Walk among the treetops and enjoy spectacular views of the city skyline on the Lotterywest Federation Walkway. The journey extends 620 metres through the Western Australian Botanic Garden over an arched bridge suspended among a canopy of tall eucalypts.
The journey
Since opening in 2003, it has become one of Kings Park and Botanic Garden's most popular tourist attractions. The 40 minute return journey begins east of the Forrest Roundabout. It travels through the Western Australian Botanic Garden and over the spectacular elevated 52 metre glass and steel arched bridge to the Beedawong amphitheatre. Along the way, visitors can enjoy views of the Swan and Canning Rivers, the diverse Western Australian flora, Aboriginal art, the Water Garden and Marri woodland forest.
Interpretive signage details Kings Park and Botanic Garden's connection to Federation and the importance of Sir John Forrest's involvement in the Park's history.
Design and support
The elevated section and glass bridge of the Lotterywest Federation Walkway was designed by Architects Donaldson + Warn in collaboration with engineers Capital House and artists David Jones, Kevin Draper and Richard Walley and constructed by John Holland Constructions. Landscaping was by Plan E and Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority staff. The rusted steel structure finish was designed to blend in with the trees in the gardens. It provides a potent reminder of the rusted steel of camps, farms and mines in the Western Australian bush at the time of Federation.
Lotterywest generously sponsored the artwork on the walkway, which includes Nyoongar Aboriginal art, inspiring metal drawings on the steel bridge pylons by artist Kevin Draper and informative interpretive signage. The tiered performance area at the end of the walkway, Beedawong was designed by Nyoongar artist Richard Walley and landscape architect David Smith from Plan E.
Opening hours and conditions
The elevated section of the walkway is open between 9.00 am to 5.00 pm daily. Entry is free, with donations welcome to the Friends of Kings Park at the walkway entrance. It is wheelchair accessible, although some may require assistance on the arched section of the elevated walkway.
Visitors are advised that jogging or running, bikes, scooters, skateboards or rollerblades, smoking, dogs and bridal photography are not permitted on the walkway. Please do not throw anything over the edge. Children are to be supervised at all times.
The Lotterywest Federation Walkway brochure is available on the brochures section of this website.