The ANZAC Bell Experience at the Bell Tower

The unusual part of this Bell Tower visit is getting to try the bell ropes yourself before watching the 6,500 kg ANZAC Bell ring. The guided experience ties that hands-on moment to the story of the ANZACs, so the bell is more than a dramatic sound in a tower.

I like two things in particular: you get to learn by doing during the chiming demonstration, and the medallion comes with the option of free engraving at the Perth Mint. The hour also ends with views across the Swan River and Perth, a fine payoff after the history and bell ropes.

One thing to plan around: the main ANZAC Bell moment is at midday, and the scheduled program is listed for Thursday to Sunday. Arrive on time, and check the date and start time on your voucher, especially around public holidays.

At a glance

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• Try ringing a bell: The guide shows you how to chime a bell, an activity that can be trickier than it looks.
• Hear the ANZAC Bell: The 6,500 kg bell rings at midday during the scheduled Thursday program.
• Learn the story: The guide explains the ANZAC legend and the meaning of the bell.
• Take home a keepsake: Your ticket includes an ANZAC medallion and a certificate. The medallion can be engraved for free at the Perth Mint.
• Finish with a view: The observation deck looks out over Perth and the Swan River.
• Allow about an hour: The listed schedule runs from 11:20 to 12:20, with arrival and registration before the guided session.

👉 See our pick of the 6 Best Historical Tours In Perth

A bell tower visit with a hands-on twist

The Bell Tower stands at Barrack Square on the Perth waterfront. This experience gives you more than a look around the building: it combines a guided introduction to the ANZAC story, a practical bell-chiming demonstration, a chance to hear the great bell ring and time to take in the view.

That mix is what gives the visit its appeal. Bells are impressive from the ground, but trying to chime one helps explain the skill and effort behind the sound. You are not simply watching a demonstration from a distance. The guide invites you to take part, then connects the activity to the tower’s bells and the ANZAC Bell’s meaning.

The experience is short and scheduled, which makes it easier to fit into a day in central Perth than a longer tour. It is also a focused visit. If you want a broad walking tour of the city, this is not that. Think of it as a one-hour stop built around one memorable object, with history and a good viewpoint added in.

Arriving at Barrack Square

The meeting point is The Bell Tower, Barrack Square, Riverside Drive, Perth. From Elizabeth Quay train station, it is about a seven-minute walk. The listed program asks you to arrive at 11:20 to register at the front desk, then meet the guide on Level 1 at 11:30.

Give yourself a little breathing room. The voucher is valid only for the date and time you selected, and late arrivals or no-shows are not refundable. A past visitor found that a public holiday schedule differed from the time shown online, so check your voucher and any updated information before setting off. The operator may also cancel in extreme weather or other unforeseen circumstances, with the option to reschedule or request a full refund.

Once registered, you may have a chance to look around the tower before the tour starts, depending on timing. One group had time to browse the levels and read the displays before meeting the guide. That can be a useful extra, but do not count on it if you arrive close to the start.

Level 1: learning to chime the bells

At 11:30, the guided session begins on Level 1. Your guide introduces the ANZAC legend and explains the meaning behind the bell. The historical context matters here: without it, the midday ring could feel like a spectacle; with it, you have a clearer sense of why this particular bell is central to the visit.

Then comes the interactive part. You get a chance to chime a bell under the guide’s direction. It is a small activity, but it changes the way you listen. Several people who have tried it found the bell heavier and harder to manage than expected. That makes the demonstration more engaging than a simple button press or a quick photo stop.

The guide’s role is important. Guides named Jeff, Tony and Jessica have led sessions at different times, but you should not assume a particular person will be there on your date. The useful thing to expect is a guided explanation, with time to ask questions and try the bell-ringing activity. Visitors have appreciated guides who make the history clear and help participants handle the bells safely.

Level 5: the midday ANZAC Bell

At 11:55, the group assembles on the private viewing platform on Level 5. At noon, the 6,500 kg ANZAC Bell rings for one minute. The scale is part of the experience: this is a huge bell, and hearing it ring from the viewing platform gives the scheduled moment real weight.

Thursday is the best day to plan around if you want to hear the professionals ring the bells between 12:00 and 13:00, as well as the ANZAC Bell at noon. The tour’s listed program runs Thursday to Sunday, but the professional ringing and the 12:00 ANZAC Bell are the special Thursday recommendation. Confirm the current schedule for your chosen date rather than assuming every session includes the same performance.

The viewing platform is private for the group during this part of the experience. That makes it easier to focus on the bell and the guide’s explanation. Still, the ring itself lasts one minute, so set your expectations: this is a brief highlight within a guided hour, not a long concert.

