Kings Park: Perth's 400-Hectare Backyard
Planning a trip to Perth? Set aside a morning for Kings Park - 400 hectares of bushland, gardens and city views, free to enter, open 24 hours a day and just 1.5 km from the city centre.
What's All the Fuss About?
Kings Park sits high on Mount Eliza, and it's one of the largest inner-city parks in the world.
The views: Look out over the city skyline, the Swan River (Derbarl Yerrigan), the Canning River and all the way east to the Darling Range.
The Botanic Garden: The Western Australian Botanic Garden showcases more than 3,000 species of WA's unique native flora - a sight you won't find anywhere else in the world.
Room to roam: Around two thirds of the park is protected bushland, with walk trails, immaculate gardens, cafés and children's play areas.
Photo by Julian (-wuppertaler) · CC BY 4.0
Why You'll Love It
There's far more here than a nice view (although the view really is spectacular!).
Lotterywest Federation Walkway: Stroll among the treetops on a 620-metre path through the Botanic Garden, crossing a 52-metre glass and steel arched bridge. Allow about 40 minutes return - it's open 9am to 5pm daily.
Fraser Avenue: The park's grand entry avenue is lined with tall trees, and its uplights glow in different colours to mark special days and events.
Free guided walks: Kings Park Volunteer Guides lead free daily guided walks from outside Aspects of Kings Park - check times on the website.
Getting There
Kings Park is right on the city's doorstep, so getting there is easy.
By bus: Transperth route 935 runs from St Georges Terrace right into the heart of the park at the Fraser Avenue precinct, and the Blue CAT also links Kings Park with the city.
Free Transit Zone: Bus travel is free when your whole trip starts and ends inside the city's Free Transit Zone - look for the logo on the bus stop. Transperth timetables can change, so check before you head off.
By car: Parking is free for park visitors, with a 4-hour limit at some car parks on weekdays (7am to 4pm). There's no parking on Fraser Avenue, and fines apply if you "park and leave".
Photo by JarrahTree · “Photographs by JarrahTree...commons.wikimedia.org” · CC BY 2.5 AU
Tips for First-Timers
A few local tips to help you make the most of your visit.
Bring the dog: Dogs on leads of 2 metres or less are welcome, but not on the raised walkway, at events, or in playgrounds and cafés.
Accessibility: The Federation Walkway is wheelchair accessible, although some visitors may need a hand on the arched section.
Accommodation: Stay on Mounts Bay Road, close to both Kings Park and Elizabeth Quay, and you can be among the gum trees before breakfast!
Kings Park is where Perth comes to breathe - wildflowers, bushland, river views and sweeping city panoramas, all free and open around the clock. Whether you've got an hour or a whole day, it's the perfect introduction to the city and its remarkable native plants.
Want to start planning? Check out the Kings Park website for walk times, maps and events, then pack a picnic and enjoy the view.
Cover photo by Dietmar Rabich / Wikimedia Commons / “Perth (AU), View from Kings Park -- 2019 -- 0435-42” / CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped
