka planning, Penguin Island, birdwatching places, marine wildlife and family wildlife pages.
Last updated: 2026-10-16
What are you looking at?
Three Perth animals, properly observed
Notice the field marks first. Then pause and read the animal’s behaviour without changing it.
Peregrine falcon
Falco peregrinus
- Identify
- A dark hood, barred pale underside and long, pointed wings in flight.
- Observe responsibly
- It hunts birds from above and may use cliffs or tall buildings. Stay on paths and keep well back from perches and nest sites.
Australian sea lion
Neophoca cinerea
- Identify
- A blunt muzzle, external ear flaps and front flippers strong enough to prop up its body.
- Observe responsibly
- Coming ashore to rest is normal. Never approach: DBCA recommends at least 30 m on land and requires greater separation in the water and from vessels.
Good wildlife watching leaves no trace. Give animals room, keep food packed away and let them choose whether to stay or move on.
Wildlife Planning
How To Choose Perth Wildlife Attractions
This page is for visitors comparing Perth Zoo, aquariums, wildlife parks, island wildlife, birdwatching places and marine wildlife pages. It is useful for family days out, rainy-day alternatives, animal-focused trips and planning around transport, weather and visitor rules.
Good first choices are Perth Zoo for a managed animal attraction close to the city, AQWA for marine-life displays near Hillarys, Caversham Wildlife Park for a larger wildlife-park outing, Rottnest Island quokka pages for island wildlife rules, Penguin Island and Shoalwater pages for marine access checks, and birdwatching pages for lower-key nature planning.
Choose by time, weather, budget and transport. Perth Zoo and AQWA can be easier to compare with city or northern-coast plans. Rottnest Island, Penguin Island and marine tours need more time and current ferry or operator checks. For families, check pram access, food options, shade, toilets and age suitability before committing.
Quick Choices
Quick wildlife choices
- Best city-side animal day: Perth Zoo with South Perth Foreshore.
- Best marine-life backup: AQWA at Hillarys when beach conditions are not the plan.
- Best Swan Valley wildlife plan: Caversham Wildlife Park with Whiteman Park or Swan Valley stops.
- Best island wildlife plan: Rottnest Island, after checking ferry, weather and quokka rules.
- Best low-key nature plan: birdwatching and lake pages when you want a quieter outdoor stop.
Managed Attractions
Zoos, Wildlife Parks And Aquariums
Compare managed animal attractions by weather, walking effort and location, then confirm tickets, access and current visitor rules.
Perth Zoo
Plan a Perth Zoo visit with animal highlights, current ticket prices, keeper talks, a suggested route, ferry directions and practical family access advice.
- South Perth
- Zoo
- Best for
- Families, wildlife, South Perth visits
- Area
- South Perth
- Time needed
- Varies by animal areas, talks and visitor pace
- Good without a car
- South Perth area
Caversham Wildlife Park
Plan Caversham Wildlife Park with koala and wombat experiences, current prices, a half-day schedule, train directions and family accessibility information.
- Whiteman Park / Swan Valley area
- Wildlife park
- Best for
- Families, native wildlife, Whiteman Park visits
- Area
- Whiteman Park / Swan Valley area
- Cost
- $39 adult; $18 child aged 3-14; $30 eligible WA concession
- Time needed
- Varies by shows, animal areas and visitor pace
- Good without a car
- Possible
AQWA
Plan a visit to AQWA at Hillarys: shark tunnel, seadragons, coral displays, tickets, seasonal hours, family facilities and accessible transport advice.
- Hillarys Boat Harbour
- Aquarium
- Varies by ticket type and visitor pace
- Best for
- Families, marine life, rainy day planning
- Area
- Hillarys Boat Harbour
- Cost
- Ticketed attraction; buy online or at the entrance and check current prices
- Time needed
- Varies by ticket type and visitor pace
- Good without a car
- Hillarys Boat Harbour area
Island And Nature Days
Island Wildlife And National Park Days
These longer outdoor plans need current ferry, seasonal, weather, access and wildlife-rule checks.
