Kings Park and Botanic Garden

Kings Park and Botanic Garden is one of the world’s largest inner city parks, and an incredibly diverse, beautiful one at that! 

This is a photograph of a small waterfall within Kings Park and Botanic Garden. Water gushes down the stream and falls onto brown rocks, creating patches of white cloudy water at the base. 
Photo credit: Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

Cultural Recognition

We recognise and acknowledge Whadjuk people as the traditional custodians of Kings Park and Botanic Garden. Kaarta Koomba, Mooro Katta and Kaarta Gar-up are some of the many names Aboriginal people have for Mount Eliza, on which Kings Park and Botanic Garden sits. 

Overview of Kings Park and Botanic Garden

Located just five minutes west of the Perth CBD on Mount Eliza, Kings Park offers sweeping views of the city and Swan River. The 400 hectare park is made up of manicured gardens, native bushland, educational and recreational facilities, and plenty of places to play! 

You can explore the park by following one of many walk trails or designated cycle paths, or by car.

Entry to Kings Park and Botanic Garden is free, and dogs are allowed on-lead in most areas (click here for more information). 

This photograph shows an aerial walkway that was built through and over green trees. The walkway has a brown wooden path. The beams and netting of the structure are grey, with some parts featuring brown wood panels. Children are on either side of the walkway, with two (2) kids walking toward the right and looking at the camera. The blue sky can be seen above the structure and tree foliage.
Photo credit: J Thomas. Thanks to Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority.

Nature Play Resources

Nature Play WA has created fun and interactive resources for Kings Park and Botanic Garden. 

For more fun, interactive nature play activities for families that can be used wile exploring any location, check out our free, Every Kid in a Park resource library

Family Resource Library

Activities & Information

With its proximity to Perth, the picturesque Kings Park and Botanic Garden has plenty to offer families looking for space to spend time in nature together.

This photograph shows two (2) people walking across the steel bridge along the Lotterywest Federation Walkway. They are walking towards the camera and are holding hands. The side barriers of the bridge are glass, and the base is red/brown steel. A flat, cream-coloured walk path can be seen below the bridge which is placed amongst a thick green forest. The city skyline and the Swan River can be seen on the right. The sky above is full of white clouds with some patches of blue.
Make your way across the Lotterywest Federation Walkway to explore more of Kings Park and Botanic Garden. Photo credit: Tourism WA

Be sure to pack a picnic to enjoy atop the green grass of Fraser Avenue (one of four picnic areas – see our Points of Interest for more) and make use of the free electric barbecues available.  

Visit the free-to-enter Botanic Garden to see over 3,000 varieties of WA’s native flora, including rare and threatened species. We also highly recommend stopping in at Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park to enjoy some next-level nature play! 

For those who want the complete Kings Park experience, there are multiple cafes, the Visitor Information Centre and Aspects of Kings Park Gallery Shop to check out too.

This photograph shows Lycopod Island at May Drive Parkland. The photo shows the replicas of lycopod trees. These are very thin and tall with branches that appear white in colour. A play space with a sandpit, stairs, a slide and a water misting forest sits beneath the trees and is shaded by white shade sails. Green trees and bush surround the play space, where people are resting and playing. The green grass of May Drive Parkland is seen between the play space and trees. The sky above is light blue and appears white on the left due to the glare of the sun. 
Lycopod Island at May Drive Parkland. Photo credit: J Thomas. Thanks to Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority.
This is a close-up photograph of a Shark Bay Beaufortia. The plant has thin brown stems that are covered with very small round leaves. The flowers of the plant are white and fluffy.
Shark Bay Beaufortia (Beaufortia sprengelioides) found at Kings Park and Botanical Garden. Photo credit: Tourism Western Australia
This is a photo of an Australian ringneck parrot. It is mostly green in colour with a yellow band on its neck. It has a blue cheek and a patch of blue on its feathers. It has a brown/black beady eye and a cream beak. Above its beak and nose is a bright red patch. The bird sits on a branch that has green leaves with a red stem.
A great crested grebe.  Photo credit: Trails WA.

While Kings Park is a haven for all kinds of wildlife, the birdlife is particularly special. There are over 70 species of birds that flit about the park, from common species like the western wattlebird, grey fantail and tawny frogmouth, to the endangered Carnaby’s black cockatoo.  

Birds you’re most likely to see include the kookaburra, Australian magpie, Australian raven, galah and rainbow lorikeet. 

There are 20 reptile species and hundreds of different invertebrates. Some interesting creepy crawlies that live here include the rare, native scarp snail (Bothriembryon indutus), and the trapdoor spider, which is usually only found in the east and south of Australia. Native mammals include the brushtail possum and quenda. Many species of native bat also live here, like Gould’s wattled bat, the southern forest bat and white-striped free-tailed bat. 

Kings Park is mostly made up of limestone heathland and banksia woodland. As you explore the park, you’ll see some magnificent native trees, including marri, jarrah, tuart, sheoak and banksia trees. 

