Kings Park, Perth

Each summer Shakespeare WA present a series of Shakespearean plays in the confines of Kings Park. It's a great way to spend a summer's evening, take a picnic blanket, some food and wine (byo) and enjoy a choice of performances. Tickets for the 2012 season cost $49 and can be bought at the venue (Women's Pioneer Memorial) and the season runs until the 4th of February 2012.

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King's Park is much bigger than you might imagine - about 4 square kilometers in total. There are several walking trails which all have impressive views of Swan River and of Perth City - so don't be picky and try out any one of them.

All the greenery is very well cared for and the park itself is more or less spotless.

Perthians seem to be proud of this park, and for good reason. It really is quite lovely.

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Walked over to the park from the city. The park is very large. I just wandered around it on my own and took pictures. The cockatoos feeding on the grass were a really treat, as were the sweeping views of the city.

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Kings Park is like Central Park in New York. A Natural habitat filled with beautiful flora and fauna. You can explore many parts of the park and relax among the flowers and inquisitive ducks. Right near the War Memorial is the whispering seat where you sit at opposite ends of an arched seat, whisper and the other person can hear you clear as a bell.
For the fitness fanatics, you can run up and down Jacobs Ladder which now has become a regular workout for those that are in traininng, or those that are trying to get back into fitness. Then there is the DNA Tower in Forrest Drive opposite the Botanic Garden where you can see above the treetops. Again this is a steep climb of four levels.
The Botanic Garden is often used for picnics, plays and entertainers. I saw Norah Jones perform here and Mid Summer's Nights Dream.
In Summer Kings Park hosts Sunset Cinema,where you grab a blanket and picnic hamper and while under the stars enjoy either an old movie or the latest blockbuster.
Kings Park has a truly relaxing atmosphere where you can get away from it all.

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We walked from the city centre of Perth to Kings Park. From the moment we reached this city park we were really impressed by its beauty with the tree lined roads, green and well maintained lawns, statues and memorials.
Situated on Mount Eliza a lot of viewing points offer superb views of the city with its skyline of skyscrapers above the Swan River. Perhaps one of the best is Kaarta Gar-up Lookout on Fraser Avenue.

We saw the very impressive State War Memorial with the eternal flame, the granite obelisk and the bronze plaques with the names of 11.000 (!!!) Australians, who died while serving their country. A dignified place to commemorate these brave men and women.

We walked through the Botanic Garden and did the Lotterywest Federation Walkway and ended on a terrace for a cup of coffee and to enjoy the sun and the scenery. Nearby is ‘Aspects of Kings Park’, an excellent retail gift shop with art, design and craft consisting of jewellery, textiles, ceramics, glass, wood and printed works.
Also along Fraser Avenue we found a small Aboriginal Gallery.

So I must have visited ever Botanical Gardens Australia has to offer, well it seems there's one in ever town I visited.
The ones in Perth are fantastic, if only for the views you get of the city and the Swan river.
They have a great tree top walkway where you can look down on the plants, they seem to 'rent' out parts of the park for weddings photos, I saw school groups touring around, there's lakes and ponds, good displays of local and national plants and trees. They have a huge war memorial.
If you want to walk to the park from the city, remember that it's quite a steep walk, easy if you're fit and healthy.
No entry fees to pay, they have a good information desk with very helpful advisors a lovely gallery/shop and a cafe where you can sit outdoors, plus fast food outlets, for some reason.

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There are so many things to see and do in Kings Park, views, walks, open air theatre, restaurant, memorials, BBQ sites, picnic sites... I include a web site that gives a map of park and more info .
Approx. 1,000 acres or 406 ha.
The Lotterywest Federation Walkway starts opposite Lord Forrest Statue roundabout on Fraser Avenue and leads down through the Botanic Garden. It is a combination of footpaths, elevated walkway and a glass and steel arched bridge. Closest parking is Forrest car park.
Free Guided Walks are at 10.00 and 2.00pm daily starting from across the road from the Floral Clock on Fraser Ave.
Normally the Wildflower Festival is held in late September when the wildflowers are blooming.
The DNA Tower is in Forrest Drive opposite the Botanic Garden.
There is a taxi stand behind Fraser's Restaurant. You will need to ring for a taxi. A public telephone is available next to the kiosk.
Tram leaves from the Tram Stop in the Restaurant Car Park off Fraser Avenue and goes either through the City or through the Park to the University and back. There is a commentary and one may get off at a stop, explore and board a later tram. For more detailed information, speak to the driver
There is no bike hire in Kings Park. You have to pay for wedding photography in the park, so plz note this .

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January 26th is Australia Day and is celebrated across the country in many different ways, but all culminating in a grand finale fireworks display. In Perth it's called the Skyshow and is a sponsered event.

Both river foreshores and Kings Park are packed out for this free day. If you happen to be visiting Perth in January and would like something to do on this public holiday, I would recommend a trip up to Kings Park with your picnic rug and hamper but bring enough food to last for quite a few hours. I usually get to the park around 10.30am to ensure a good spot. If you have children with you, pack a few board games to occupy them whilst waiting for dark. There will be other highlights throughout the day like skydiving, boat racing, aerial acrobatics and more recently a MIG fly over.

It took me ages to get into Kings Park, as many of the entrances were sealed off (danger of falling rocks). In the end, I went up Jacobs Ladder (a set of stairs - was so out of breath after that climb!) and finally got to the park.

Walk or drive through Kings Park in Perth and you cannot help but notice the small markers at the base of the trees that line the avenues throughout the park. They're all in rememberance of individual men who lost their lives fighting in WWI and WWII.
Where you see two together, it's to mark brothers, mates who were inseperable in life or maybe even a father and son who lost their lives in different wars. So many markers, so many lives.

The cenotaph standing on the edge of the Mt Eliza scarp and visible from all around is the most obvious monument in the park but Western Australians left home to fight for King and Country in many wars and the park is home to many memorials, large and small. Entering the park by the main gate, the first large monument you'll see, over on your left, is the South African War memorial, commemerating the men who fought for the Empire at the very beginning of the 20th century. The most recent addition is the Vietnam Memorial sculpture and pavilion in the middle of the park.