Rottnest Island
Plan your Rottnest Island visit with ferry comparisons, beaches, cycling and bus routes, quokka viewing, Wadjemup history and current access information.
- Rottnest Island
- Island day trip
- Check ferry, admission and booking details
- Full-day planning for most visitors
- Best for
- Beaches, cycling, day trips
- Area
- Rottnest Island
- Cost
- Check ferry, admission and booking details
- Time needed
- Full-day planning for most visitors
Penguin Island
Penguin Island is a small conservation island off Shoalwater with seasonal public access, seabird habitat, boardwalks and ferry-based visitor trips.
- Shoalwater, Rockingham
- Island conservation park
- Best for
- Seasonal island walks, conservation interpretation and marine-park day trips
- Area
- Shoalwater, Rockingham
- Cost
- No island entry charge; ferry and tours are paid
- Time needed
- Half day including ferry and mainland check-in
- Good without a car
- Possible
Yanchep National Park
Choose a koala visit, Crystal Cave tour and named walk, with prices, picnic information and practical access advice.
- National park
- Best for
- Nature, walking, day trips
- Cost
- Standard vehicle $17; concession $10; valid park pass accepted; cave tickets extra
- Time needed
- 2-3 hours for a short visit; half a day with a cave tour and picnic
- Good without a car
- Easier by car
More Verified Wildlife
More Verified Wildlife Guides
These additional wildlife guides have completed the current editorial checks.
Island wildlife
Quokkas on Rottnest Island
Quokkas live wild on Wadjemup / Rottnest Island, and watching one forage can be the quiet highlight of a visit. They are not pets or performers. You may see them around the main settlement, or further along an island walk or ride. Give yourself time for the whole island rather than trying to arrange a close-up “quokka selfie.”
- Island wildlife
- Best for
- Day trips, island wildlife, responsible viewing
Island reserve
Heirisson Island
Heirisson Island sits between East Perth and Victoria Park in the Swan River. It has a long Nyoongar cultural history and a fenced kangaroo area, but a visit should be about more than trying to tick off an animal sighting. Give yourself time to walk, read signs and notice how the river divides around the island.
- Island reserve
- Best for
- River areas, walking, outdoor visits
Family park
Whiteman Park
Whiteman Park can fill most of a day: bushland, picnic areas, playgrounds and transport heritage are spread over a large site. Park entry is free , while museums, rides or booked activities may have separate prices and hours. Decide on a few stops instead of arriving at the main gate and expecting everything to be within one short walk.
- Family park
- Best for
- Families, parks, outdoor visits
Dolphin tour
Rockingham dolphins
Rockingham’s sheltered bays and islands give visitors a chance to see wild dolphins south of Perth. You can watch from shore, take a wildlife cruise or book a licensed in-water trip. Those are different experiences with different rules. No guide or boat can promise a dolphin will appear at a set time.
- Dolphin tour
- Best for
- Marine wildlife, licensed operators, day trips
Seasonal marine wildlife planning guide
Whale watching in Perth: seasons, cruises and shore lookouts
Compare Perth whale-watching seasons, cruise departure points, current published fares and Rottnest shore lookouts.
- Seasonal marine wildlife planning guide
- Best for
- Visitors comparing a spring cruise, a longer specialist trip or patient shore watching from Rottnest Island
- Area
- Perth coast, Fremantle, Hillarys and Wadjemup / Rottnest Island
- Cost
- Cruises are paid; established shore lookouts are free after island travel and access costs
- Time needed
- Allow at least half a day for a short cruise, or a separate full outing for Rottnest shore watching or a blue-whale expedition
- Good without a car
- Possible
Birdwatching area guide
Birdwatching in Perth
You can watch wetland birds without leaving Perth for a long country drive. Herdsman Lake, Galup and Bibra Lake each offer a different walk and a chance to slow down. The best outing is often a short stretch with good views, not a race around a whole lake. Species and numbers change with the season, water level and time of day.
- Birdwatching area guide
- Best for
- Birdwatching, nature reserves, quiet walks
Family wildlife attraction guide
Wildlife with kids in Perth
A good animal day with children is one that suits their attention span, the weather and the journey home. Perth has free wetland walks, paid wildlife attractions and island trips. Choose one main activity and allow space for a snack or a change of plan. Wild animals may be out of sight; a booked zoo visit and a wetland birdwatch offer different kinds of certainty.
- Family wildlife attraction guide
- Best for
- Families, wildlife checks, supervised visits
Marine park
Shoalwater Islands Marine Park
Shoalwater Islands Marine Park covers coastal water and islands off Rockingham. You can enjoy the view from shore, book a wildlife cruise or, when access is permitted, take a ferry to Penguin Island. These choices have different costs and conditions. The park is home to sensitive habitat as well as popular water activities, so decide where you are going before launching a boat or entering the water.
- Marine park
- Best for
- Marine wildlife, day trips, official access checks
Marine wildlife guide
Marine wildlife near Perth
The water around Perth holds more than one kind of wildlife outing. A short shore snorkel reveals reef and seagrass life; a boat trip around Shoalwater may pass dolphins or Australian sea lions; a Rottnest day offers another coast altogether. These are wild animals in changing conditions. Plan for the place and the experience, not a guaranteed encounter.
- Marine wildlife guide
- Best for
- Marine wildlife, licensed operators, official access checks
Lake reserve
Herdsman Lake Regional Park
Herdsman Lake is a wetland visit close to the city. Birds and open water draw walkers, but the shore is habitat rather than a swimming spot. The whole park is larger than one picnic area, so pick an access point and a realistic walking distance before heading out.
- Lake reserve
- Best for
- Lake walks, birdlife, nature
Lake reserve
Galup (Lake Monger)
The Town of Cambridge now calls this reserve Galup , although older maps and directions still use Lake Monger. The lake and surrounding paths are good for an easy walk and birdwatching. Its water is protected wetland habitat, so come for the shore and lookouts rather than a paddle or a fishing trip.
- Lake reserve
- Best for
- Lake walks, birdlife, outdoor visits
Conservation reserve
Bold Park
Bold Park is a large piece of coastal bushland above City Beach. Its draw is walking among native vegetation and looking out from Reabold Hill, not manicured flowerbeds or an all-day picnic lawn. Start with the length and surface of the walk you want, especially if you have only an hour.
- Conservation reserve
- Best for
- Walking, nature, reserves
National park
John Forrest National Park
John Forrest rewards a full day more than a rushed waterfall stop. There are picnic sites, winter-flowing falls, historic railway country and tracks ranging from a short stroll to a more demanding walk. The park is also being improved, so check the current trail and parking notices before following an older map.
- National park
- Best for
- Nature, walking, day trips
Walking area
Bells Rapids
Bells Rapids is best approached as a river walk with changing conditions, not as a guaranteed white-water spectacle. The bridge and surrounding countryside draw people during the Avon Descent and after winter rain. The river can rise quickly; the same water that makes the rapids dramatic makes the banks and rocks dangerous.
- Walking area
- Best for
- Walking, river areas, day trips
Families
Planning Wildlife Visits With Children
Use the family hub for age fit, facilities and realistic day planning. For every wildlife visit, confirm current supervision, access and animal rules before travelling.
Map
Wildlife Map
Browse wildlife attraction links by area and wildlife type without loading a heavy map script on this page.
South Perth
Whiteman Park
Hillarys
Rottnest Island
Rockingham And Shoalwater
Birdwatching And Nature
FAQ
Wildlife FAQ
Which wildlife attractions in Perth are best for families?
Family suitability depends on official rules, supervision guidance, weather, access and current conditions.
Can I touch or feed wildlife in Perth?
Do not touch or feed wild animals. For managed attractions, follow official supervised experience rules only.
Are wildlife sightings guaranteed?
Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. Check official information and licensed operators where relevant.
Can I visit wildlife attractions without a car?
Some pages are grouped for car-free planning, but transport details need checking. Check Transperth and official ferry or operator information before travelling.
Is Penguin Island always open?
Penguin Island access may change because of season, weather or heat conditions. Check official access information before visiting.