PERTH ART CITY WALKING TRAIL

Discover a City of Art

The vibrant city of Perth is rapidly earning a reputation for boasting some of the most outstanding public and street art installations in Australia.

Immerse yourself in the unique identity and history of this fascinating city, as Perth reveals its true colours through an intriguing collection of over 200 statues, sculptures, contemporary street artworks and mesmerising murals.

Perth’s public art is created to enrich visitor’s understanding of the region – to stimulate our thinking, give deeper insight into the region’s past and present, and instil a deeper sense of place. It can change the way we interact with our surroundings, allowing us freedom to interpret with our senses and experience the city in new and enlightened ways.

In this audio guide, we’ll be exploring a selection of some of the city’s finest public artworks on a self-guided walk extending 3.2 kilometres from Elizabeth Quay to Perth Concert Hall, via Northbridge. We’ll place particular emphasis on sculptural pieces, which are of interest to everyone, but may prove more accessible to visitors who are blind or have low vision.

Allow approximately two hours to complete the walk, or additional time for further exploration enroute. There’s plenty to discover along the way, including iconic points of interest, and a host of dining and retail options.

Lace up your walking shoes and prepare to be delighted by Perth’s thriving arts scene!

Part 1 – First Contact, Wolf Lane and Koorden

Welcome to the Art City Walking Trail. Prepare to discover Perth’s past and present shared through the creative interpretation of talented local and international artists.

Your journey begins at Williams Landing, at the new waterfront precinct of Elizabeth Quay, on the banks of the Swan River. Here you’ll discover our first featured artwork, entitled ‘First Contact’, by renowned Nyoongar artist, Laurel Nannup. This impressive, 5-metre tall, cast aluminium sculpture was created to represent the arrival of European settler ships to Perth. From a distance, the approaching sailing ships appeared as floating birds on the ocean, and the local Nyoongar people believed them to be ancestors returning from the sea. The sculpture is shaped like a giant bird, standing tall with outstretched wings and turned head, representing the horizontal spar, mast and sails of the incoming ships. The metallic silver surfaces shimmer with sunlight during the day, and are internally lit at night, creating an illuminated work of art on the waterfront.

The next key sculptural highlight is in the thriving retail and dining hub of Kings Square. Enroute, perhaps take a slight detour to visit the 16 murals of the Wolf Lane Arts Precinct. Created by local and international artists, these vibrant public artworks have brought life and colour to this previously hidden and underutilised laneway.

Once at Kings Square, head to Wellington Gardens at 12 Telethon Avenue. Here you’ll find a series of sculptures entitled ‘Koorden’. This dramatic installation depicts six 2.2 metre tall, powerful skeletal human figures, cast in bronze, striding to the east across the grass of the gardens. They symbolise the leaders of Aboriginal cultural groups in the Perth area, with bands representing ceremonial body paintings as seen in historic photographs. This artwork was created by indigenous artist Rod Garlett, in close collaboration with other members of the local Nyoongar community.

Part 2 – Connectus, William Art Precinct and Forrest Place

As you walk back towards Telethon Avenue, turn left and up ahead of you is a brightly coloured, suspended light sculpture entitled ‘Connectus’. According to artist Warren Langley, the piece ‘metaphorically speaks of the connectivity between the inner city precincts, encircling the CBD in the manner of jewels upon a necklace.’ The artwork is reminiscent of a twirling ribbon, coloured by glowing lights which subtly shift from hues of bright yellow, to ochre and rusty red, dependant on the ambient light – reflecting the varied palette of the Western Australian landscape.

At 140 William Street (near the corner of Wellington Street) the laneway connecting the pedestrian mall of Murray Street to the cultural hub of Northbridge serves as a public outdoor urban art gallery. Vibrantly coloured mega murals bring vibrancy to the area, in a fusion of modern street art and heritage buildings.

A little further east along Wellington Street you’ll discover Forrest Place, a pedestrian square that’s home to two more intriguing art installations. The first, ‘Grow Your Own’ (colloquially known as Perth Cactus) is one of the region’s most iconic artworks. According to artist James Angus, the contemporary installation references the emergence of the organic farming movement and coinciding rise of modernist sculpture in the early 20th century, and promotes the growth of ideas and art in the community. It comprises a collection of bright green plant-like structures, contrasting vividly with the surrounding heritage buildings.

In the centre of Forrest Place you’ll find an interactive water sculpture, offering an opportunity to truly immerse yourself in the city’s thriving art scene. Titled ‘Appearing Rooms’, the installation features jets of water which shoot into the air, creating nine ‘rooms’ and offering a welcome reprieve from the heat in warm weather, before disappearing as quickly as they formed. This is one of the city’s most popular public artworks.

Part 3 – Delight and Hurt Not, Ascalon and ‘The Mob’

As you head further on towards Cathedral Square, pop into Level 1 of the City of Perth Library (at 573 Hay Street) to stand beneath the Shakespearian-inspired ceiling mural ‘Delight and Hurt Not’ by Australian artist Andrew Nicholls. The predominantly black and white artwork depicts Western Australia’s collection of threatened native species, including 65 plants and 12 animals.

Head on to Cathedral Square at the corner of St George’s Terrace and Barrack Street. Set in a commanding position in the forecourt of the architecturally magnificent St George Cathedral, stands the majestic white sculpture entitled ‘Ascalon’. The striking abstract artwork depicts the triumph of good over evil. An angled pole is encircled by what appears to be billowing white garments, set atop a black base. They are said to represent the cloak and lance of St George, as he stands triumphantly over the defeated body of the slain dragon.

Just a short hop across St George’s Terrace you’ll encounter ‘The Mob’ – Kangaroos on the Terrace. This collection of bronze sculptures pays tribute to Australia’s most iconic animal. The first statues depict kangaroos at rest, but their poses change dramatically throughout the installation, as they appear to be startled by the noise of civilisation, and bound off in full flight. Like shadows from the past, these realistically posed statues provide a poignant visual and tactile reminder that these magnificent creatures roamed these (now highly urbanised) spaces well before human occupation.

The Art Trail concludes at the Perth Concert Hall, where a striking mural of ceramic tiles inspired by playful symbolism creates a vibrant feature wall.

Accessibility

The Art City Walking Trail is conducted over paved surfaces and pathways, making it accessible for wheelchair users and user-friendly for families with prams.

Public toilets are widely available along the trail, including accessible facilities at various locations including Elizabeth Quay, City of Perth Library and Terrace Road carpark (near the Perth Concert Hall). A variety of restaurants, cafes and eateries also line the trail, so there’s no fear of going hungry!

Transperth operates regular train and bus services to and from Elizabeth Quay Station and Busport, which is conveniently located across the road from Elizabeth Quay. For further details and accessibility information on specific routes, please visit transperth.wa.gov.au. Once you have concluded the walking trail, it’s a further one kilometre walk back to your starting point at Elizabeth Quay. Alternatively the nearest bus stops are located on Wellington Street near Barrack Street. A range of Perth’s other premier CBD attractions are also within easy walking distance. Taxi and ride-share services are also widely available in the city centre.

The Perth City Visitor Kiosk (also known as iCity Kiosk) is a great free source of information and advice for visitors to the area. It’s located in the heart of the Murray Street Mall shopping precinct, near the Forrest Chase intersection. They also offer free 90-minute guided art city walking tours conducted by qualified volunteer guides each Friday at 10:15am, subject to availability. For further information, directions, or to check availability of a range of guided tours, please pop in and see the friendly staff at the kiosk.