About Perth's Town Parks

On October 1872, an area of land on Mount Eliza (known as Kaarta gar-up by the local Nyoongar people, a significant gathering point for the local Aboriginal people and a focal point of European culture) was gazetted by the Commissioner for Lands, Sir Malcolm Fraser as a public park. Fraser had submitted the proposal to the Governor, Sir Frederick Weld, more than a year previously. The area was renamed Kings Park in 1901 in honor of King Edward VII after a visit to Perth by his son, the Duke of York (later King George V).

Today, situated only a few minutes walk away from central Perth, you can visit Kings Park and Botanic Garden. Located adjacent to the Swan River and approximately 1.5 kilometers from Perth s Central Business District, and offering a stunning view of the city, it is spread over an area of four hundred hectares with a remarkable expanse of unique natural bushland, sweeping parklands and botanic garden. Almost two thirds of Kings Park is made up of natural bushland with three hundred nineteen species of native plant life showcasing an outstanding collection of 1700 native species of Western Australia flora and around 80 bird species.

This fragile and unique biodiversity of Western Australia is featured in the Botanic Garden. The Annual Spring Wildflower Festival, Australia s largest and most varied massed native plant display and wildflower exhibition (including Scientific, Educational and Trade features) are held here. The rest of the Park is a beautiful vista of superb cultivated gardens and wide recreational areas. Kings Park is a tranquil respite from the bustle of the city and for Western Australians as well as for the many interstate and international visitors, the Park is a place of inspiration, relaxation, recreation and wonder.

The Park is the most popular destination in Western Australia, visited by millions of people each year, crowded by tourists and locals alike for picnics, pleasant strolls, cultural as well as ceremonial events. There are so many things to do in Kings Park - whether you are with friends of family for a late afternoon picnic, wanting to relax and just take in the magnificent views of Perth, or maybe you feel up for some shopping, you can find it all here. Delight in the extensive breathtaking river and city views with a panorama to the Darling Scarp while taking lunch at Fraser s Restaurant at the Kings Park Tearooms.

Let the tiny tots play in the footprints of dinosaurs at the picnic areas while you enjoy wonderful coffee and meals at Zamia Café. During clear days from all the way up the top of 101 steps of the DNA Tower in Forrest Drive, the Indian Ocean can be viewed to the west. The magnificent State War Memorial, erected in 1929, is also another one of several scenic vantage points. Rent a bike and ride around in the dual-use paths to traverse Kings Park, hop a tram tour or join a free guided walk tour with one of the Park s experienced Volunteer Guides. Need a little bit of retail therapy? Then come and browse through uniquely Western Australian arts and crafts.

Or stroll along the Avenues of Honour and special memorials throughout the Park dedicated to those who died in the service of Australia and savor the sensational scene of city lights. Of course there is also the 437 hectare Bold Park located in the Perth suburb of City Beach right off the Boulevard. Bold Park is one of the largest remaining urban bushland areas and like Kings Park, also has a diverse range of flora and fauna including the brushtail possum, at least 29 reptile species, different species of bats, hundreds of species of birds as well as hundreds of plant varieties. Bold Park is home to the rare relation of the Geraldton Wax called the Wembley Wax.

There is also an intricate network of bushwalking trails which allows the thousands of visitors to enjoy the Park s natural beauty as well as views of the city and the Indian Ocean.