Perth - Kings Park and Botanic Garden

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The Perth Kings Park is one of the largest urban parks in the world. With an area of over 400 hectares, it is even slightly larger than New York’s Central Park. Kings Park essentially consists of three different areas – a well-maintained park, a botanical garden, and a natural bushland.

Tips for a Visit to Perth Kings Park

Perth’s Kings Park is truly enormous, and you can spend hours on its walking trails or exploring the sights and viewpoints. To ensure you don’t miss anything during your visit, we’ve compiled our best tips for Perth Kings Park here. You can explore these on foot or, for example, on a Segway tour, which is also a lot of fun.

Hot to Get to Perth

Getting to Perth is convenient and easy to organize. Perth has the largest airport in Western Australia and can be reached by plane from many destinations. These include domestic flights from smaller cities or the west coast of Australia. But also long-haul flights, mostly from Asia like Kuala Lumpur, Bali, and Bangkok, are a great starting point if you want to travel to Perth. You can find a precise selection of airlines, times, and prices at Skyscanner.

To reach Perth within Australia, there are several other options. These include trains or long-distance buses. You can find a selection at TransWA, where all the different possibilities are presented. You’ll learn which places are on the railway line and which ones, for example, can only be reached by bus.

The last alternative is your own car or a rental car/camper. If you’re on an Australia road trip and also want to get to Perth, there are many routes available. In our opinion, the most beautiful is along Highway 1 on the south coast, which leads from Adelaide along Esperance and Albany to Perth.

Accommodation in Perth – Our Hotel Tip

The Alex Hotel is very centrally located in the Perth CBD district, specifically in Northbridge. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the train station and the city center, an excellent starting point. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, television, free Wi-Fi, and modern bathrooms. Some rooms even offer a balcony and a great city view.

Additionally, the Alex Hotel offers a rooftop terrace with views of the skyline, a restaurant, a bar, and a small breakfast included in the room price. The 24-hour reception assists you at any time, and you can even rent bicycles on-site to explore Perth. For us, this hotel in Perth was a good choice, especially due to its central location.

If you’d like to look for other hotels, perhaps in other districts or directly at Elizabeth Quay, then check out this Perth hotel overview.

1. Jacob’s Ladder

At the northern edge of Perth’s Kings Park is Jacob’s Ladder. You can find the entrance on Cliff Street, and Google Maps will guide you there. This staircase leads up 242 steps and marks the beginning of your excursion into Kings Park. Locals also like to use it for stair running, and it looks very impressive from below. However, it’s not too difficult to climb the stairs.

Jacob’s Ladder connects the base of Mount Eliza with the higher vantage point, from which you have a fantastic view over the Perth skyline and the Swan River (see next point). Especially in the morning or late afternoon during the summer, when it’s not too hot, you’ll meet many people here. But we think Jacob’s Ladder is always a great way to reach Perth’s Kings Park on a nice walk from the city.

2. State War Memorial

After a short walk from Jacob’s Ladder, you reach the State War Memorial, which has stood here since 1929. It is a monument to the fallen soldiers of Western Australia. The centerpiece of the memorial is the Cenotaph, an 18-meter-high obelisk. It commemorates the soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War. Additionally, there is an honor wall where many of the soldiers’ names are engraved, as well as the Court of Contemplation and the Flame of Remembrance, which symbolically represents the eternal memory of the war victims.

Note: If you’re interested in the history of Western Australia, don’t miss the State War Memorial. Beautiful commemorative events are held here every year on April 25 (ANZAC Day) and November 11 (Remembrance Day).

Another highlight at the State War Memorial in Perth’s Kings Park, which sits atop Mount Eliza – the highest point of the park – is the view. From here, you can admire the Swan River meandering through Perth and the city’s skyline. It’s a great place for impressive travel photos of Perth.

3. Floral Clock

Not far from the State War Memorial, you’ll find the next attraction in Perth’s Kings Park, the Floral Clock. It was unveiled in 1962 as a legacy of Western Australian pastoralist F. Wittenoom. Originally built in the Swiss style of a cuckoo clock, the Floral Clock has changed over the many years to its current form.

This impressive work of art consists of numerous flowers and changes according to the season. Sometimes the flowers and plants are in bloom, and at other times they are not. The selection of flowers is adjusted seasonally, and they represent the numbers of the clock. The Floral Clock is definitely a beautiful photo stop. And it doesn’t just look great; it also really tells the time – a living work of art.

4. Giant Boab “Gija Jumulu”

Another attraction for nature lovers is the Giant Boab, about 14 meters tall. It is known as Gija Jumulu and has stood in Perth’s Kings Park only since 2008, although it is approximately 750 years old. Now you’re probably wondering how this tree came to be in Kings Park?

The spectacular journey of the tree to Perth is a fascinating story. It was in the way of a road construction project in the Kimberley region. The local Gija people decided, together with the authorities, to save the tree. It traveled over 3,200 kilometers by land and was finally planted in Kings Park. Thus, it is also a symbol of conservation and respect for nature and the indigenous cultures of Australia.

