What’s a visit to Australia without at least visiting one of the animal parks? So we made a detour along the way of our Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail and headed to Caversham Wildlfe Park. The road was off the main route and it was rather quiet. It was too difficult to find as the map provided by the car rental was really detailed. A signboard along the way pointed us to the right direction.
The entrance to the park was rather confusing. There was an initial car park area but we couldn’t see Caversham. We saw lady who working at one of the buildings, without needing to ask, she just pointed the correct direction we should take. Approximately another 100 meters and there it was.
Interestingly The Caversham Wildlife Park is not government funded, but was a privately family run business. David and Pat together with their children David and Debbie managed the 200 species of 2000 animals, birds and reptiles in the wildlife park. They also frequently exchange animals with other zoos to expand their variety. Kudos to them for their love and care of wildlife park. ‘Tis no easy task to upkeep animals.
Purchasing our tickets (seniors get concession for their tickets, just show their passport for proof), we made our walk around the park and observing the various creatures. Some cages were housing flying foxes who were sleeping upside down like bats. After walking awhile we came to an enclosure that was the highlight of the tour in the park. Yes, you got it! Patting and feeding the kangaroos!
The kangaroos were very comfortable with visitors, maybe too familiar that they just didn’t pay much attention unless we fed them. Food pellets were available and we just grab some to feed the kangaroos. I think some of them were a little overfed. Ah, the good life, no need to hunt and scavenge for food, the kangaroos just enjoyed themselves in the sun and if they felt like it, they would approach the visitors for food pellets and of course the visitors get to pet on them.
After leaving the enclosure, we headed to another shed where we could take some pictures stand next to an owl, a parrot or sat on a bench with a big cuddly wombat who was sleeping soundly oblivious to all the tourist snapping photos. It seems that the wombat was neither a nocturnal nor day time animal. It comes out in between when the sun was either rising or setting. The park ranger gave a term for that, but I couldn’t quite remember what it was. No matter, a quick snap here and off we go.
Next we bump along the way into another enclosure, the Koalas. These nocturnal creatures were sleeping when we entered the cage. So more pictures taken standing next to them. The misnomer of calling them Koala bear when in fact they do not belong the bear family. They should just be simply called Koalas, the park ranger explained. Well, another lesson there.
We were spending a little too much time and needed to continue with our journey before the wineries and cafe closed and it was time to leave the Caversham Wildlife Park.
Related pages:
- Perth Western Australia
- Our Perth vacation itinerary guide
- Driving around Perth Australia
- Our accommodation at The Vines Apartment in Swan Valley Perth Australia
- Frementle port town, Western Australia
- Swan Valley food and wine trail guide
- Swan Valley: Oggies Ice-Cream
- Swan Valley: Black Swan Winery and Cafe
- Swan Valley: Caversham Wildlife Park