My very first toy as a kid was a stuffed koala named Karly. Ever since, I’ve been fascinated by these adorable marsupials. Even now, spotting a koala in the wild or at a park fills me with excitement and I want to help you experience the same excitement by spotting koalas in Perth!
If you love koalas as much as me, you’ll be pleased to know there are several places to see them in Perth. While other locations offer koala viewing and holding experiences, I recommend Yanchep National Park, Caversham Wildlife Park, and Perth Zoo. While koalas aren’t native to Western Australia, these spots allow you to observe koalas in environments that resemble their natural habitat and they also play a significant role in conservation efforts.
Perth Mini Guide
While you’re here for the koalas, don’t miss these top spots
Where to Stay
- Ritz Carlton (elegant and central)
- Quest South Perth Foreshore (great for families)
Things to Do
- Swim with dolphins!
- Meet the quokkas on Rottnest
- Visit Perth Zoo
- Visit the Pinnacles at sunset for stargazing
Where to Eat
- Little Bay (Great brunch on the way to Yanchep)
- Wildflower (fine dining inspired by the Noongar six seasons)
Keep reading for all the details on where to see koalas in Perth and even where you can hold one for an unforgettable wildlife experience!
Where to see Koalas in Perth
If you want to find koalas in Perth, I’ve got you covered! Read on for all the information you need on where to see koalas in Perth and special experiences at each.
Yanchep National Park
Yanchep National Park is one of Western Australia’s oldest National Parks and is located roughly 45 minutes north of the city. It’s well known for its diverse wildlife which includes its adorable wildlife colony.
Yanchep National Park is my personal favourite spot to see koalas in Perth because you get to see them in a natural setting. There’s a Koala Viewing Area which features a 240-metre long, wheelchair accessible boardwalk that winds through a forest of eucalyptus trees – so you can see koalas in their natural habitat chowing down on delicious eucalyptus leaves! Entry onto the boardwalk is included in your park entry fee.
As well as the Koalas, there’s plenty of great stuff to see at Yanchep National Park. There are beautiful grassy areas, great for a picnic with the song of native birds in the background, some fantastic walking trails (my favourite is the Yanchep Rose Trail) and some eerie limestone caves to explore.
Yanchep National Park is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and standard park entry fees apply:
Park Entry Fees
| Vehicle Type | Standard | Concession |
| Standard vehicle (12 or fewer occupants) | $17 per vehicle | $10 per vehicle |
| Large Vehicle (More than 12 occupants) | $8 per person | $3.5 per person |
| Motorbike | $10 | No Concession |
Yanchep National Park is located at Yanchep Beach Road & Indian Ocean Dr, Yanchep WA 6035
Read next: Ultimate Guide To The Hamelin Bay Stingrays
Caversham Wildlife Park
Caversham Wildlife Park is located within Whiteman Park, just 30 minutes from Perth, and it’s a must for visitors to Perth! Along with koalas, you can see more than 2000 native animals across 200 species on a day out at Caversham, including kangaroos, wallabies, possums, reptiles, Tasmanian devils and adorable wombats.
You can see koalas at any time at Caversham Wildlife Park, but one of the park’s highlights is the chance to meet and hold koalas!
Meet a Koala
Here you can meet a koala and have your photo taken with the iconic Aussie marsupial while they sit perched in a shoulder-height tree. This experience is included with your entry fee and runs at 9:00am, 11:30 am and 3:30pm daily.
Hold a Koala
For an extra special experience, Caversham Wildlife Park offers koala holding, where you can get your photo taken with an adorable koala in your arms!
Tickets to hold a koala are $35 per person (on top of your park entry fee) and places are limited so get in quick – tickets can be purchased from the souvenir shop from 9:00 am each day. They follow some strict rules for this experience to ensure health and safety of the koalas, so check the Health and Safety Conditions for all guidelines.
Caversham Wildlife Park also does some pretty great conservation work, supporting wildlife conservation through education, breeding programs for endangered species, contributions to global research, and monthly fundraisers for conservation organisations.
Caversham Wildlife park entry fees are $35 per adult and $16 for children 3-14 years. The park operates daily from 9:00am to 4:30pm, excluding Christmas Day.
