Kings Park - Bushland Nature Trail with DNA Tower and Firefighters Memorial Grove

With a few hours to spare we decided to explore the Bushland Nature Trail in Kings Park. This trail is a 900m loop taking about 30 minutes to walk. Parking is available at the Botanic Garden car park off Forrest Drive or the nearby DNA Tower car park. There are toilet facilities at the Botanic Garden car park and vast green spaces for picnics directly across the road. The Trail can also be accessed from the Pines car park on Lovekin Drive.

We parked at the May Drive Car Park and walked up Broadwalk Vista, a 1.4km green strip connecting the east and west of the park. At the top of Broadwalk Vista is the DNA Tower and we climbed the 101 steps to the top for panoramic views of Perth. At the base of the tower we discovered the Firefighter's Memorial Grove.

From here it is a short walk to the entrance of the Bushland Nature Trail which is marked by an open Mia Mia sculpture and a mosaic featuring the Menzies banksia.

Being Spring we were expecting to see lots of wildflowers and weren't disappointed. The wildflowers are in their natural setting so you don't get the dense displays you see in the Botanic Gardens. The plants are all labelled and there are information panels as well so you can learn more about the plants you see. Guided walks are available from July to October which is the best time to visit this trail.

The trail is partly packed limestone but is mostly an elevated metal walkway which protects the delicate undergrowth but also means you are not able to see the flowers up close. I didn't take many photos as most of the plants were a bit too far away - I prefer close ups to get the detail of the flower.

On our return to the car instead of heading back along Broadwalk Vista we chose a narrower trail running parallel to the wide open space and giving closer access to wildflowers than the Bushland Trail.

With the car at May Drive Parkland it was easy for the kids to have a play at the amazing dinosaur themed playground and for us to have a cuppa at the Zamia Cafe. There are also toilets and picnic facilitiies here.

With so many things to do in Kings Park including three other amazing playgrounds: Saw Avenue Variety Place Playground, Rio Tinto Naturescape or Ivey Watson Playground in the Poolgarda Family Area. There are lots of different walks to do as well as tracks through the bush areas to explore.

During the Kings Park Festival in September when the wildflowers are at their best you can design your own 30 to 90 minute walk through the beautiful Botanic Gardens.

Download Kings Park maps at: https://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/kings-park-and-bold-park-maps

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In the spirit of reconciliation Out and About- Family Nature Connection acknowledges the traditional owners of the Wadjak boodjar (Perth land) and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

I love wandering along trails, both marked and unmarked, and sharing my discoveries with my Out and About FNC community.  If you enjoy reading my blogs please consider a small donation which will be used towards the costs of keeping the website up to date and relevant.

As always when hiking in the bush please help to reduce the spread of Phytophthora Dieback by sticking to the tracks and paths, staying out of quarantined areas and, if possible, clean your shoes before and after hiking. A spray of 70% methylated spirit and 30% water can be effective.