Kings Park is the top attraction spot when you google for attractions in Perth, and although I was wondering what could be so interesting about a nature park, I was soon in awe of this huge park nestled in the middle of the city.
It is said to be one of the largest inner city parks in the world and it even surpassed the large Central Park in New York (as quoted from Wikipedia)
Kings Park is really huge and is not just a popular tourist attraction but also one of the favorite spot for the locals for picnics while admiring the natural beauty of nature.
Kings Park is also located on Mount Eliza, a hill which overlooks Perth City and is part of the backbone which formed the botanic park and bushlands.
The park was originally named as Perth Park when it was officially opened in 1895, August 10th.
The renaming to Kings Park took place in the year 1901, in conjunction with the ascension of King Edward VII to the British throne. It was also to commemorate the honourable visit of Princess Mary and George, The Duke of Cornwall to Perth during the same time frame.
In fact, one of the drives was named after the royal princess; May Drive.
If you think that Kings Park is only for nature lovers and that you can probably spend only an hour here, you will need to think again and rearrange your schedule.
Driving around the huge park is not really advisable if you have not tried to explore the park on foot before.
Furthermore, there is nothing to worry about parking space as the park itself houses five internal car parks, and the best part is, it's free (unlike most of the other car parks in Perth and it is really rare to find a free car park)
September is really a good month to visit the Kings Park as it hosts the annual Kings Park festival, showcasing a wide variety and assortment of wildflowers which are the pride of the country, in conjunction with the beautiful start of spring.
There are also free guided walk tours to bring you around the gardens and explore the wildflowers in depth
There is also a tourist information centre whereby friendly volunteers helped to guide you with instructions.
If that is not good enough, feel free to self-navigate through the map and the free brochures available in the center.
It is the festival of the Wild flowers, so be prepared to be greeted by the lovely spread all over the park and garden.
The theme of this festival in conjunction with the spring season attracted visitors from all over Australia and also the world, and it is no wonder it is the pride of Kings Park which earned its name as the Kings Park festival.
We were told by the friendly guides at the Tourist Information Center that most of the wild flowers can be found right at the main entrance of the park where they grow most of the wild flowers within the same spot for easier navigation or appreciation of the visitors to the park.
(It is also a helpful motion for those who would not be able to traverse through the entire park to admire each and every wild flower in bloom, not a bad idea, that one =)
Aren't the wild flowers just beautiful? =)
This is a very unique flower, and as I have overheard from a passing local telling her friend, it is found in Western Australia.
I love the velvety texture of the stalk of the flower; which is named Mangle Kangaroo.
More wild flowers
To be continued...
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