Kings Park, including the Western Australia Botanic Gardens is a real community treasure. Covering a whopping 1000 acres, or 400.6 hectares, it sits next to the Swan River with the CBD to the east and fashionable district Subiaco to the west.

A solitary stolen hour reading on a park bench or a formal ceremony of state; a class of school children exploring native flora or a lavish society wedding- Kings Park can be something to everyone.

Originally called Perth Park, it began in 1872 with a 400 hectare gift to the city. More land was added until by 1890 it had grown to the 1000 acres of today. In 1901 King Edward VII ascended the British Throne, and his Son the Duke of Cornwall visited Perth. The park was re-named to mark the occasion.

17 hectares of the reserve land is given over to the Botanic Gardens. They focus on native Western Australian plants entirely- displaying about 2,000 of the state’s 12,000 endemic plant species, particularly the wildflowers WA is so famous for.

Other areas of the park are devoted to tree-lined walks and promenades, picnic spots and precincts for different activities: The Lotterywest family area is dotted with gazebos, pools, playgrounds and barbeques; there is a cricket pitch and tennis courts nearby. The Kings Park Bushland is mapped with walking and cycling tracks. There is a tea pavilion, an aboriginal art gallery, several cafes and endless picnic spots.

Each year in springtime, when the wild flowers are in all their glory, is the month long Kings Park Festival, a tradition going back to 1965. The festival offers something for everyone, with gardening workshops, artists in residence, indigenous performance and outdoor theatre as well as face painting and shenanigans for the kids.