It has taken a while to get this blog up and running as Kings Park has so much to offer I didn't really know where to start but here goes...
Kings Park and Botanic Gardens perch high above the Perth (Boorloo) CBD atop the Mt Eliza escarpment. The park and gardens are open 24 hours and entry is free.
Entering from the city you will drive or walk along Fraser Avenue which is lined with stunning white lemon-scented gums Corymbia citriodora. standing tall and framing the city and Swan River (Derbal Yerrigan) views. More about what you can find along this stretch later.
FRASER AVENUE PRECINCT
Fraser Avenue Precinct is the hub of Kings Park and houses Frasers Restaurant, Botanical Cafe and Aspects of Kings Park Gallery Shop, which has some stunning items for sale. This is also the location of the Visitors Information Centre and the meeting point for the many guided walks on offer. To one side you will find the FLORAL CLOCK which features Australian plants as roman numerals and is surrounded by a range of Western Australian native plants. To the other side is the
ROTARY WISHING WELL and Kaarta Gar-up Lookout.
KAARTA GAR -UP LOOKOUT
A temporary mural has been painted on the Kaarta Gar-up Lookout to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Western Australia Botanic Gardens. Painted by local artist Kamsani (Kam) Bin-Salleh, the contemporary Aboriginal artwork is inspired by Eucalyptus trees. The Eucalyptus blossoms depicted in the artwork are arranged to resemble the Southern Cross constellation, accompanied by the two pointer stars which point south. The arrangement, emblematic of the stars in the southern hemisphere skies, creates a navigational tool, symbolising how Eucalypts and other plants were used as tools by the Noongar people. The white lines flowing through the artwork represent the traditional practice of using Eucalyptus smoke to welcome, and cleanse the mind, body and spirit. The botanical inspired design is complemented by Noongar words “Kaya” (Hello) and “Wanju” (Welcome) in the artwork, welcoming locals and visitors alike to this popular attraction and city viewpoint.
STATE WAR MEMORIAL
From here it is a short stroll to the State War Memorial. The State War Memorial of Western Australia stands as a reminder to the city of Western Australian servicemen and women who have lost their lives in battle from World War I to the present day. The area has five main elements: the Cenotaph, Court of Contemplation, Flame of Remembrance, Pool of Reflection and ANZAC Bluff Commemorative Plaque. This is the location for annual ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day celebrations. The views across the city and the river are remarkable from this area.
The Cenotaph
Unveiled in 1929 to commemorate those who died in World War I, the granite Cenotaph is a 18 metre obelisk set atop a podium over an undercroft and crypt. The internal walls of the undercroft lists the more than 7000 members of the services killed in action or who died of wounds or illness in WWI. The outer walls of the undercroft lists more than 4000 Western Australian Navy, Army, Air Force, Merchant Navy and Women’s Services members killed in action or who died of war related wounds in WWII. Also listed in the undercroft are the names of Western Australians killed in Korea (1950-1953), Malaya (1950-1960), Borneo (1962-1966) and Vietnam (1962-1972).
Court of Contemplation
The Court of Contemplation is located at the western side of the precinct and was unveiled in 1955. It commemorates the conflicts in which Western Australians have fallen, with the walls featuring the names of major battlefields.
Flame of Remembrance
The Flame of Remembrance burns continuously. The four torches of the Flame represent the Navy, Army, Air Force and Women’s Services. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II lit the Flame of Remembrance in the year 2000 from the Eternal Flame at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Pool of Reflection
The granite walls of the pool are inscribed with lettering inviting visitors to “Let Silent Contemplation Be Your Offering” while lettering inscribed on the opposite side reads “We Will Remember Them”. Plaques surrounding the pool honour the fifteen Victoria Cross and two George Cross recipients from Western Australia across the Boer War, First World War and Second World War.
ANZAC Bluff Commemorative Plaque
This plaque is dedicated to the 2500 men of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps known as ANZACs, who lost their lives in the Gallipoli campaign of 1915. The area below the Cenotaph was renamed ANZAC Bluff in 1974 as it resembles the site where the soldiers first landed at Gallipoli.
Kings Park and Botanic Garden has more memorials, statues and honour avenues than any other park in Australia. The armed services and civic memorials within Kings Park and Botanic Garden are a tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom we now enjoy and those with the vision to provide a special place we can call our own. Kings Park has tree-lined avenues (May Drive, Lovekin Drive and Marri Walk) set aside to honour service personnel who died in the two World Wars and other engagements. Some memorials are featured in this blog but for a full list head to https://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/memorials
CLIFF WALK
This walk takes you from the State War Memorial along the top of the escarpment with stunning river views. You will pass the entrance to the KOKODA TRACK - a short trail which winds down the escarpment to Mounts Bay Road - easy going down - a bit more challenging climbing back up! Seven plaques along this memorial track give the history of this campaign from July to November 1942 on the Kokoda Track, which crosses the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea. At the Karri Pavilion the Cliff Walk finishes and the Law Walk begins
BOTANIC TERRACES AND PAVILION
One of many stunning pavilions which can be hired for events.
