Kings Park in Perth, Western Australia

Situated within two kilometres from the CBD of Perth, Kings Park is a premier tourist destination in Western Australia. The park sits at an altitude of over 43 metres and overlooks the beautiful Swan River, the city of Perth and its surrounding suburbs. This urban park has a total area of over 400 hectares with two-thirds bushlands and one-third developed into gardens, landmarks, playgrounds, picnic and barbeque areas. There are many things to do in Kings Park, from sightseeing to dining, trekking, cycling, picnics and barbeques.

Throughout the park, the roads are lined with eucalyptus trees, kangaroo paws and different species of native plants. The pleasant scent from the eucalyptus trees fills the air in all areas. There are several lookout areas and an observation deck with fantastic views of the city skyline. Memorial plagues stand in front of each of the many trees to honour the fallen heroes who fought in various wars. Many structures, statues and areas of interest within the Kings Park precinct are open to the public.

Memorials

Kings Park is a place with vast memorials. The serenity of the surroundings casts a tranquil ambience around many of the memorial sites. The State War Memorial was built in remembrance of soldiers who lost their lives in the Boer War, World War I, World War II, Korean War or Vietnam War. Service men and women who had died while in service were also remembered with the displays of memorial plagues that lined the side of the roads in Kings Park.

The Bali Memorial was built in remembrance of sixteen Western Australian who had suffered or died in the Bali bombings in 2002, where 88 Australians were killed as a result of the terrorist attack.

Edith Cowan was the first woman to be elected in the Australian parliament. The Edith Dircksey Cowan Memorial (previously known as the Edith Cowan Memorial Clock) was built in 1934 to honour this great Australian woman.

Western Australian Botanic Garden

This botanic garden is situated within Kings Park and has a collection of 2000 species of flora. There are more than 13,000 Australian plant species growing in the botanic garden. The gardens and parklands at the Botanic Garden are immaculately landscaped and they are popular venues for weddings, outdoor music concerts and events.

DNA Tower

The white DNA Tower is located on the highest point in the park. This interesting looking tower has 101 steps built in double helix design that looks like a DNA molecule, leading up to the top of the tower. The view from the top is fantastic and the city lights are spectacular at night. The foot of the tower is paved with stones that came from different towns in Western Australia.

Aboriginal Art Gallery

The Aboriginal Art Gallery on Fraser Avenue boasts some beautiful artworks and exhibits by Aboriginal artists from Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Jacob's Ladder

At the end of Cliff Street, there is a set of stairs called Jacob's Ladder, which is on the boundary of Kings Park. There are 242 steps leading down to Mount Bay Road at the foot of Kings Park.

Family Areas

The Synergy Parkland and Lotterywest Family Area are great recreation areas for families. There are playgrounds for young children and picnic areas for visitors.

Walking Tracks and Trails

Law Walk is about 2.5 km of bushland trail. The walk begins at Rotunda Two to Dryandra Lookout, the Lotterywest Federation Walkway and loops back to Law Walk.

The Kokoda Track Memorial Walk begins at Kennedy Fountain on Mounts Bay Road. There are 150 steps to climb in this track.

There are also guided walks and tours provided by the Kings Park Volunteer Guides. Visitors can find out more about these guided walking tours at the Information Centre in the park.

Kings Park Festival

Every year in September, the Kings Park Festival presents the largest wildflower show in Australia. The event runs for one month to display thousands of flowering plants and exhibits in spring. The park attracts more than half a million people to this festival each year, with plant exhibitions, workshops, displays and activities for families, students, gardeners, and tourists. Thousands of colourful wildflower species in the park are also in bloom at this time of the year.

Bushfires

On a hot summer morning in January 2009, with day temperatures of up to 40°C, more than 20 hectares of Kings Park were burnt in a fire that was deliberately lit. Firefighters and rescue workers battled to save the burning areas in the park. Trees that had existed in the area for many decades were burnt down and destroyed. It will take many years to replenish the trees and plants that had perished in the bushfires.