The Bell Tower Tour and Bell Ringing Experience in Perth

The best part of The Bell Tower visit is getting to pull a bell rope yourself. In a short guided session, you learn how the bells work, try their distinctive chimes, and see the 6,500 kg ANZAC Bell up close. It is a hands-on stop in central Perth, not just a tower to admire from the riverbank.

I like two things in particular: the chance to ring the bells makes the mechanics memorable, and the observation deck adds a fine view over the Swan River and city. The displays of historic bells and artifacts fill in the story without asking you to set aside half a day.

One thing to plan around is the limited schedule. The tower is open Thursday to Sunday, and professional ringing takes place only on Thursday and Sunday around noon. Your booked session time matters, so check it before you set off.

• Pull the ropes yourself: A guide leads a 30-minute interactive bell-chiming session.
• See the 6,500 kg ANZAC Bell: On Thursday and Sunday, its noon ring lasts one minute.
• Take in the city from above: The observation deck looks over the Swan River and Perth.
• Explore historic displays: Gallery-wall exhibits include rare bells and artifacts.
• Leave with a keepsake: The experience includes a bell-chiming certificate.
• Keep the visit compact: Allow for the guided session and time to explore the tower at your own pace.

A hands-on stop at Barrack Square

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The Bell Tower sits at Barrack Square on Riverside Drive, close to the Swan River and central Perth. Its shape and riverside setting make it easy to spot, but the worthwhile part is inside: you can learn how bell ringing works, then take your turn at the ropes.

The central activity lasts about 30 minutes and is led by an English-speaking guide. You hear about the bells and their history, then take part in a guided, interactive chiming session. It is a small but memorable shift from looking at an object to understanding how it makes its sound.

This is a concise attraction, not a full-day outing. If you have a spare hour in Perth, it can fit neatly between other city plans. Give yourself extra time if you want to browse the displays and head to the observation deck rather than arriving just for the session and leaving straight after.

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How the bell-chiming session works

The ropes are the heart of the experience. Rather than simply pressing a button or hearing a recording, you pull a rope to set a bell moving and help produce its sound. The guide explains the process and gives participants a chance to try.

The effort is part of the point. A bell does not ring because a rope is pulled lightly for show: moving the bell takes some work, and participants take turns. If you have never thought about what it takes to ring a church bell, this makes the mechanism clear in a way a display label alone cannot.

The session is designed for first-timers. You do not need to arrive knowing bell terminology or technique. Listen to the guide, follow the instructions, and take your turn when invited. The group format means each person’s opportunity is brief, so this is an introduction rather than extended bell-ringing practice.

The guide’s explanations are one of the experience’s strongest features. The session links the practical mechanics to the history of the bells, so you leave with more than a souvenir certificate. The certificate is a fun memento, though the real payoff is understanding what your hands and the rope have just done.

The ANZAC Bell and when to hear it

The ANZAC Bell weighs 6,500 kg, an impressive figure even before you hear it ring. It sounds for one minute at noon on Thursday and Sunday. If hearing this particular bell is important to you, plan your visit around that time rather than assuming every session includes the noon ringing.

Professional bell ringing is also scheduled on Thursday and Sunday between 12:00 and 13:00. Thursday is the recommended day if you want the best chance to see the professionals ring and hear the ANZAC Bell at noon. The guided session itself has listed start times of 10:30, 11:00, and 13:30, so check how your chosen time fits with the noon event.

This is a useful detail when booking. A 10:30 or 11:00 session may let you combine your own bell-chiming experience with the midday ring, depending on the day’s timing and arrangements. A 13:30 session comes after the noon program. Confirm the schedule for your selected date, and arrive with enough time to be in place.

The tower is open Thursday to Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00, with last admission at 15:45. That last entry time is not a good target if you want to enjoy the exhibits and observation deck at a relaxed pace. Earlier arrival gives you more breathing room.

Historic bells, artifacts, and the tower’s story

The gallery-wall displays give the visit a second layer. You can look at historic bells and related artifacts while learning why this collection is unusual. The bells include a set described as royal bells, and they are said to be the only known set to have left England. That detail gives the collection a wider story than Perth alone.

The exhibits work well before or after the guided session. Seeing the objects first can give you context for the ropes and ringing; browsing afterward lets you connect the guide’s explanation with the bells on display. There is no need to rush through every item to get value from the visit, but the displays reward a few unhurried minutes.

This is not a sprawling museum, and that is an advantage if your schedule is tight. The tower combines a compact historical display with a live, physical activity. If you have a strong interest in bells, you may wish the visit lasted longer; if you are simply curious, the short format keeps the subject approachable.

