Gardens and Parks of Perth

Visitors we’ve met have described Perth as a city that loves its parks and gardens. We can believe that from our walks around Perth. There are sixteen major(and many smaller) parks throughout the city, providing quiet respites from the hectic urban life. During our time here, we managed to visit many of these oases. Presented here is a sampling of some that we explored;

KINGS PARK: (discussed in more detail during a previous posting). Located on Mount Eliza, this is a thousand acre combination botanical garden, parkland, and natural bush land overlooking the Swan River. Additionally, the Park is home to the State War Memorial.It is considered to be the largest inner city park in the world. With over five million visitors per year, Kings Park is the most popular tourist attraction in Western Australia.

STIRLING GARDENS; Originally established in 1845 by the Perth Vineyard Society, this was the first botanical garden in the city, and,as such, is the oldest of Perth’s public gardens. Named after Governor James Stirling who had fought long and hard for creating a settlement in Western Australia (WA), this garden is in the heart of the Central Business District, near the State Supreme Court and Government House. Scattered throughout the grounds are kangaroo sculptures and fabled Mary Gibbs’ creations of “Snugglepot” and “Cuddlepie.”

LANGLEY PARK; Running alongside part of the Swan River, this Park was created between 1921 and 1935 ( with reclaimed land dredged from the river) in response to the city’s need for additional open spaces. Aviation pioneer, Major Norman Brearley, began using the park as an airstrip. This became a popular tradition (landing planes in the park) throughout the 1920’s and continues today with an annual fly-in of small aircraft. From 2006 until 2008, the Park was used as an airfield for the annual Red Bull Air Race World Series. The renowned “Cirque du Soleil” used the park several times for its big top shows.

QUEENS PARK; Opened as a park in 1899, this was originally known as Woodlupine. The name was changed to Queens Park in 1911, following a murder in the park (residents feared the incident would jeopardize the development of the area). Before it became part of Perth’s parks and gardens system, the area was used for horse racing and later (i.e. 1860 to 1890) as a clay mine and brickworks.

VICTORIA GARDENS; As one of Perth’s early parks, Victoria Gardens was originally planted in the late 1800’s. As the centerpiece for the Claisebrook Cove Village development, the gardens feature many artworks recognizing the history and culture of the local indigenous peoples. Because of this, the gardens are a favorite hangout for the aboriginal folks.

HEIRISSON ISLAND; This area of mudflats and small islands was known by the Beeloo Noongar people as “Matagarup” (meaning “one leg deep”) and was their first major crossing point upriver from the river’s mouth. The first European to explore this part of the river was Flemish explorer William de Vlamingh in 1697. Between 1801 and 1804, a scientific expedition, led by Nicolas Baudin aboard the French ship “Le Naturiste,” renamed the island after one of its midshipmen, Francois-Antoine Boniface Heirisson. Today, the island is used as a reserve for grey kangaroos.

Entrance to the Botanical Gardens section of King’s Park.

WA’s War Memorial overlooking the Swan River.

Stirling Gardens main entrance off of St. George’s Terrace.

Australian author, Mary Gibbs’ “Snugglepot” and “Cuddlepie” statues within Stirling Gardens.

Langley Park running alongside of the Swan River.

Archival photo of the annual “Fly-in” at Langley Park.

Opened as a public garden in 1899, Queens Park was originally known as Woodlupine Park...

...but before it became a Park, the area was once a clay pit used for brick making.

Some of the trees in Victoria Gardens were originally planted in the late 1800’s.

Throughout this park are a number of artworks depicting indigenous culture and history...

...including this “Dreaming Story” mosaic.

Heirisson Island was known as “Matagarup” by the Noongar peoples of Perth.

For centuries, this Island was the major crossing point over the river for indigenous peoples of Perth. This statue on the island is dedicated to a Noongar warrior, “Yogan”, who led the resistance against British settlement of the area.

Much of Heirisson island today is used as a reserve for a colony of grey kangaroos.