Perth Bell Tower Chiming Experience

Hear Perth’s bells from inside the tower. The Bell Tower offers more than a quick photo stop: you learn how bell ringing works, try it yourself, and look across the Swan River from an open-air viewing deck. I especially like the hands-on chiming lesson and the chance to see the 6,500-kilogram ANZAC Bell ring at midday. The main drawback is length. At about 45 minutes, some visitors may find the guided portion brief for the price.

The tower sits in Barrack Square, close to the river and Elizabeth Quay, so it fits neatly into a day in central Perth. I also like the clear, family-friendly format, with a certificate at the end and a free video postcard option. Just check the ringing schedule before you go, since public opening days and demonstration times can change.

Key things to know before you go

• You ring the historic bells yourself: Each person receives instruction and gets a turn with a bell.
• The 6,500-kilogram ANZAC Bell rings at noon: Plan your visit around 12pm if you want to see and hear this major feature.
• The views improve as you climb: Level 6 looks toward the Swan River, Perth, and the Darling Range.
• The bells have a London connection: The tower houses twelve bells made in the 14th century for St Martin-in-the-Fields in London.
• The visit includes all five public areas: Displays, bell-ringing spaces, the viewing levels, and the carillon are part of the entry.
• Timing needs a little care: The tower is currently open Thursday through Sunday from 10am, while chiming demonstrations are listed Monday through Saturday from 10:30am to 2:30pm.

What makes Perth Bell Tower worth your time

Perth has plenty of big views, but the Bell Tower gives you something you cannot get from a lookout alone. You are not simply looking at bells behind glass. You hear how they work, watch them being rung, and put your own hands to the task.

That last part is the real hook. Bell ringing looks simple until you try it. The bells require strength and control, and the short lesson gives you a better sense of the work involved. Guides such as Howard, Angela, Jeff, and Liliana have been praised for making the instructions lively and easy to follow. Howard is known for adding humor, while Angela has been singled out as a warm and effective teacher.

The setting helps, too. The Bell Tower rises from Barrack Square beside the Swan River, with Elizabeth Quay and central Perth nearby. You can combine the visit with a walk along the river rather than treating it as a separate trip across town.

For me, the attraction works best as a compact Perth activity with three parts: a story about bells from London, a short practical lesson, and a view from above. None of these parts takes a very long time, but together they make the visit more memorable than a standard observation deck.

Entering the Bell Tower at Barrack Square

You make your own way to the tower. Transportation and hotel pickup are not included, but the location is near public transportation and easy to pair with other central Perth sights.

Entry provides access to all five public areas. That matters because the ticket is not only for the top deck. You move through displays and ringing areas before reaching the upper viewing levels, with the tower itself providing the structure for the visit.

The building links the city to the river in a very literal way. Its glass construction gives the attraction a modern look, while the bells inside connect it to much older traditions. That contrast is part of the appeal. You get a contemporary Perth landmark built around instruments with a long London story.

The displays explain how the bells came from St Martin-in-the-Fields church in London to Australia. You will also learn about the art of bell ringing, rather than simply being told dates and names. This is useful context because the bells are not just decorative objects. Their sound depends on weight, timing, movement, and a practiced ringer.

The amount of commentary can vary with the guide and the group. Some people find the talk clear and entertaining, while others feel the spoken portion does not last long enough to justify the full price. If you prefer a long museum-style visit, the tower may feel quick.

Learning the story of the London bells

The central historical feature is a group of twelve bells connected with St Martin-in-the-Fields in London’s Trafalgar Square. The bells were made in the 14th century, and the visit explains how these church bells eventually came to Australia.

That journey gives the tower a strong sense of place. You are in Perth, looking at the Swan River, while listening to bells tied to London’s religious and civic life. The attraction does not require you to be a bell enthusiast to follow the story. The displays and guide help explain why bells mattered and how they were used.

The historical material is most effective when it leads into the practical lesson. Once you understand that these are working instruments, not just old objects, the ringing demonstration has more impact.

I would not expect a full account of every bell or a long museum lecture. The visit is designed as a short introduction. If you want detailed church history, architecture, or a specialist account of bell manufacture, you may want to keep your expectations modest.

Still, the subject is unusual. Perth has many standard city sights, but few give you a direct connection to centuries-old bells and let you take part in the tradition.

The bell-chiming lesson and your turn at the ropes

The guided chiming demonstration is the most hands-on section. You learn how the bells are chimed and then get an opportunity to ring one yourself. Each person in the group can take a turn with a different-sounding bell.

That arrangement makes the activity work for families and mixed-age groups. You do not need prior experience, and the instructions are designed for beginners. Children must be accompanied by an adult, but most people can participate.

The physical side is easy to underestimate. A bell may look manageable from the outside, yet the strength and control needed to ring it can surprise you. The lesson gives you a brief taste of the effort required from professional bell ringers.

Do not expect a long practice session. Several people would have liked more time with the bells, and that is a fair criticism. The goal is to give everyone a turn, not to train you as a ringer. If your main reason for booking is to spend extended time practicing, the session may feel short.

The guides make a noticeable difference here. Howard has been praised for his humor and clear explanations. Angela and Liliana have also been noted for making the lesson friendly and engaging. A good guide turns a simple turn at a bell into a lesson about timing, strength, and tradition.

At the end, you receive a bell-chiming certificate. It is a small souvenir, but it adds a satisfying finish, especially for children. You can also record a free video postcard to send to family and friends, which gives the visit a personal touch without adding another charge.

Seeing the ANZAC Bell ring at 12pm

The 6,500-kilogram ANZAC Bell is one of the most important sights inside the tower. It can be seen from the level 5 viewing platform and rings at 12pm.