5. Mount Eliza Lookout

Just a few minutes from the State War Memorial (see point 2), you’ll find the Mount Eliza Lookout. Here, you can rest a bit during your walk through Perth’s Kings Park and enjoy the great view. To the left, somewhat hidden behind the trees, you can see Perth’s skyline. On the other side, you can see the suburbs and, of course, the large Swan River that flows through.

The Mount Eliza Lookout is also a very popular spot at sunset, as you can see it very well from Kings Park. You should definitely make a short stop here and enjoy the view, whether during the day or evening. A beautiful perspective of the city and a great detour on the way to the Lotterywest Federation Walkway (see next point).

6. Lotterywest Federation Walkway

The Lotterywest Federation Walkway is an elevated path that leads you through the treetops in Perth’s Kings Park. Over a length of just over 600 meters, you can get a great insight into the flora and fauna here. Of course, beautiful views are included.

The canopy walkway is the highlight of the Lotterywest Federation Walkway. It is about 222 meters long and rises 16 meters above the ground with a suspension bridge. Along the way, you can look over Kings Park, the skyline, the river, and simply enjoy nature. For those who are keen to learn more about the native plants, there are information boards in some places.

If you want to walk the entire Lotterywest Federation Walkway, you should allow a good 40 minutes. But it’s worth it because where else do you have the opportunity to take a walk through the treetops? The walkway is not difficult, so you can do it at any age and even with children. If you’d like to learn even more along the way, you can also take a guided tour, where local guides will tell you many interesting facts.

7. Pioneer Women’s Memorial

The next stop on a walk through Perth’s Kings Park is the Pioneer Women’s Memorial. It is a beautifully designed memorial dedicated to the brave and determined pioneer women of Western Australia. Erected in 1968, the centerpiece of the monument is an elegant fountain. There are several water jets and a bronze statue of a woman with a child, symbolizing the strength and vitality of the women who significantly contributed to the development of Western Australia in the early days of colonization.

Surrounded by plenty of lawn space and some trees, many visitors like to sit here in the shade and enjoy the tranquility. The Pioneer Women’s Memorial is also a meeting point for special events, such as International Women’s Day each year. It’s a lovely place to take a short break in Kings Park.

8. DNA Tower

The DNA Tower in Perth’s Kings Park is an iconic and, you might say, unique observation platform. Due to its spiral structure, it resembles a DNA double helix, which is where it gets its name. The tower has 101 steps and is 15 meters high. You can easily climb it via stairs, which is not a major challenge.

Since the tower is located on Mount Eliza, it is one of the highest points in Perth’s Kings Park. From the top, you have a view over parts of the park and even the skyline in the distance, if it’s not obscured by trees. Incidentally, the DNA Tower was built back in 1966 by a Dutch immigrant family and was inspired by a similar tower in Nagoya, Japan. On-site, you can also read information panels about the DNA Tower and its construction. It was a great destination in Kings Park that we really enjoyed.

9. Roe Gardens and Memorial

The Roe Gardens and Memorial in Perth’s Kings Park is a monument in honor of John Septimus Roe. He was the first surveyor in Western Australia and played a significant role in exploring and mapping the region. You can reach the monument in just a few minutes from the DNA Tower.

To learn more about the history of John Septimus Roe, you’ll find a commemorative plaque with descriptions on-site. Additionally, this is a great photo location, as you can see the Perth skyline and the Swan River from here. A short walk along the well-maintained paths, past beautiful flower beds and shrubs that reflect the region’s fauna and flora, is also worthwhile.

10. Dryandra Lookout

A little further south, you’ll find the Dryandra Lookout. It is located in a very quiet part of Perth’s Kings Park and is often referred to as a hidden gem. The name derives from the native Dryandra trees that stand near the viewpoint.

There are indeed many walking paths here and plenty of tranquility. In our opinion, the view isn’t the best in the park but is still worth a stop, especially if you would like to explore the southern part of Kings Park. If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city and the lively part of the park, this is the place for you.

11. Koolangka Bridge

One last highlight we’d like to introduce is the Koolangka Bridge. It is located far from the frequented spots in Perth’s Kings Park, specifically in the southeast. This impressive pedestrian bridge crosses the busy Fraser Avenue. The name Koolangka comes from the language of the Nyoongar, the traditional owners of the land. It means “children,” and fittingly, the bridge connects Kings Park with the Perth Children’s Hospital.

The 217-meter-long bridge is even part of the children’s hospital and was specially designed in rainbow colors for the sick children. The Koolangka Bridge is a popular access point for walkers, joggers, and cyclists who want to reach Kings Park. It connects the western part of the city with the peace and nature of the park.

12. Free Walking Tour

A tip for Kings Park in Perth, if you’re interested, is the free walking tour. The tours start twice daily at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm in front of the entrance to the Aspects of Kings Park Gallery Shop, near the State War Memorial. The free walking tours with a local guide take you along some hiking trails and bring you closer to nature in the Botanical Garden. A great service from the friendly Australians, in our opinion.

Perth Kings Park: Tours and Tickets

Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Perth in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Perth.

Have you already been to Perth Kings Park? Is this highlight on your list for a visit to Perth? Please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts in the comments.

Photos: Photo 7 (Lotterywest Federation Walkway): trabantos/shutterstock.com