Swan River views from the observation deck

The observation deck gives you a different reason to go up. From above, you can look out across the Swan River and Perth city. It is a welcome change of pace after the guided activity and a chance to orient yourself around the riverside setting.

The view is part of the admission, so it adds value beyond the bell session. Still, it should be treated as a pleasant extra rather than the sole reason to book. The main draw is the combination of hands-on ringing and the story of the bells; the deck rounds out the visit.

If you are deciding how much time to allow, consider the tower as a short attraction with several parts rather than a 30-minute appointment only. You will want time for the guide, the displays, and the view. The exact pace depends on how long you like to linger, but do not book a session that leaves you racing to the last admission.

Is the $16.95 starting price good value?

At a starting price of $16.95, this is a reasonably priced activity if you want more than a quick look at a landmark. Admission includes access to The Bell Tower, an English-speaking guide, the 30-minute guided chiming experience, and a certificate. You also get the displays and the observation deck as part of the visit.

The hands-on element is what makes the price easier to justify. A tower visit with only a view could feel brief; here, you take part in an activity that helps explain what you are seeing. The certificate is a small extra, not the main value.

The experience is less compelling if you are short on time and only want a city panorama, or if you are not interested in the bells’ history and mechanics. It is also worth checking the price for your date, since $16.95 is the stated starting price, not a promise that every session costs the same.

Getting there and planning your visit

The address is Barrack Square, Riverside Drive, Perth WA 6000. Elizabeth Quay train station is about a seven-minute walk away, making public transport a practical option for a central Perth visit. Paid parking bays are available on Riverside Drive and in Barrack Square if you are driving.

Arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled activity. The entry instructions say to use your voucher at the venue, but late arrivals and no-shows cannot be refunded. Since the guided session has set start times, give yourself time to reach the tower and find the entrance rather than cutting it close.

The attraction is stroller- and wheelchair-accessible. Children aged 0 to 4 can enter free, while children aged 15 and older pay the adult rate. The supplied details do not specify the rate for every other child age, so check the booking terms for your party before purchase.

You can book for the same day, with instant confirmation. The voucher is valid only for the date selected, and for the selected time where one applies. Free cancellation is available with at least 24 hours’ notice; if extreme weather or an unforeseen event leads the operator to cancel, you can reschedule or request a full refund.

Who will enjoy the bell tower most?

This is a good fit if you like attractions that let you do something, not just look. Curious adults, families with older children, and visitors interested in local history should find the guided session accessible and engaging. The physical act of pulling the rope gives the visit a clear point of difference from a standard tower or museum stop.

It also suits a short Perth itinerary. The visit is compact, centrally located, and easy to pair with time around Elizabeth Quay and the riverside. If your day is full, choose a session time that leaves room for the deck and displays instead of treating the attraction as a quick photo stop.

You may want to skip it if you dislike scheduled activities, have no interest in how bells work, or cannot visit between Thursday and Sunday. And if the noon ANZAC Bell is your priority, Thursday or Sunday is essential. The tower is not open every day, and the professional ringing is not an all-week event.

Should you book The Bell Tower Experience?

Book it if you want a short, participatory Perth attraction with a real local story behind it. The guide-led bell session is the main reason to go, while the historic displays, certificate, and Swan River views make the visit feel complete. For the best timing, choose Thursday if possible and plan around the noon ANZAC Bell ring.

If you only want a panoramic view, this may not be the strongest use of your time. But if you are curious about the bells and willing to pull a rope yourself, the price and compact format make this a practical addition to a Perth day.

FAQ

How long is the guided bell-chiming experience?

The guided, interactive bell-chiming experience lasts 30 minutes.

What is included in the ticket?

Admission to The Bell Tower, an English-speaking guide, the 30-minute guided bell-chiming experience, and a bell-chiming certificate are included.

When does the ANZAC Bell ring?

The 6,500 kg ANZAC Bell rings at noon on Thursday and Sunday for one minute.

When can I see professional bell ringing?

Professional bell ringing is scheduled on Thursday and Sunday between 12:00 and 13:00.

What are The Bell Tower’s opening hours?

The tower is open Thursday to Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00. Last admission is at 15:45.

How do I get to The Bell Tower?

The address is Barrack Square, Riverside Drive, Perth WA 6000. It is about a seven-minute walk from Elizabeth Quay train station, and paid parking is available on Riverside Drive and in Barrack Square.

Is The Bell Tower accessible by wheelchair or stroller?

Yes. The activity is listed as stroller- and wheelchair-accessible.

Can I cancel my booking?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, using destination local time. If the operator cancels because of extreme weather or an unforeseen event, you can reschedule or request a full refund.