Perth Landmarks and Monuments

(Perth, Western Australia - WA, Australia)

As the capital of Western Australia and therefore the state's most important city, Perth is home to many noteworthy landmarks and countless monuments of historical significance.

These include many buildings that have played key roles in the city's history, such as the Old Court House within Barrack Street's Supreme Court Gardens, and the Town Hall on Barrack Square, which is interestingly the only Town Hall in the whole of Australia to be built by the hands of convicts. Also of note in Perth is the Government House on St. George's Terrace, and the Parliament House on the Harvest Terrace, which stands close to the Barracks Arch and was constructed at the beginning of the 20th century by using local bricks originating from nearby Rottnest Island.

The Western Australian capital also comes with no less than two observatories (Old and New), a state library, a historic mint and various National Trust properties, such as both the Old Perth Boys School and the Woodbridge House. The Swan Bell Tower, also known as the Swan Bells, is a stylish contemporary, predominantly glass landmark presiding over Barrack Square, being surrounded by giant palm trees and located next to the Swan River, the Barrack Street Jetty, the Riverside Drive and the Alf Curlewis Gardens.

Swan Bells / Swan Bell Tower

Address: Barrack Square, Perth, Western Australia (WA), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 9218 8183
Built to celebrate the New Millennium, the city's stunning Swan Bell Tower has quickly become one of the most important and instantly recognisable sights in the whole of Western Australia. Built between 1999 and 2001, at the cost of more than AU$5 million, this glass campanile measures in at some 82 metres / 268 feet high and is home to 12 bells from the historic St. Martin-in-the-Fields, together with six new bells. Noteworthy attractions include bell handling demonstrations and stunning architecture, which lends itself to arty photographs.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors

Town Hall

Address: Barrack Street, Perth, Western Australia (WA), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 9461 3333
Standing just across from St. George's Cathedral, on the corner of Barrack Street and Hay Street, the stunning sight that is Perth Town Hall dates back to the late 1860s, when it was built by convict labour. The hall features a striking clock tower and hosts a number of seasonal events throughout the year. For many years, a series of shops occupied the ground floor, until the major restoration work of the 1990s, when the Gothic-style arches were modernised.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free, charge for some events

Government House

Address: St. George's Terrace, Perth, Western Australia (WA), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 9429 9199
Located in the city centre, Government House was built in the mid-19th century and is a particularly grand and impressive city landmark. Home to the Governor of Western Australia, this official residence is only open to the public on special occasions, although viewing from the outside is possible. Neighbouring attractions include the Alf Curlewis Gardens, the Stirling Gardens and the Bell Tower on the Barrack Street Jetty.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free

Parliament House

Address: Harvest Terrace, Perth, Western Australia (WA), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 9222 7429
Presiding over the Harvest Terrace, Parliament House was built in 1904 from a mixture of granite and freestone. Housing Western Australia's seat of government, this palatial building was extended in 1964 and overlooks much of the city centre. There are many attractive period features, with regular guided tours being available on Mondays and Thursdays at 10:30.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00.
Admission: free

Perth Mint

Address: 310 Hay Street, Perth, Western Australia (WA), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 9421 7277
Located on Hay Street, close to both Wellington Square and St. Mary's Cathedral, the Perth Mint is the oldest working mint in the whole of Australia. Founded at the end of the 19th century, attractions here include regular demonstrations of the production of actual gold bullion bars, many gold-related exhibits and an interesting gift shop.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 16:00, Saturday and Sunday - 09:00 to 13:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors

Old Perth Observatory

Address: 4 Havelock Street, Perth, Western Australia (WA), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 9321 6008
The Old Perth Observatory is a stunning, historic building dating back to the late 19th century. Standing opposite the Parliament House and near the Botanic Gardens, this local landmark features impressive architecture, stunning views and many historic, period features. Of interest, the actual observatory part of this structure was moved to a new, more appropriate site in Bickley during the 1960s.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

New Perth Observatory

Address: Walnut Road, Bickley, Western Australia (WA), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 9293 8255
Situated within the suburb of Bickley, the city's popular 'new' observatory was opened on this site in 1968. With regular viewings of the stars via the powerful telescope, further onsite attractions include a museum area, many displays, slide shows, guided tours and seasonal astronomy related events.
Open hours: Sunday - from 14:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children