Caversham Wildlife Park is located at Whiteman Park, Whiteman Drive East, Whiteman WA 6068
Read next: Where to See Black Swans in Perth
Perth Zoo
Located in South Perth, just 7 minutes from the CBD, Perth Zoo is well worth a visit for any animal lover! If you want to check out koalas, head to the Australian Bushwalk section where you can spot the adorable marsupials as they rest and munch on eucalyptus leaves.
While you can view koalas here, Perth Zoo doesn’t allow visitors to hold them, to ensure well-being of the animals.
Other Aussie favourites you can check out are emus, dingoes, quokkas, echidnas and kangaroos. As well as Australian animals you can also check out plenty of international animals like elephants, giraffes, orangutans, meerkats and my personal favourite, the super cute otters!
Perth Zoo is dedicated to wildlife conservation through breeding and release programs, as well as supporting global conservation projects, and conducting vital research to inform species management
Perth Zoo is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, including all public holidays. Entry fees are $38.10 for adults and $19.05 for children 4-15 years old.
Perth Zoo is located at 20 Labouchere Road, South Perth WA 6151
Koala Conservation in Australia
Koala conservation is important for safeguarding one of Australia’s most iconic and beloved species, which faces significant threats from habitat loss, disease, and climate change.
Although koalas are not native to Western Australia, conservation efforts in places like Yanchep National Park, Caversham Wildlife Park, and Perth Zoo help raise awareness about their plight while providing safe environments where people can learn about and appreciate these unique marsupials.
By focusing on education, habitat preservation, and breeding programs, these initiatives contribute to the broader effort to protect koalas across Australia, ensuring they continue to thrive for future generations.
Read next: Where to See Kangaroos in Perth: Wild Encounters & Close-Up Experiences!
10 Interesting Facts About Koalas
Here are 10 interesting facts to know about koalas before you visit.
- Not Bears: Koalas are marsupials, not bears, and carry their babies in a pouch
- Big Sleepers: They sleep up to 22 hours a day to save energy
- Human-Like Fingers: Koalas have fingerprints just like humans
- No Need for Water: They get most of their water from eucalyptus leaves
- Fussy Eaters: Koalas only eat certain types of eucalyptus leaves
- Tiny Joeys: Baby koalas, called joeys, are the size of a jellybean at birth
- Tree Lovers: Koalas spend most of their time in trees
- Loud Calls: Males make deep bellows during mating season
- Facing Threats: Habitat loss and disease put koalas at risk
- Ancient Animals: Koalas have been around for over 20 million years
Read this next: How and Where to See Quokkas on Rottnest Island: Tips for the perfect Quokka Selfie!
Last Words on Where to See Koalas in Perth
Koalas are one of Australia’s most iconic animals, and Perth offers some fantastic places to see them up close, like Yanchep National Park, Caversham Wildlife Park, and Perth Zoo. These encounters let you connect with these iconic animals while supporting important conservation efforts – an unforgettable Perth experience!
Perth and Western Australia is home to plenty of amazing wildlife experiences. Check out my guides to the Hamelin Bay stingrays, Jurien Bay sea lions, whale watching for more bucket list experiences.
Travel Planning Tools
Planning your Perth trip? These are the tools and services I personally use and recommend:
⭐ Travel Insurance: I recommend Cover-More for reliable, no-fuss cover. I never travel without insurance for peace of mind.
⭐ Accommodation: I usually compare prices and book on Booking.com it’s easy to use and offers flexible bookings.
⭐ Car Hire: I always use DiscoverCars because it’s easy to compare prices across rental companies. It’s often cheaper than booking direct and ideal for road trips around WA.
⭐ Tours & Activities: I book through Viator, GetYourGuide, and Experience Oz. All three offer great local experiences with flexible cancellation, from wildlife parks to cruises.
⭐ Stay Connected: I use Saily to set up an eSIM before I leave home. Super easy, no roaming bill-shock, and no need to hunt for a SIM at the airport.
⭐ Outdoor Gear: If you’re camping or heading off-grid, check out Anaconda or BCF. I’ve found them both reliable for outdoor and camp gear.
✏️ Want help planning? I offer a travel consultation service if you’d like help planning your Perth itinerary, finding local gems, or just making the most of your time here.
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