Kings Park Perth

Article by: Elizabeth
Last updated: Tuesday, 11-Jul-2006 00:00:00 CEST

King's Park the Western Australian Botanic Garden, was opened in 1965 and features a unique collection of mainly Western Australian plants displayed either as individual specimens or in groups within a wonderful landscape of parkland.

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The Botanic Garden is unusual in concentrating on local flora, primarily because of the extraordinary diversity of unique Western Australian wildflowers.

About 2,000 of Western Australia's 12,000 species of plants are displayed, with major gardens concentrating on regional floras of great species richness and beauty.

The magnificent landscaped gardens and parkland lawns of the Botanic Garden are a favourite for picnics, relaxing in the sun or shade, weddings or attending outdoor cinema, drama and musical events during the summer months.

Kings Park Bushland
About 1.5 km from the city and within close proximity to Perth CBD, Kings Park and Botanic Gardens cover approximately 406 hectares including 267 hectares of old established bushland. The external boundaries are defined by the outer roads of Mounts Bay Road, Kings Park Road, Thomas Street and Winthrop Avenue. Bushland boundaries within the park are mainly defined by pathways or lawns.

Geology
The escarpment of Kings Park rises steeply to a height of 65m from the Swan River and is visible from the city foreshore and surrounding suburbs. Views from the escarpment overlook Perth city, the Swan River and Darling Scarp in the distance. Geologically it is within the Spearwood Dune System with soils of the Karrakatta Soil Association. Over time, leaching of the calcareous sands has led to the formation of limestone at greater depths. This is demonstrated by the limestone cliffs exposed above Mounts Bay Road. As a result of past weathering, Kings Park slopes from high areas in the south-east to low lying areas in the south-west. The limestone cliffs have been exposed as the Swan River receded, and are a significant landform of the bushland. The soils can be divided into two main types: medium size, calcareous sands; and shallow sands with exposed limestone. Apart from sand varying in pH, degree of leaching and grain size, there are areas of sandy loams. The underlying sand loam sheets, with perched water tables (for some months of the year) are important as they coincide with more vigorous vegetation cover.

Flora
The bushland contains two readily distinguished plant communities that reflect the soils and landforms on which they are found - mixed closed heath on the shallow calcareous soils with exposed limestone on the escarpment; and Eucalyptus/Allocasuarina/Banksia open woodland to forests on the deep calcareous sands. There are 319 species of native plants growing in the bushland, which represents about 19% of the native flora of the Perth Region. There is also a variety of large fungi found in the bushland.

Of particular importance is the limestone escarpment. Only three relatively large areas of cliff-side vegetation, Kings Park, Blackwall Reach and Mt Henry can now be found along the Swan River. The mixed closed heaths of the escarpment contain diverse and unique shrubs, herbs and grasses normally associated with limestone heaths.

Fauna
The bushland provides a benefit to local birds and invertebrates, allowing the continuation of species migration through the urban environment. About eighty species of native birds, five snake species and twenty species of lizards inhabit Kings Park bushland. There is the Brushtail Possum and a number of bat species representing the native mammals of the Park. Kings Park supports a rare population and habitat of native snail, the Scarp Snail. This species is also found along the Darling Range, which has a granite and lateritic environment. The trap door spider, although not rare, has 'localised' population differences in Kings Park. Usually it occurs on the Darling Scarp and in the Jarrah forest to Albany.

Things To Do
There are so many things to do in Kings Park and Botanic Garden - whether you are with family or friends for an afternoon picnic, wanting to relax and take in the magnificent views of Perth, or perhaps you feel like some unique retail therapy...

Here are 10 things to do in Kings Park and Botanic Garden.

1. The Lotterywest Federation Walkway
Enjoy the wonderful views of the city of Perth and the Swan River whilst walking amongst the treetops in the Western Australian Botanic Garden.Sit down and partake in lunch or drinks or coffees whilst taking in the magnificent views of the city and Swan River plus the eastern hills.

2. Aspects of Kings Park
Visit Aspects of Kings Park and browse through unique Western Australian arts and crafts. Product sales support the conservation work.

3. Walk the Bushland Nature Trail and Law Walk

4. Climb the 101 steps to the top of DNA Tower. On a clear day you might be able to see the beach

5. Contemplate and reflect at the State War Memorial Precinct

6. Western Power Parkland
Let the children play in the footprints of dinosaurs and discover ancient fossils; this is This is an exciting and challenging facility for children to explore, discover and play.
They can discover the dinasaur footprints and ancient fossils. There are free BBQ's and picnic areas. Food and drinks are available from the cafes within Kings Park.

7. Climb the Kokoda Walk Track - an experience not to be missed by young or not so young

8. Take a Free Guided Walk through the Park with an experienced Volunteer Guide

9. Visit Lotterywest Family Area for playground fun and a child friendly cafe. Free BBQ's and picnic areas available.

10.Discover the delights of the fragile and unique biodiversity of Western Australia showcased in the Botanic Garden.

Playgrounds, Picnic Areas, Memorials and Gardens
For the young and young at heart, Kings Park and Botanic Garden offers are wide range of playground and picnic areas to be enjoyed.

For the little ones (0-5 years), the Lotterywest Family Area is the perfect place for to run and climb in a safe, happy and relaxed environment. Stickybeaks Cafe offers wonderful food and friendly service

The Western Power Parkland is a major attraction for older children (and adults alike!) with innovative play equipment and artwork, including life-sized replicas of the worlds first trees (lycopods), Australia's unique dinosaur Muttaburrasaurus and the giant thunderbirds Bullockornis that roamed the Australian deserts thousands of years ago

The Arthur Fairall Playground is Located within the Western Power Parkland which has been redeveloped using natural materials of wood, stone and water, to keep children in touch with nature. Some of the original timber log play pieces from the original playground, remain well-used and clambered over today. Zamia Cafe provides a wonderful respite, with coffee, cakes and meals to suit all ages

There are many wide open areas to play with the children, picnic areas, quiet spots to enjoy and an abundance of activities to experience.