Cottesloe beach to Perth Zoo 13 km (driving for approximately 23 minutes)
Perth CBD to Perth Zoo 4 km (driving for approximately 6 minutes)
HIGHLIGHTS:
Exploring Perth Zoo is a great way to spend the final day of your road trip.
Not only will you see lions, orangutans and other animals, but you’ll get the chance to learn about conservation and sustainability. Put aside some time to check out their award-winning breeding program for threatened native Australian animals too.
Aim to get there early, so you can visit all the exhibitions. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes, because you’ll be doing a lot of walking. The zoo has a free car park (it fills up fast on weekends) and a pre-paid car park. To save money, try and find a spot in one of the nearby streets.
Perth Zoo features some of the most beautiful gardens in Western Australia. There’s plenty of grass, shady areas, electric barbeques (free) and picnic tables, for enjoying a meal that you’ve brought with you. You can also eat at Wild Bites Cafe.
If you have small children, you can hire a two-seater wagon and pull them around the zoo, which heightens the adventure for them!
MEALS:
The Secret Garden Cafe & Patisserie is open for breakfast and lunch every day. The food is nourishing, full of flavour, reasonably priced and fills you up. Ask to sit out back in the secret garden, if you feel like enjoying your meal while dappled in sunlight. The cafe lives up to its name, since you don’t realise there’s a lush paradise waiting to be discovered when you arrive.
You want to visit Ciao Italia on an empty stomach, since the portions are incredibly generous and good value for money. Pasta, gourmet pizza, parmigiana, fresh salad and more – you can dine in, pick up or deliver to your hotel.
ACCOMMODATION:
Spend your last night in luxury at the Duxton Hotel – watching movies on the flat screen TV while ordering 24-hour room service. The staff are attentive and the rooms are comfortable. You’re treated to sweeping views of the Swan River from the higher floors.