LAW WALK
This 2.5km (each way) begins at Karri Pavilion and follows the ridge of the Mount Eliza escarpment to Dryandra Lookout offering scenic river views along the way. From Dryandra Lookout you can return via a loop walk which takes in the Lotterywest Federation Walkway.
LOTTERYWEST FEDERATION WALKWAY
One of Kings Park and Botanic Garden's most popular tourist attractions, the 40 minute return journey begins east of the Forrest Roundabout. The journey extends 620 metres through the Western Australian Botanic Garden, over a spectacular elevated 52 metre glass and steel arched bridge suspended among a canopy of tall eucalypts to the Beedawong Meeting Place. Walk among the treetops and enjoy spectacular views of the city skyline on the Federation Walkway. Open 9am - 5pm daily
BEEDAWONG
In the heart of the Western Australian Botanic Garden, the Beedawong (meaning celebration or meeting place) is a circular amphitheatre creating a sense of peace in its natural bush setting.
ROE GARDENS, MEMORIAL AND PLACE OF REFLECTION
The memorial honours John Septimus Roe, Western Australia’s first Surveyor General, who arrived from England in 1829 with his family on the sailing ship, ‘Parmelia’, to help found the Swan River Colony. The granite memorial features a bronze plaque illustrating his original 1838 plan of Perth. He noted on 31 December 1831 that Mount Eliza should be reserved for public purposes. The Place of Reflection is a contemplative space that is available to everyone in the community
WATER GARDEN AND PIONEER WOMENS MEMORIAL
The bronze statue of mother and child in her arms stands on two stepping stones in a pond surrounded by fountains. Connected to the water garden with it's tumbling stream and tranquil ponds by winding paths and wooden footbridges the Pioneer Womens Memorial anchors these gardens designed by architect Geoffrey Summerhayes. The lawns overlooking the Pioneer Womens Memorial are the location for many events including outdoor concerts.
YORKAS NYINNING
A limestone wall featuring a sculpted bas-relief mural depicting women in various stages from infancy to maturity. The mural symbolises the part women have played in developing Western Australia from colonial times to the present day.
WEST AUSTRALIAN BOTANIC GARDEN
The beautiful Botanic Gardens display over 3,000 species of the State's unique flora - a sight unlike anywhere else in the world. As you wander through the many gardens beds you will discover species from the South West all the way to the far northern Kimberley. The Kings Park Festival held in September celebrates the spring wildflower season.
TWO RIVERS LOOKOUT
Stunning views across to where Dyarlgarro (Canning River) spills into the Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River) at Melville Water.
GIJA JUMULU (GIANT BOAB)
This mighty Boab is estimated to be over 750 years old and could easily live for another 1250 years! Boabs (Adansonia gregorii) are highly valued by Indigenous people for their edible fruits, medicinal uses and water-holding properties. This tree, known as 'Gija Jumulu', is a special gift to all Western Australians from the local Indigenous people, the Gija, who are the traditional Kimberley land owners where the tree originally stood before being relocated. They performed a farewell ceremony to the Jumulu (boab in Gija language) on Monday, 14 July 2008.
The tree captured the hearts of all Western Australians when it travelled over 3200 km by long haul truck from Warmun down to Perth in 2008. At 37 tonnes and 18 metres tall, it's the longest known land journey of a living tree this size. Along its long journey, street trees had to be pruned, power lines raised, street signs extracted and traffic redirected to enable the truck and its unusual cargo to pass through the narrow streets of Perth's inner city.
BOODJA GNARNING WALK
The Boodja Gnarning walk is in three parts separating into the women's and men's tracks at the end of the Lotterywest Federation Walkway. Both these tracks lead back through the Western Australian Botanic Garden to Forrest Carpark, where the walk ends. Signs guide you on paths through the garden, highlighting traditional Noongar uses of plants and places of significance.
Before separating into the women's and men's tracks, the Boodja Gnarning walk is 1 kilometre long on hard ground with slight inclines and is estimated to take 30 minutes to complete.
Maarm Track - Men's long walk
With a total length of 1.4 kilometres, the men's track meanders all the way to the Place of Reflection at Roe Gardens before joining up with the women's track near the Pioneer Women's Memorial. This track is on soft and hard ground with medium inclines and is estimated to take 60 minutes to complete.
Yorgra Track - Women's short walk
A shorter walk of 800 metres, the women's track winds around near the Water Garden before travelling back towards Gija Jumulu (Giant Boab) via the Banksia Garden and Pioneer Women's Memorial. The area near the Pioneer Women's Memorial holds a special significance as it was a women's-only precinct and traditionally where they gave birth. This track is on hard ground with slight to moderate inclines and is estimated to take 20 minutes to complete.
