A “city lung” of wildness and design

Don't let the word “park” fool you, half of Kings Park is actually well-preserved native bushland, and you'll even see kangaroos, birds and native wildflowers less than 2km from the city center. and native wildflowers. The other half of the park is a beautifully tended botanical garden and memorial plaza, a perfect blend of urban planning and nature.

One of the highlights is the Western Australian Botanic Garden, which specializes in the collection and display of Western Australia's endemic plants. With around 3,000 native plants planted according to climate zones, it's like wandering into an “Australian botanical atlas” while you walk around, especially during the spring wildflower season every year. Especially during the spring wildflower season, it is hard not to be impressed by the colorful impact.

What's more attractive is Kings Park's understanding of “nature education”, which is more than just putting up a few signs. You can walk slowly along the Botanic Garden Trail, and there will be thoughtful markers on the side to tell you about the origin of the plant, its use, and even its role in Aboriginal culture, many of which are bilingual (English + Aboriginal), which is not only intuitive, but also respectful of the local culture. For families with kids, this route is perfect for easy science + sightseeing.

City Viewing Stop No. 1: Overlooking Perth Without Climbing

If you're a ‘city viewer’ like me, then Kings Park is the place to be. Fraser Avenue is the classic main road, with long, symmetrical rows of eucalyptus trees on either side, like you're walking down some kind of royal avenue, and at the end of the road, there's the most stunning viewpoint of all time. At the end of the road are the most breathtaking viewpoints: Fraser Lookout and DNA Tower.

Fraser Lookout is a one-stop shop for “I'm in Perth” photos, with views of the Swan River, skyscrapers in the city center, and traffic on the Narrows Bridge, all from flat ground. I'm in Perth" kind of photo. DNA Tower is the only one in the park need to climb a little tower, it is inspired by the DNA double helix, climbed only a few floors high, but the 360-degree view is absolutely worth it, every time you climb to the top of the tower, some people exclaimed, “so Perth is so beautiful”.

And at night, it's a whole other story. City lights in the river reflections, the whole Perth seems to be set into the night, without a filter is very dreamy. Many local couples will come here for a date picnic, so if you're planning to be romantic too, come here with a light lunch and a blanket, and it really doesn't beat a sunset on the beach.

Walking the right route is more efficient than running around all day.

King's Park is so big that it looks like “a point” on the map, but it's actually “several scenic spots put together”. Therefore, the first time you come here, it is best to distinguish between the main path and the branch line, and arrange your time and energy.

We recommend that you enter through the Fraser Avenue entrance, which is best for first-time visitors. First go to State War Memorial and Flag Pole Hill for a round to warm up, then follow the Botanic Garden Trail inward, all the way through the garden area, native plant area, and finally walk to the Tree Top Walk, which is my favorite section in the whole park.

Tree Top Walk isn't very high, but it's very cleverly designed - you walk between the treetops, watching the natural shrubs under your feet, birds skimming around you, and the fake blue sky above you, and your whole being really calms down. It's a short walk, about 620 meters, and after you're done you can choose to continue on to one of Bushland's longer trails (like the Law Walk) for an in-depth hike, or go back the way you came, which is suitable for a variety of stamina and time budgets.

If you want to take it easy, we recommend that you finish the main trail in less than 2 hours. If you are a deep lover of plants, you will not get tired of arranging half a day.

Practical advice: don't go too late, don't be in a hurry

Transportation and Parking: Kings Park is very close to the city center, less than a 20-minute walk from the CBD, although it covers a large area. You can also take the Transperth 960 or 935 buses directly to the park, and get off at the Fraser Avenue exit, which is the main entrance. Parking is also very easy, as the park has a number of free parking zones, so you can get a good spot before 10am.

Best time to visit: Spring (September-November) is the best time to enjoy the flowers, the most colorful; while summer (December-February) is suitable for early in the morning or in the evening, the daytime is too sunny to stay for a long time. For those who want to take pictures of the night view, it is recommended to enter the park around 5:00 p.m. in the evening, and stay after the sunset until the time when the lights come on.

Dining: There are two restaurants in the park (Fraser's Restaurant and Zamia Café), the former is for formal dining and the latter is for coffee and snacks. There is also a communal BBQ area, which is a great option if you prefer to bring your own ingredients for a picnic.

Dress & Sun Protection: The Perth sun is particularly direct and you can easily get sunburnt even in the shade. We recommend wearing long sleeves, a hat and sunscreen; and make sure you wear good walking sneakers, not flip-flops, to challenge you on the trails.

Special Events: If you're in town for the Perth Wildflower Festival in the spring, don't miss it! In addition to the garden area, there will be a plant market, lectures and Aboriginal cultural demonstrations. If you're interested, you can check the website for the schedule in advance.

King's Park is not the kind of place where you just snap a picture and go, its beauty is hidden in the details. You can stay in the Botanic Gardens for a whole hour just to observe the color of a unique flower, or sit on the observation deck for ten minutes to see the flow of light and shadow of the Swan River. There's a lot to do in Perth, but if you're short on time, Kings Park has to be one of the ‘best value’ options. I memorized the route, took photos and chatted with locals, and came up with this “Park Route” which is suitable for first time visitors and not too tiring. I hope it will help you get the most out of this oversized oasis - without missing out on the best things and without getting exhausted.