Kings Park Trails
Kings Park is a walker’s paradise, comprising 400 hectares of grassed parkland, botanical gardens and natural and native bushland. There’s much to explore, with more than 3,000 species of flora unique to Western Australia and stunning Swan River skyline views.
The park has no shortage of walking trails to explore, with something to suit everyone’s wants and needs.
Kokoda Track Memorial Walk
The Kokoda Track Memorial Walk pays tribute to the bravery of Australian troops who fought in the Papua New Guinea campaign of July 1942 to January 1943.
The walk is a snappy 153 metres long and begins at Kennedy Fountain on Mounts Bay Road with a climb of 150 steep steps (a vertical rise of 62 metres). You can follow the plaques along the steps to the State War Memorial where the track ends, just north of the cenotaph. Note: there is no wheelchair or pram access.
Boodja Gnarning Walk
The Boodja Gnarning Walk takes you on a cultural journey through Kings Park. The trail explores the connection the native Aboriginal people of the southwest, the Nyoongar people, have with the land.
The walk features interpretive signage panels with information and artwork from the Noongar people. Visitors can follow these while experiencing other Kings Park attractions, including the Gija Jumulu (giant boab tree), the Beedawong Meeting place and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander War Memorial.
The initial one-kilometre walk breaks into two paths known as the Maarm (male) Track and the Yorga (female) Track, although both are open to all genders.
The Maarm Track is 2.4 kilometres long and showcases the land and trees the Noongar people used for tools, shelter, hunting and spiritual purposes. The 90-minute walk features a medium incline and some soft ground.
The Yorga Track is 1.8 kilometres and highlights the traditional roles and responsibilities of Noongar women, such as the gathering of food and medicines. The low incline and hard pavement of the track is suitable for prams and wheelchairs.
Be sure to collect the Boodja Gnarning Walk brochure from the Visitor Information Centre on Fraser Avenue for the detailed map, snippets of Noongar language and additional information.
Drive time from CBD: 5 minutes
Length: 2.8-3.4km
Duration (return): 50-90 minutes
Trail Type: Paved path
Level of difficulty: Easy-Moderate