Stories, a carillon song and a keepsake

At about 12:10, the program shifts to stories from First World War soldiers and a marching song played on the 26-bell carillon. It broadens the visit beyond the mechanics of bell ringing and connects the sound to the people and history the ANZAC Bell commemorates.

At 12:15, you receive a certificate and an exclusive ANZAC medallion. They are included in the activity, and the keepsakes give the visit a tangible ending, particularly for children who have taken part in the chiming demonstration. Infants do not receive a certificate or medallion.

The medallion has an extra use beyond being a souvenir. You can take it to the Perth Mint for free engraving. That is a separate stop, not part of the Bell Tower’s one-hour program, so allow additional time if you want to have your name engraved. The mint visit and any other personal expenses are not included in the ticket price.

The observation deck and Perth views

Around 12:20, the tour ends with time to enjoy the observation deck. From here, you can look across the Swan River and Perth city. It is a welcome change of pace after the bell demonstration and historical stories, and a good chance to orient yourself around the waterfront.

The view is an added benefit rather than the whole reason to book. If your priority is a broad city panorama, compare this visit with other viewpoints and activities in Perth. But if you are already curious about the tower or its bells, the deck rounds out the hour nicely.

The tower is stroller- and wheelchair-accessible, according to the activity information. If access needs are important to your visit, confirm any specific requirements with the operator before booking.

Is the $29.95 starting price good value?

At a starting price of $29.95, the value comes from the combination, not just entry to the tower. Your ticket includes the guided experience, the interactive chiming demonstration, the chance to witness the ANZAC Bell ring, an ANZAC medallion and a certificate. You also get the observation deck at the end.

That is a reasonable package if you enjoy a short, structured activity with a clear focus. The bell-chiming opportunity is the part you cannot replicate by simply walking past the tower, and the guide gives the bell’s story context. The medallion and certificate add something to take home, while the free engraving makes the medallion more personal if you are willing to make a separate stop at the Perth Mint.

The price may feel less compelling if you are only after a quick view or a long, detailed history tour. The experience lasts about 60 minutes, and the central bell-ringing moment is brief. Treat it as a compact guided attraction, not a full morning of sightseeing. Prices can vary, so check the amount shown for your date and package.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend this tour if you like interactive attractions, have an interest in Australian history, or want a distinctive activity in central Perth. Families may find the chance to chime a bell more memorable than a standard museum visit, though children aged 13 and over pay the adult rate. Children aged 0 to 4 enter free, but infants do not receive the medallion or certificate.

It also suits visitors who want a manageable one-hour plan near the waterfront. The meeting point is easy to reach on foot from Elizabeth Quay station, and the tour’s fixed schedule leaves the rest of the day open for other plans.

You may want to skip it if you cannot make the scheduled time, prefer to explore at your own pace, or are not interested in the ANZAC story and bell mechanics. The guided format is the point, and arriving late means you may miss the group and lose the booking.

Should you book the ANZAC Bell Experience?

Book it if the idea of ringing a bell appeals to you, or if you want a concise way to connect Perth’s Bell Tower with the ANZAC story. Aim for Thursday if you want the professional bell ringing as well as the noon ANZAC Bell, and verify the session time on your voucher. The strongest reasons to go are the hands-on demonstration, the guide-led history and the chance to hear a very large bell ring. The views and engraved medallion are welcome extras.

FAQ

How long does the ANZAC Bell Experience last?

The scheduled experience lasts about 60 minutes, from the 11:20 arrival and registration to the end around 12:20.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at The Bell Tower, Barrack Square, Riverside Drive, Perth WA 6000.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at 11:20 for registration, which is 10 minutes before the 11:30 guide meeting time.

Which days is the listed experience scheduled?

The listed schedule runs Thursday to Sunday. Check the date and time on your voucher, since schedules may vary.

What happens on Thursdays?

Thursday is recommended for the professional bell ringing between 12:00 and 13:00 and the ANZAC Bell ringing at noon for one minute.

Can I try ringing a bell?

Yes. The guided experience includes an interactive bell-chiming demonstration, where you have the opportunity to chime a bell.

What is included with the ticket?

The ticket includes Bell Tower admission, an English-speaking guide, the chiming demonstration, the chance to witness the 6,500 kg ANZAC Bell ring, an ANZAC medallion and a certificate.

Can I get the medallion engraved?

Yes. You can take the medallion to the Perth Mint for free engraving. The Mint visit is separate from the Bell Tower tour.

Do children need a ticket?

Children aged 0 to 4 enter free. Children aged 13 and over are charged the adult rate. Infants do not receive a certificate or medallion.

Is the activity wheelchair-accessible?

Yes. The activity information states that it is wheelchair-accessible and stroller-accessible.