If you can arrange your visit around noon, do it. The sound and movement of the large bell give the tower a stronger sense of purpose than a quiet look at the mechanism. The midday timing also helps you plan the rest of your day in Barrack Square.

The ANZAC Bell carries a different character from the London bells. It connects the tower to Australian remembrance, while the older bells link Perth to London. Seeing the large bell ring helps you understand the scale involved. This is not a small decorative instrument hidden in a corner.

The schedule is important. The listed chiming demonstrations run Monday through Saturday every half hour from 10:30am to 2:30pm, but the tower is currently listed as open Thursday through Sunday from 10am. On Mondays and Thursdays from 12pm to 1pm, bell ringers hold a concert, so no regular chiming demonstration takes place during that hour.

Because days and times can change without notice, contact the attraction before visiting if hearing the bells or practicing chiming is essential to your plans. A little checking can prevent a disappointing mismatch between your arrival time and the program.

Level 6 views over Perth and the Swan River

The open-air Observation Deck on level 6 is a major part of the ticket. From here, you look across the Swan River, Perth, Elizabeth Quay, and toward the Darling Range.

The view is broad rather than complicated. You get a useful sense of how the city meets the river, and the height gives you strong photo opportunities. Several people consider the upper level one of the best parts of the visit.

The tower also has a 26-bell carillon on the Observation Deck. You can play melodies from a selection, producing a softer and more musical sound than the hands-on ringing lesson below. This is a nice change of pace after the heavier bells.

The views are especially useful early in a Perth visit. They help you get your bearings quickly, showing the riverfront and central city from above. If you are already familiar with Perth, the deck still gives you a different angle on a well-known part of town.

Keep in mind that the Observation Deck is open-air. The supplied information does not promise protection from weather, so conditions may affect how long you want to stay outside. The deck is a viewing area, not a long stop with extensive indoor interpretation.

How much value do you get for $15.78?

At $15.78 per person, the Bell Tower is priced as a modest city attraction rather than a full-day tour. I think the price is fair if you value the bell-ringing activity, the guide, and the views.

The value is strongest when you use several parts of the ticket: learn the history, join the chiming lesson, see the ANZAC Bell, try the carillon, and visit the Observation Deck. If you only walk through the displays and take a few photos, the visit may feel expensive for its short duration.

The 45-minute length is both a strength and a weakness. It is easy to fit between other plans, and families may appreciate an activity that does not demand half a day. On the other hand, a short guided talk and a brief turn at the bells may leave you wanting more.

The certificate and video postcard are small extras, not reasons by themselves to book. Their value is greatest for families or anyone who enjoys a physical souvenir from a city visit.

There is also a possible saving if you combine the Bell Tower with the Perth Mint, as a combined discount has been noted. Check the current terms before relying on that option.

Who will enjoy this Perth activity most?

I would recommend the Bell Tower to several types of visitors:

• Families: The hands-on bell ringing, short duration, certificate, and viewing deck give children several things to do.
• First-time visitors to Perth: The upper deck gives you a helpful view of the city and river.
• People who enjoy unusual attractions: Bell ringing is different from the usual museum, market, or lookout.
• History fans: The London connection and church-bell story add substance to the visit.
• Photographers: The tower and upper levels provide good views across Perth and the Swan River.
• Visitors with limited time: You can fit the attraction into a morning or afternoon near Elizabeth Quay.

It may be less suitable if you want a long, detailed guided tour or an extended bell-ringing class. The activity gives you an introduction and a personal turn, not advanced instruction.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. Children need an accompanying adult. The mobile ticket makes entry simple, but you still need to arrange your own way to Barrack Square.

How to plan your visit around the schedule

Choose an entry time that allows room for the bell demonstration and the noon ANZAC Bell. If the large bell is your priority, aim to be at the tower before 12pm rather than arriving at the exact moment.

The chiming demonstrations are listed every half hour from 10:30am to 2:30pm, Monday through Saturday. However, the current public opening information lists Thursday through Sunday from 10am, so confirm the schedule before setting out.

Avoid the Monday and Thursday 12pm to 1pm period if you specifically want the regular chiming demonstration. During that time, the bell ringers are in concert instead.

Allow extra time after the 45-minute visit for photos on the upper levels and a look through the souvenir shop. The shop has been praised for a useful range and reasonable prices, though the attraction itself remains the main reason to visit.

The cancellation terms are practical: you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Perth Bell Tower?

Book it if you want a short, hands-on Perth attraction with history, city views, and a clear local connection. The best parts are the chance to ring the bells yourself, the guide-led explanation, and the view from level 6.

I would especially recommend it at noon, when you can see the ANZAC Bell ring. Guides such as Howard, Angela, Jeff, and Liliana have helped make the lesson a highlight, but timing remains important because demonstrations can change.

Skip it if you want a long museum visit or expect a detailed bell-ringing course. For most people, though, $15.78 is reasonable for a compact activity that gives you something to hear, something to do, and a view you cannot get from street level.

FAQ

How long does the Perth Bell Tower Chiming Experience last?

The experience lasts approximately 45 minutes.

How much does entry to the Bell Tower cost?

The listed price is $15.78 per person.

Can I ring the bells myself?

Yes. You receive instruction in bell chiming and have the opportunity to ring a historic bell yourself.

When do the chiming demonstrations take place?

Chiming demonstrations are listed Monday through Saturday every half hour from 10:30am to 2:30pm. Times and days can change, so reconfirm before visiting.

Can I see the ANZAC Bell ring?

Yes. The 6,500-kilogram ANZAC Bell can be seen from level 5 and rings at 12pm.

What views can I see from the Bell Tower?

The level 6 Observation Deck looks across the Swan River, Perth, Elizabeth Quay, and the Darling Range.

Is the Bell Tower suitable for children?

Yes. It is described as family-friendly, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.