In fact, there are 326 species of local native plants in Kings Park! Native shrubs include the parrot bush, prickly moses, Swan River myrtle and three flowered pea. In late winter and spring, some beautiful orchids bloom, so keep an eye out for the donkey orchid, banded greenhood and spider orchid. 

The Western Australian Botanic Garden displays around 3,000 of WA’s 12,000 species of native flora. It includes a Conservation Garden, which displays WA’s most critically endangered and rare species, like the Qualup bell. The Botanic Garden is free to enter, and is a must-do at Kings Park.

Remember to wear adequate sun protection and bring plenty of drinking water for a day at Kings Park and Botanic Garden. 

In spring and summer, many reptiles emerge to bask in the sun. During this time you should take precautions to minimise the chance of encountering snakes: 

  • Take care in bushland and grassy areas.  
  • Walk in cleared areas only, where you can see the ground, and keep to established tracks.  
  • When bushwalking, stay on the paths, wear long trousers and boots or other enclosed footwear that preferably cover the ankles.  
  • Keep a watchful eye on the ground about a metre ahead of where you are walking, and avoid entering areas of long grass, rushes and undergrowth. 

Read the Kings Park and Botanic Garden Visitor Checklist to ensure you’re prepared for your visit. 

This photograph shows two (2) adults riding bicycles in Kings Park. They are riding black bikes along a flat, grey, concrete path. The path is surrounded by fallen brown leaves and weaves its way through thick green and brown bushland. The sky is blue with patches of white cloud, and can be seen through the tree foliage. 
Couple cycling on one of the many paths at Kings Park and Botanic Garden. Photo credit: Tourism Western Australia

While Kings Park and Botanic Garden has many recreational areas, it is also home to many plants and animals. Follow the tips below to assist the protection of the park’s natural environment. 

  • Only follow designated walking path, trails and roads. 
  • Leave no trace. When picnicking, ensure all food is contained and out of reach of wildlife, and take all belongings with you when you leave. 
  • Use the bins provided or take your rubbish with you. 
  • Do not pick any flowers or leaves from plants. 
  • Do not feed or disturb wildlife. 

Read the Kings Park and Botanic Garden Visitor Checklist to ensure you’re prepared for your visit. 

This is a close-up photograph of a willie wagtail. The bird is mostly black with a white belly. It appears to have white eyebrows and white whiskers. It is standing on green grass.

Visit the Kings Park and Botanic Garden website for more information about Kings Park and Botanic Garden. 

Acknowledgements

Nature Play WA would like to thank Kings Park and Botanic Garden for providing valuable information about Kings Park and Botanic Garden.  

  • This photograph shows an aerial walkway that was built through and over green trees. The walkway has a brown wooden path. The beams and netting of the structure are grey, with some parts featuring brown wood panels. Children are on either side of the walkway, with two (2) kids walking toward the right and looking at the camera. The blue sky can be seen above the structure and tree foliage.
  • This photograph shows two (2) people walking across the steel bridge along the Lotterywest Federation Walkway. They are walking towards the camera and are holding hands. The side barriers of the bridge are glass, and the base is red/brown steel. A flat, cream-coloured walk path can be seen below the bridge which is placed amongst a thick green forest. The city skyline and the Swan River can be seen on the right. The sky above is full of white clouds with some patches of blue.
  • This photograph shows two (2) adults riding bicycles in Kings Park. They are riding black bikes along a flat, grey, concrete path. The path is surrounded by fallen brown leaves and weaves its way through thick green and brown bushland. The sky is blue with patches of white cloud, and can be seen through the tree foliage. 
  • This photograph shows Lycopod Island at May Drive Parkland. The photo shows the replicas of lycopod trees. These are very thin and tall with branches that appear white in colour. A play space with a sandpit, stairs, a slide and a water misting forest sits beneath the trees and is shaded by white shade sails. Green trees and bush surround the play space, where people are resting and playing. The green grass of May Drive Parkland is seen between the play space and trees. The sky above is light blue and appears white on the left due to the glare of the sun. 
  • This is a close-up photograph of a Shark Bay Beaufortia. The plant has thin brown stems that are covered with very small round leaves. The flowers of the plant are white and fluffy.
  • This is a photo of a kangaroo paw. The stems of the plant are green in colour, with orange/red coloured flowers. The background of the photo is blurred and shows green plants and buildings in the city.
  • This photo shows the Gija Jumulu (Giant Boab) on the right of the image. The tree is light brown/cream in colour and has a thick, chunky trunk and thin branches. A man is standing at a lookout, which features a stone barrier wall and a cream and red coloured handrail. The lookout provides views of the Swan River, which appears blue in colour. The sky above is full of white fluffy clouds with small patches of blue visible
  • This photograph shows a family on a walk trail at Kings Park. Three (3) people are looking towards the camera, and the person closest to the camera is holding a small child on their shoulders. They are standing in front of a green banksia bush. Tall trees surround the area, with cream coloured trunks and green foliage. The sun appears to be white and is seen through the trees.