We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo....

It was so lovely to finally have some sunshine this weekend. We took the opportunity to pack an afternoon picnic and headed to the zoo after the bear-cubs nap. The Perth zoo is a really great location for young families and it was obvious today that a lot of familes had the same idea as us.

We arrived at 230pm in South Perth. Unfortunately our usually parking spot at Robinson Reserve seems to have become paid parking since we last visited which was a touch annoying. But luckily parking is always easy to come by. Bear-cub (aged 2.5yo) particularly enjoys the primates and meerkats. I love to sit and look at the elephants and my husband really likes the big cats (tigers and lions). We had one of my stepchildren (the bookworm aged 14yo) who while not a huge animal fan likes to chase bearcub over the wide lawns and thought the sunbears where "pretty cool".

I really like the zoo cafe setup which lets me get a decent coffee and plonk down on the lawned area to let the kids run wild. I head there mid week sometimes with one of the playgroup mums and it's a great way to actually have a coffee with a girlfriend while the kids aren't climbing you. Be somewhat warned though, the coffee tends to be scaldingly hot.

The zoo is a great low budget outing as we ask for annual passes as a Christmas gift ($60 for adults and $35 for children) and we get annual passes which give unlimited free entries. It makes much less of a big deal when my toddler has a tantrum half way and I have to leave early. I usually go once a week during summer so it works out very cheaply and we tend to head out there whenever weekend funds are low. Anyway, at $1.50 an hour the parking isn't too hideously priced.

My recommendation is to head out once and pay to get in. Wander around and see if you think you'd come back once every 3 months - if so you can sign up for the zoo membership at the end and get you entrance fee refunded. And the remember the membership gets you 10% off at the cafe. Otherwise, remember that Wednesdays during the school week are adults at childrens prices.