BUSHLAND NATURE TRAIL
This 25 minute walk showcases bush in the heart of the city. An open mia-mia structure marks the entry to this walk. A mia mia was a temporary shelter built by Noongar people. The walk showcases WA's famous wildflowers, trees and animals and is best in Spring.
DNA TOWER
The 15 metre high DNA Tower (1966) is inspired by the intertwining strands of DNA. Climb 101 steps to the top for views of Perth's skyline and the Swan River and back along BROADWALK VISTA - a 1.4km long, wide green open space extending almost the width of Kings Park from the DNA Tower to MAY DRIVE PARKLAND.
FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL GROVE
Located a short walk from the DNA Tower.
MAY DRIVE PARKLAND with VIETNAM MEMORIAL.
With walkways to cross, an island fort to conquer and the mega fauna to admire, the facilities at May Drive Parkland play on an 'Evolution Through Time'. Featuring a 75 metre long elevated walkway, island fort, large-scale replicas of extinct Australian mega fauna and an interactive water misting forest, there is plenty to keep the kids busy here. This is also the location of the Zamia Cafe and the Vietnam Memorial as well as outdoor movies in summer.
SAW AVENUE PICNIC AREA With Variety Place Playground
Variety Place within Saw Avenue Picnic Area was developed with the special needs of children with disabilities in mind as all kids deserve the same opportunities in life. Children will discover their adventurous spirit through a fort, climbing net, bridges, tunnels and climbing logs. Discover insects carved into the wooden furniture, balance on the logs like a lizard or bask in the shade of the trees! This area is also home to a number of important memorials honouring those lost in war.
POOLGARLA with Koorak Cafe and Ivey Watson Playground.
Poolgarla Family Area is particularly suited to children six years and younger and features the Ivey Watson Playground with a pirate ship, castle and fire truck. It’s the perfect place for imaginative play and Koorak Cafe is the perfect place for a coffee or bite to eat.
DR ARNOLD COOK MEMORIAL
Located along Kings Park Road you will find this life-size, cast bronze statue of Dr Cook and his guide dog, Drina. Two plaques, one in braille, describe the remarkable achievements of Dr Cook who became totally blind at the age of 18 years. He pioneered the Guide Dogs for the Blind movement in Australia.
RIO TINTO NATURESCAPE
Experience nature play right in the heart of Perth! Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park is packed full of wild fun, from rushing creeks and towering tree hides, to lofty aerial walkways and tricky rope tangles. Reconnect with nature and enjoy a great day out.
INFORMAL WALKING TRAILS
Kings Park is ‘crisscrossed’ by an extensive network of walk trails. These range in condition from sandy to paved paths and are supported by some signage. A map of the pathways, including information regarding path surfaces is available here.
Back along Fraser Avenue and it's stunning trees featuring a unique set of plaques dedicated to state officials during the 1929 Centenary of Western Australia. Here you will find the heritage style OLD TEA PAVILION on Victoria Lawn alongside the QUEEN VICTORIA MEMORIAL STATUE. Overlooking the city from Mt Eliza are the RIFLE RANGES.
BALI MEMORIAL
Commemorates the loss and suffering due to the Bali terrorist attacks, which occurred on 12 October 2002. The “Sunrise axis” is aligned so that a ray of light enters the memorial at sunrise on 12 October each year. In addition to the engraved plaque, a grove of sixteen grass trees was planted in memory of each Western Australian who died.
SOUTH AFRICAN MEMORIAL
This memorial honours Western Australian soldiers killed in the Boer War 1899 – 1902. Six bronze panels on three sides of the memorial depict scenes where Australians fought.
By 1909 the statue showed signs of deterioration and a replacement was unveiled on 23 March 1915. The Krupp field gun was captured at Bothaville and presented to the State by the Imperial Government in 1906.
JACOBS LADDER
The original staircase of 221 jarrah steps was built in 1909 but was replaced with concrete in the 1960's. The name refers to the biblical ladder between heaven and earth. This remains a popular exercise venue for the fit and it is much easier descending than ascending with the added bonus of stunning river views as you descend! The ladder comes out on Mounts Bay Road across the road from John Oldham Park.
Free public transport is available between Kings Park and the Perth city centre. Check the Transperth Journey Planner for times.
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I love wandering along trails, both marked and unmarked, and sharing my discoveries with my Out and About FNC community. If you enjoy reading my blogs please consider a small donation which will be used towards the costs of keeping the website up to date and relevant.
In the spirit of reconciliation Out and About- Family Nature Connection acknowledges the traditional owners of the Wadjak Boodjar (Perth land) and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
As always when hiking in the bush please help to reduce the spread of Phytophthora Dieback by sticking to the tracks and paths, staying out of quarantined areas and, if possible, clean your shoes before and after hiking. A spray of 70% methylated spirit and 30% water can be effective.
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