Lower Chittering Open Range Zoo

A new Perth zoo will be created in Lower Chittering, a conservation and recreation reserve on the Avon River.

The zoo will host African savannah animals and support Perth Zoo’s international wildlife conservation breeding programs.

The conservation and recreation reserve comprises 700 hectares of which 280 hectares is already cleared. The land is vested in the Department of Parks and Wildlife.

The new Perth zoo will be about a 90-minute drive from Perth.

Picture Lions, giraffes etc in the background. Moondyne's in Lower Chittering the preferred site for open range zoo #Perthnews pic.twitter.com/GmBF4GqAHh — Lisa Barnes (@Barnsy_Lisa) November 2, 2016

Lower Chittering Open Range Zoo – New Perth Zoo Coming

A 90min drive from #Perth, in gorgeous Lower Chittering, this is the site of the planned Open Range Zoo #perthnews pic.twitter.com/wYL7McH631 — Lisa Barnes (@Barnsy_Lisa) November 2, 2016

“This is a truly spectacular site next to the Avon Valley National Park that has all the features needed to make an open range zoo attractive to international visitors,” Premier Colin Barnett said


“The landscape and vistas are striking, exceeding those of other open range zoos in Australia, and even globally. The undulating land and scattered rock outcrops create excellent opportunities for the viewing of animals. This site could become a world class attraction.

“It’s close to Perth, the Swan Valley and the Avon Valley and offers other recreational opportunities such as nature-based tourism, camping and bush walking.”

The conservation and recreation reserve comprises 700 hectares of which 280 hectares is already cleared. The land is vested in the Department of Parks and Wildlife.

Environment Minister Albert Jacob said Perth Zoo’s conservation efforts were constrained by its central city location and an open range zoo offered more breeding options, as well as exciting new tourism opportunities.

“One of the benefits of an open range zoo is it will offer the State greater involvement in vital breeding programs for herd species. In the longer-term, it could become an important centre for breeding threatened exotic species as insurance populations for the future,” Mr Jacob said.


“Perth Zoo’s focus on wildlife conservation has greatly enhanced its reputation and attractiveness as a destination. If the zoo can expand in an open range setting, it will continue to build its global reputation.

“An open range zoo gives us the opportunity to become a centre for breeding exotic species such as white rhinoceros, giraffes, African painted dogs, hamadryas baboons, plains zebras, African tawny lions and Asian elephants.”

Fact File

Australia has four open range zoos – Werribee Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria, Taronga Western Plains Zoo in NSW, and Montaro Zoo in South Australia

Perth Zoo opened in 1896 and is one of the most visited zoos on a per capita basisi