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Situated high up on Mount Eliza with astounding views of the city, Kings Park is a must-see for any visitor to Perth. Covering an area of 400 hectares, it’s one of the largest inner-city parks in the world and welcomes over 6 million visitors each year.
But there’s much more to Kings Park than the Instagram-worthy views; with bush tracks to hike, the Western Australia Botanic Garden to explore and a range of eateries, it’s an easy place to lose a few hours or even an entire day. So here are my top ten things to do in Kings Park, Perth.
1. Kings Park Viewpoints
Kings Park is famous for its breathtaking views stretching out across the City of Perth and the Swan River. The views are spectacular at any time of day, but sunrise and sunset are particularly stunning, with the sun rising over the Swan River in the morning and setting behind the extensive bushland at the end of the day when the city lights begin to sparkle.
2. Lotterywest Federation Walkway
The Federation Walkway is a 620m treetop walkway with informative signs about the park’s fauna and European and Aboriginal history. The walk cuts through the WA Botanic Garden and over an arched bridge suspended above a canopy of eucalypts.
3. Bush Trails
Two thirds of the park is bushland, and there are multiple walking tracks for visitors to explore. So grab a sun hat, put on your walking boots and head out into nature! Click here for further information and a Kings Park map.
4. Free Guided Walk
If you’d like some insider-knowledge on the park, free guided walks from the Kings Park Volunteer Guides depart daily from Aspects in Kings Park at 10am and 12pm (30 September to 1 June) and 2pm.
5. Western Australia Botanic Garden
Kings Park is home to a sweeping 17-hectare botanic garden, opened in 1965 and home to a diverse collection of around 3,000 native flora, mainly from Western Australia, and many of which exist nowhere else in the world. The gardens are free to enter and a beautiful place to peruse.
6. Indigenous Heritage Tour
Learn about the indigenous history of Perth’s first people, the Wadjuk, as well as local plants used for bush food and medicine with an Aboriginal guide on an Indigenous Heritage Tour.
7. Memorials & Honour Avenues
There are more memorials, statues and honour avenues in Kings Park and Botanic Garden than in any other park in Australia. You won’t miss the State War Memorial Cenotaph jutting out of the skyline, and the peaceful Flame of Remembrance within the Pool of Reflection and Court of Contemplation are situated nearby.
8. Eat, Drink & Shop
If you’re looking for somewhere to refuel during your day out, Synergy Parkland is a great place for a family picnic, with picnic tables, barbecues and playgrounds, or simply lay out a blanket on any of the grassed areas in the park. To purchase food and drink, click here for a list of kiosks, cafes and restaurants in Kings Park.
For a retail fix check out the art and crafts for sale at Aspects of Kings Park gallery shop, or peruse the Aboriginal Art Gallery.
9. Native Trees
Kings Park is home to some interesting Australian trees as well as native flowers. Check out the 5m-wide, 750-year-old giant Boab tree, transported from the Kimberly region of WA; or “The Queen’s Tree”, a River Red Gum tree planted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1954.
10. Seasonal Activities
Keep your eye on the events calendar to find out what’s happening each day in the park. If you happen to visit Perth during springtime, you’ll be lucky enough to enjoy wildflower season. Explore the park between September and November to see Perth in springtime bloom. There’s even the month-long Kings Park Festival in September to celebrate the ‘Where the Wildflowers Are!’. You can also make the most of Perth’s mild climate by visiting the outdoor Moonlight Cinema, open during the summer in Synergy Park.
Whatever time of year you visit Perth, don’t miss out on the beautiful Kings Park, one of the city’s main highlights. For more ideas, check out my blog post on 15 things to do in Perth.
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Lisa Bull, founder of Dreaming of Down Under, has been living in Australia as a British expat since 2015. After travelling to every state and territory in Australia and living in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney, Lisa knows from first-hand experience the best destinations to visit in Australia and the best budget travel tips. Her guides on this blog have been read by over 700k readers and helped thousands of people achieve their dream of living in or travelling Australia.
