1,500 new reasons to visit Whiteman Park

22/5/03
Whiteman Park, on Perth's north-eastern edge, boasts a major new attraction as the new home for the highly popular Caversham Wildlife Park and Zoo.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the relocation of 1,500 animals, birds and reptiles to their new home, was now complete.
The new facility was officially opened today by Graham Giffard MLC, representing Ms MacTiernan.
The Minister said the WA Planning Commission had contributed $1.5million towards the cost of establishing an eight-hectare wildlife park, twice the size of its predecessor.
"This impressive new addition will make Whiteman Park one of Australia's premier attractions, both for tourists and for local people," she said.
"More than 200,000 people visit Whiteman Park each year and Caversham Zoo attracted at least 80,000 people annually.
"Land has been set aside to enable the wildlife park to expand to 15ha."
David Thorne and his family, who have operated Caversham Wildlife Park for the past 15 years, will continue to manage the new facility.
Mr Thorne said it had been his family's dream to one day leave a facility that would be special to the community and would ensure the long-term preservation of the native animals.
The new zoo will add to the 4,300ha park's many features, which include rides and displays operated by the Bennett Brook heritage railway, Perth Electric Tramway Society, the Motor Museum of Western Australia, a tractor museum and the Bus Preservation Society of Western Australia, as well as many attractive picnic spots and bushwalking trails.
Entry to Whiteman Park will continue to be free, but there will be a charge of $12.50 for adults, $9.50 for seniors and students and $5.50 for children for the Wildlife Park.
For more information about Whiteman Park visit the website at http://www.whitemanpark.com
Minister's office: 9213 6400