It’s no wonder Perth is known as the city of lights – Lightscape has returned to Kings Park and Botanic Garden this winter! This year, the vibrant trail has a new theme “polinators” and is packed with brand new light installations. The immersive experience of light and sound is a wonderful experience for both young and old – and a great idea for entertaining the grandkids in the upcoming July school holidays.
The popular event sold out in 2024, so it’s a good idea to book in advance and keep an eye on the weather forecast, particularly if you’d like to visit on a dry winter’s night. Though, I have heard that the rain makes the lights look quite magical too! Lightscape still goes ahead in the event of rain, so be sure to dress appropriately. We visited on a cold winter’s evening – my thick jacket and beanie did the trick to keep me nice and toasty – plus a hot chocolate.
They say it’s best to allow 90 minutes to enjoy the full experience. How long the trail takes, depends on your pace, and how often you might like to stop to admire the lights. The trail is fully paved and mobility devices are allowed, though you may want to keep in mind there are a few steep hills to go up and down.
The entry is staggered in 15 minute slots, the earliest being 5.30pm and the latest 8pm. We arrived a little earlier and found that the food trucks at the entry opened about 5pm. I found parking in the main carpark fine, arriving early, on a weeknight. There are free shuttle busses available from the Elizabeth Quay bus port too, which might be advisable if you don’t want to park far away. I hear that parking is at a premium in peak weekend times.
The entry near to the corner of Forrest and Lovkin Drives. We had a bite to eat of pizza and arancini before the walk. There are also Greek, waffle and other trucks there, plus a bar serving mulled wine and more.
We entered in the timeslot of 6.15pm, so the sun has set by then. The one way trail is easy to navigate. Most people can manage it, though there are a few up and downhills. There are several toilet stops along the trail, and there are a couple of refreshment stalls along the way.
The 2km pathway winds through the botanic gardens, showing them in a wonderful glow. Wander amongst rainbow trees, local children’s art and spy the city skyline.
There’s a tunnel of dangling lights and lots more – I don’t want to give too much away!
And the spectacular Winter Cathedral with thousands of brilliantly bright lights. Definitely worthy of a selfie!
There is a box office at the gate, though I’d recommend booking online, as some nights sell out in advance. Lightscape is on Wednesday to Sunday, now until 27 July.
Get ready to see our iconic Kings Park in a whole new light!
