How to Discover Kings Park Perth on One Day

Kings Park is the jewel and the green soul of Perth. Kings Park is the major attraction in the 2 million inhabitants and most isolated capital city in the world, Perth, which boasts over 100,000 visits each day. It is the largest inner-city park in the world. Followed by Vancouver and Central Park in New York, Kings Park is indeed a fantastic place that offers a wonderland of natural treasures.

Moreover, the botanic gardens vast green lawn area and the slopes provide a magnificent setting for an array of social events. The many memorials statues and buildings are the perfect place for ceremonies held throughout the year.

Looking for a beautiful place where to stay in Perth? I recommend the Adnate – Art Series Hotel, in Hay Street, only 5 min drive away.

Perth Kings Park Facts

• Kings Park Perth is the largest inner-city park in the world.

• There are over 400 hectares of bushland of which 1/3 is developed into parklands and gardens.

• You can find 450 native plants of which about 300 natives to Kings Park Botanic Gardens, including the red and green kangaroo paw, the national flower emblem of Western Australia.

• 2/3 of the Park are crisscrossed by avenues, paved cycleways and unsealed paths that allow exploring the deep natural bushlands.

• One hundred thirty volunteers are actively looking after the park.

How to get to Kings Park

You can use the free bus 935 from South Terrace for a 5 min ride right into the heart of Kings Park. Or if you prefer driving you can get there by car, there are many parking spaces, free of charge.

What to do in Kings Park

Thanks to its location on top of Mount Eliza, the highest point of the city, Kings Park offers the best vantage points with breathtaking panoramic views across the city, the Swan Rivers and Perth Skyline. While for the locals, it is the heart and the soul of the city, for visitors, Kings Park represents a unique place to experience the city of Perth in its natural and peaceful settings.

Must-do things in Kings Park Perth

1. Go on free guided walks

There are many things to do in Kings Park, and you cannot see it all in one day. Volunteers run the free guided walks that are offered twice a day. They start from Kings Park Visitor Information Centre. In the morning, there is a walk through the Kings Park Botanic Garden with a volunteer who will not only talk about the park biological diversity but also talk about the history of the park. From how the first eucalyptus tree came to a city park in Australia and the big role the park played for Perth’s development along with its cultural significance to indigenous people.

The Bushland Nature Trail is my tip to get started. This 25 minutes guided walk takes you through the botanic garden to the bushland and offers unique encounters with Western Australian Wildflowers.

2. Take the Boodja Gnarning Walk

The Boodja Gnarning Walk is a self-guided walk that goes through Kings Park (Moora Katta) to experience a place of ancient gatherings and celebrations. An area of rare and natural beauty that shows ways of living off the land. The walks are divided into three parts. The base walk and the Marrn Track (Men’s trail) and the Yorgas Track (Women’s track).

Starting from Fraser Avenue through the Lotterywest Federation Walkway walk over the Glass Bridge to reach the Dryandra Lookout to enjoy a gorgeous view over the city.

3. See the Gija Jumulu Boab Tree in Kings Park

The giant Boab Tree is a real institution in the Park. One of my favourite places. This ancient tree was transported from the Kimberley in 2008 and travelled across 3000 km. An ancient Boab Tree, 750 years old, 14meter long, 14 tons weight for the first time to be transported across such a massive distance in Australia. The Gija, the traditional landowners, donated the tree, and the transportation was made possible thanks to the sponsors that granted most of the work.

4. Take a leisure walk along Fraser Avenue

Fraser Avenue is the main avenue towered by tall trees with a large green area ideal for picnic and social events. On weekends it is a trendy spot for weddings and parties. While I was there on a Saturday afternoon, I could witness five weddings within a couple of hours. It is a very nice area of the park to chill out and relax and feel the pulse of Perth city. At night the avenue is illuminated, making it to a spectacular view over the city of Perth.

5. Explore the deep bushland or enjoy a picnic

Either bike along the paved cycleways or walk to the DNA Tower down to the Arthur Fairall Playground to discover the natural bushland of Kings Park. Or sit on the soft and thick grass that creates a beautiful carpet to sit down. You do not even need to take a blanket with you.

Western Australia wildflowers are unique in the world. The Botanic Garden has half of Australia’s 25 thousand plants species. In September, when the annual Kings Park Festival takes place. It’s the best time of the year to experience wildflowers blooming with a vibrant kaleidoscope of colours.

2015 marked the 50th anniversary of the Western Australian Botanic Garden and the 52nd Kings Park Festival.

6. Stop at Kings Park War Memorial Complex

It’s impossible to walk past and not stop at one of the memorial sites. They have a magnetic power making the Park to a soulful place. Next, to the State War Memorial complex, there are many other memorials throughout the park where official ceremonies are held at Anzac Day or Australian Day

Tall trees with carved boards in memory of those who lost their lives in war, line large sweeping venues. Take a stroll through Kings Park memorial trees for a moment of reflection. Stop at the Pioneer Women’s Memorial which consists of an ornamental lake, sculpture and fountains right in the heart of the Western Australian Botanic Garden. Here is the link to the Kings Park walks.

If you can visit it in September during the Kings Park Festival, throughout the month, you can see a live display of Western Australian wildflowers and take part in the many events and outdoor activities.

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Here you can read more about how to discover Perth City on a solo adventure, and if you plan an extended trip, check out our article about the top 8 day trips Perth that can’t be missed.

How to plan your trip to Kings Park Perth

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