State Library

Address: Alexander Library Building, Francis Street, Perth, Western Australia (WA), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 9427 3111
The State Library, in the heart of the city centre, is part of the Perth Cultural Centre complex, along with the adjacent Western Australia Museum, the Institute of Contemporary Arts and the Kingston International College. Home to literally thousands of books and many important regional documents, the library also features Internet access, which is popular with tourists looking to send some virtual postcards or holiday emails. Several good Chinese restaurants are within the vicinity, should you be feeling peckish after your visit.
Open hours: Monday to Thursday - 09:00 to 21:45, Friday - 09:00 to 17:30, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 17:30
Admission: free

Barracks Archway

Address: Saint George's Terrace, Perth, Western Australia (WA), Australia
Tel: +1 300 361 351
The centrally located Barracks Archway serves as something of a monument to the city's original settlers and immigrants. Constructed in the middle of the 19th century and standing on Saint George's Terrace, close to Maynard House and the Eric Silberts Gardens, the archway is also an important heritage landmark.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Caversham House

Address: 141 Caversham Avenue, Caversham, Western Australia (WA), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 9279 1167
Caversham House is situated in the extremely picturesque Swan Valley area of Perth, within the suburb of Caversham, roughly 30 minutes to the north-east and alongside many famous vineyards and wineries. Built in the 1830s, this impressive stately home is filled with historic paintings, antiques and period furniture, whilst being surrounded by landscaped gardens. The Reg Bond Reserve is virtually next-door and serves as a useful point of reference.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: charge, discounts available for children

Fremantle Town Hall

Address: Kings Square, Adelaide Street, Fremantle, Western Australia (WA), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 9431 7878
Built in the 1880s and situated roughly 30 minutes to the south-west of central Perth, Fremantle Town Hall is to be found just down the road from the John Curtin College of the Arts. Featuring a striking clock tower, other highlights include classical architecture and an elaborate interior, which regularly plays host to local community events. Of interest, the hall's appearance remains virtually unchanged from its initial inauguration at the time of Queen Victoria's Jubilee celebrations.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Old Mill

Address: Mill Point Road, Perth, Western Australia (WA), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 9367 5788
One of the oldest buildings in both Perth and Western Australia, the Old Mill stands on the south-western side of the city centre, next to the Convention and Exhibition Centre. Dating back to the 1830s, when it first opened as a commercial mill, the Old Mill is now a popular tourist attraction in its own right, with a gallery area, displays and a fascinating history.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors

Old Perth Boys School

Address: 139 St. George's Terrace, Perth, Western Australia (WA), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 9322 5288
The Old Perth Boys School dates back to the mid-19th century and resides within the very heart of the city, close to Central Park and the Commonwealth Bank. Built with classical Victorian architecture, the school is now owned and managed by the Australia National Trust. Many shops and restaurants are close by, along with His Majesty's Theatre and the Rydges Hotel.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 07:00 to 16:30
Admission: charge, discounts available for children, members of the National Trust are free

Tranby House

Address: Johnson Road, Perth, Western Australia (WA), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 9272 2630
Incorporating a popular museum with historic local artefacts, Tranby House is located next to the Swan River, being roughly 15 minutes to the east of central Perth. Dating back to 1840, this grand building comes with regular guided tours and impressive surrounding gardens. Neighbouring attractions include the Bath Street Reserve, Lake Brearley and Lake Bungana.
Open hours: Wednesday to Saturday - 14:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors

Woodbridge House

Address: Ford Street, Perth, Western Australia (WA), Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 9274 2432
A National Trust property based alongside the Swan River and within the north-easterly suburb of Swan Valley, Woodbridge House was built in the mid-1880s, when it became one of the most important landmarks in the city. Attractions at this grand mansion include period architecture, historic interior features, antique furniture, old paintings, various collections and a café area. Further interest is provided by the Woodbridge Riverside Park, the Ray Marshall Park and the Blackadder Creek.
Open hours: August to June, Monday to Saturday - 13:00 to 16:00, Sunday - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors