Kings Park & Botanic Garden, Perth, Western Australia
Perched on a 50-metre escarpment above the Swan River, Kings Park is one of the world's largest inner-city parks — 400 hectares of manicured gardens blending into genuine bushland right in the heart of Perth. The view from the Federation Walkway across the CBD skyline and the glittering river below is the defining image of Western Australia's capital.
The View and How to Reach It
The Fraser Avenue lookout, lined with a double row of lemon-scented gum trees planted in 1938, is the most photographed spot in the park. Arrive at sunrise and you will often have it to yourself — the light turns the river copper and the city glass towers catch the first pink of the day.
The Federation Walkway is a 620-metre steel and glass bridge that arcs through the tree canopy at 15 metres above ground, giving you an eye-level perspective on the jarrah and marri forest that covers the park's bushland section. The walkway is free to walk and open daily from 7 am.
Wildflowers and When to Go
Western Australia is famous for its wildflower season (August–October), and Kings Park's Botanic Garden is the most accessible showcase in the state. The annual Kings Park Festival in September fills the garden with free guided walks, night-lit sculptures and live music — it draws over 300,000 visitors and is the largest free community event in Western Australia.
The DNA Tower — a double-helix staircase rising 15 metres — offers a 360-degree panorama over the park and city and is particularly dramatic at dusk. The Aspects of Kings Park gallery in the park sells work exclusively by Western Australian artists, making it one of the best spots in Perth to buy a meaningful souvenir.
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