At a glance
- By bus
- Routes 30 and 31 run between Perth Busport, Elizabeth Quay Bus Station and the Perth Zoo entrance (stop 11847); boarding at Elizabeth Quay is the fastest, at about 6 minutes
- By ferry
- From Elizabeth Quay Jetty about every 15 minutes (September to June) or every 30 minutes (June to September), around 10 minutes, then a 500 metre walk from Mends Street Jetty
- By car
- The Zoo says there is a range of paid, timed parking around it; the City of South Perth gives the first hour free, with an active parking session, at selected foreshore car parks and roadside areas
- Who it’s for
- Anyone heading to Perth Zoo, 20 Labouchere Road, South Perth, which is open 9am to 5pm every day of the year
- What to do now
- Start a parking session on the machine or the EasyPark app even for the free hour, set a reminder before it ends, and read the sign on your street
- Last checked
- Monday 9 November 2026, against the Perth Zoo and City of South Perth pages
- Not yet confirmed
- Which of the City’s machine car parks are closest to the Zoo gate (the Zoo’s own parking page points to the City’s page and gives no street list), and what the paid rate is after the free hour
The simplest way to reach Perth Zoo from the city is the 30 or 31 bus from Elizabeth Quay, which takes about six minutes, or the ferry across Perth Water. If you drive, parking around the Zoo is paid and timed, and the City of South Perth gives the first hour free at selected spots if you start a parking session.
This guide uses the Perth Zoo “Getting Here and Opening Hours” page and the City of South Perth parking page, checked on Monday 9 November 2026. Perth uses Australian Western Standard Time (UTC+8), with no daylight saving.
When is Perth Zoo open?
The Zoo says it opens 9am to 5pm every day of the year, including Christmas Day, Good Friday, Australia Day and New Year’s Day. It also opens for special evening events, which it advertises separately. The address is 20 Labouchere Road, South Perth WA 6151, just across the river from the Perth CBD.
How do I get to the Zoo by bus and train?
Routes 30 and 31 run between Perth Busport (on Wellington Street), Elizabeth Quay Bus Station and the Zoo entrance, at stop 11847. The buses on these routes are low-floor and accessible. The Zoo recommends boarding at Elizabeth Quay Bus Station for the fastest trip from the CBD, which takes 6 minutes.
| If you are on this train line | Get off at | Then |
|---|---|---|
| Joondalup or Mandurah | Elizabeth Quay Train Station | Walk next door to Elizabeth Quay Bus Station and catch route 30 or 31 |
| Midland, Armadale, Thornlie or Fremantle | Perth Station | Walk next door to Perth Busport and catch route 30 or 31 |
For timetables and prices, the Zoo points to Transperth on 13 62 13 and suggests using “Perth Zoo” as the destination or departure landmark on the journey planner. Our guide to Transperth fares and Go Anywhere tickets covers what the trip costs.
Can I take the ferry?
Yes. Ferries leave Elizabeth Quay Jetty in the CBD every 15 minutes daily from September to June, and every 30 minutes daily from June to September, according to the Zoo. The crossing takes about 10 minutes. From the Mends Street Jetty in South Perth it is a 500 metre walk to the Zoo, past shops and restaurants.
Where can I park near Perth Zoo?
The Zoo says it is only a five-minute drive from the city centre, and tells drivers to take the Mill Point Road exit ramp from the freeway, from both the north and the south. It adds that there is a range of paid, timed parking around the Zoo and links to the City of South Perth for the options. The City runs the parking, so its rules decide what you pay and how long you stay.
| Option | What the City of South Perth says |
|---|---|
| Machine car parks and roadside areas on the South Perth Foreshore | The first hour is free if you get an active parking session from the machine or start one on the EasyPark app |
| Ratepayers | Can apply for an extra free hour in those zones, a total of two hours |
| South Shore Shopping Centre undercover car park (off South Perth Esplanade) | First hour free |
| Mends Street Arcade car park (off Harper Terrace) | First hour free |
| Most streets | Free parking, either unrestricted or time limited; the signs show the limit in each place |
The City lists these streets and car parks as having parking machines: Mill Point Boat Ramp jet ski area (Car Park 12), Millers Pool (Car Park 11), South Perth Esplanade from Mill Point Close to the SPE11 car park (locked from 11:45pm to 5am daily), Coode Street Boatshed (Car Park 14), Coode Street Boat Ramp (Car Park 15), Windsor Park (Car Park 3), Richardson Reserve (Car Park 6) and the streets Bowman, Lyall, Hardy, Charles, Richardson, Hurlingham and Ellam. All machines have been ticketless since 1 August 2025: you enter your registration, the parking time and your payment details, or pay on the EasyPark app. The City warns that a typo in the registration can lead to a fine.
Can I move my car to get more time?
Only to another street. Where there are time limits, the City says you may move your vehicle to another street after your allotted time has expired, and that moving to a different spot on the same street incurs a fine. It is also an offence to remove the chalk marks that a community ranger has put on your tyres.
What if I have an ACROD permit?
A holder may park in an ACROD bay with no time limit, as long as a current permit is clearly displayed inside the windscreen. In a thoroughfare or parking station, a holder may park for twice the period shown on the sign. The City’s access and mobility map shows the location of ramps, pathways and bays.
What are the common parking mistakes in South Perth?
- Stopping in a no stopping area, marked by signs or solid yellow lines; you may not stop for any length of time.
- Parking in a no parking area; you may only stop to set down or pick up passengers or goods, and the driver must stay with the vehicle.
- Parking in a loading zone, bus stop, ACROD bay, taxi rank or motorcycle bay.
- Parking on a verge where signs prohibit it, or without the permission of the owner or occupier.
- Blocking a footpath, right of way or private driveway.
- Parking facing against the traffic flow.
- Parking within three metres of a double barrier white line, ten metres of an intersection or nine metres of a traffic island.
- Parking in a restricted area during a special event without the right permit.
- Parking in a public area for longer than 24 hours.
During special events, some roads in South Perth have restricted access and there may be limits on street or verge parking. If you are going to an evening event at the Zoo, read the signs when you arrive.
Can I cycle or walk?
Yes. The Zoo says safe dual-use paths for cycling and walking circle the Swan River from the CBD to South Perth, and from the river it is only 500 metres up to the Zoo. Free bicycle racks are just outside, and the Zoo recommends a lock. You cannot take a bicycle, rollerblades, skateboard or other personal transport inside.
What about school buses and drop-offs?
For school visits, the Zoo says the safest way to drop students off is to enter the car park off Mill Point Road, drive along the access road at 10 km/h and pull into a temporary bus bay. Charter buses can then leave onto Labouchere Road. Buses you bring yourself can circle the block and use the free, limited bus parking in the Mill Point Road parking area.
Who do I contact?
For Transperth times and fares, call 13 62 13. For parking questions, the City of South Perth is on 08 9474 0777 at Cnr Sandgate Street and South Terrace, South Perth. To pay or appeal a South Perth parking infringement, the City has online forms.
Sources
- Perth Zoo — Getting Here and Opening Hours (checked 9 November 2026)
- City of South Perth — Parking (checked 9 November 2026)
Featured image: A brush bronzewing at Perth Zoo (photo: Calistemon / CC BY-SA 4.0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Perth Zoo, the City of South Perth, EasyPark or Transperth. Rules, hours and rates can change; check the official pages and the signs on the day.