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Perth City Things To Do - Kings Park & Botanic Garden

Kings Park and Botanic Garden is visited by millions of people each year. Just a short stroll from the centre of Perth city Kings Park sits on 400 hectares of land. It is an oasis full of unique bushland, lakes, look outs, sculptured gardens, picnic areas and wildflowers. It is a popular place for locals and visitors to relax and find inspiration. The area is also considered sacred by Perth's Aborigines as it is believed that the serpent, the wagyl, went underground here and emerged at the base of Mt Eliza to create the Swan River.

Whether you are feeling energetic or would just like to relax there is plenty to do within Kings Park.

Lotterywest Federation Walkway

Lotterywest Federation WalkwayWalk amongst the treetops in a eucalypt canopy and enjoy the spectacular views of the city skyline and the State Botanic Garden. The Lotterywest Federation Walkway opened in 2003 and is one of the most popular tourist attractions here. The Walkway extends 620 metres through the Botanic Garden and has informative plaques dotted along the course of the path.

Aspects of Kings Park

Aspects of Kings Park is a unique shopping experience which combines art and design, ecology, conservation and education. It is full of high quality Australian design and craft. It is opened Monday to Sunday from 9am till 5pm.

Website: www.aspectsofkingspark.com.au

WA Botanic Garden

The Botanic Garden opened in 1965 and features many types of flora native to Western Australia. You will find 2000 of Western Australia's species of plants on displayed set amongst a beautiful landscape. The Botanic Garden is a living research centre committed to the conservation of Western Australia's flora. However the manicured lawns of the Garden are a favourite for picnics, weddings, outdoor events and simply lazy days in the sun. One of the highlights within the Botanic Garden is Gija Jumulu a Giant Boab which travelled 3200 kilometres to be planted here. The tree is estimated to be 750  years old, stretching 14 metres high and 8 metres wide. The tree was a special gift to all Western Australians from the local Indigenous people, the Gija who are the lands traditional owners.

Synergy Parkland

Let the kids take an adventure as they walk in the footprints of dinosaurs and discover ancient fossils in the Synergy Parkland. Spend the day here enjoying the park and the free BBQ and picnic areas or pop over to the Zamia Cafe.
Guided Walks

Departing daily at 10am and 2pm from Fraser Avenue are free guided walks of the parks. Bookings are not necessary for groups less than 10 people and the walks run throughout the year except on Christmas Day and Good Friday.
The Botanic Garden Walk takes you among the unique Western Australia flora living in the park. The Kings Park Past and Present Walk focuses on the Parks history with a lovely backdrop of native flora and panoramic views. The Past and Present Walk is suitable for wheelchairs. Both of these walks happen all year round.

From May through to October you can take part in the Water Views and Wilderness tour. On this walk you go deep into the bushland and see the plants in their natural settings. Join the Wilderness and Wildflowers tour and view the bush as spring flourishes. This tour is suitable for wheelchairs.

DNA Tower Climb

DNA Tower ClimbThe highest point of King Park is at the top of the DNA Tower. It sits at 15 metres high, with 101 steps and resembles a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) double helix molecule. The construction of the tower was commissioned by Dr John Beard the Director of Kings Park and Botanic Garden from 1961- 1970. The structure of the tower has stones set into it from 11 towns and 80 shires. On a clear day you may even be able to see out to the beach.

Bushland Nature Trail

Take a walk amongst the spectacular west coast wildflowers, trees and birdlife in their natural environment. Marking the entrance is an architecturally designed open mia-mia. A mia-mia was the chosen form of temporary shelter chosen by the Nyungar people. Keep your eyes open for some natural fauna as your path might be crossed by a bobtail lizard.

Law Walk

Law Walk is a 2.5km loop walk that starts at Rotunda Two and continues along the ridge of the limestone escarpment to Dryandra Lookout where visitors will be able to see flocks of birds flying in formation over the Swan River, glamourous yachts moored at Matlida Bay and perhaps dolphins playing. The walk returns via the Lotterywest Federation Walkway and takes about 45 minutes to complete.

History and Memorials

Mount Eliza otherwise known to the local Aborigines as Mooro Katta or Kaarta Gar-up is an important ceremonial and cultural place for the Indigenous people of Western Australia. It is also important to all Australians as it the site of the State War Memorial. Mt Eliza is located in a beautiful position with outlooks over the city skyline, Swan River and the distant hills.

Lotterywest Family Area

This area in the park is a popular place for families with young children. The Ivey Watson Playground has been designed with children under five in mind and for older children the Hale Oval holds lots of fun, including the very popular 'space net'.

Kokoda Track

The Kokoda Track Memorial Walk was built as a tribute to the Australian troops who fought through terrible conditions in Papua New Guinea between July 1942 and January 1943. The fighting on the Kokoda Track was one of the vital war efforts made my Australian soldiers in World War II. The casualties were high during this time with troops dying of malaria and other tropical diseases as well as being lost in battle. The Kings Park Kokoda Track Memorial Walk begins at Kennedy Fountain and climbs 150 steep steps to the State War Memorial. Informative plaques are lined along the walk.

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