Perth Bell Tower Entry Ticket and Bell Chiming Experience

The most unusual part of Perth Bell Tower is wonderfully hands-on: you do not simply look at old bells, you learn how to pull the ropes and make them ring. I like the 30-minute guided session, which gives you a clear introduction without taking half a day, and I like the Level 6 observation deck, with wide views over the Swan River, Elizabeth Quay, and Perth.

The main thing to consider is the building itself. The tour uses a glass lift and open staircases, so anyone uneasy with heights or glass structures may find parts of the visit uncomfortable. The bell-chiming sessions also run at set times and are limited to 25 people.

Key points

• Ring the bells yourself: The guided session gives you a real chance to pull the ropes and take part, not just watch.
• See bells from seven centuries: The collection includes 14th-century royal bells and 12 bells gifted from St. Martin-in-the-Fields.
• Enjoy Level 6 views: The observation deck gives you a 360-degree look over Perth, the Swan River, and Elizabeth Quay.
• Meet engaging guides: Guides including Angela, Jeff, Howard, Jess, Tony, and Patrick have led clear, friendly sessions.
• Allow extra time afterward: The 30-minute experience is only the central part of the visit. You can continue through the galleries and wait to hear special bells ring.
• Good value at $25: The price covers entry, the interactive session, the observation deck, and a Bell Chiming Certificate.

Why the bell-ringing session is the main event

Perth Bell Tower is not just a lookout with a few bells behind glass. The heart of this visit is the chance to see bell ringing in action and try it yourself.

A guide leads the 30-minute interactive session, explaining how the bells work before giving you a turn. You pull the ropes, feel the movement, and hear the result above and around you. That simple physical action changes the visit. Instead of treating the bells as museum objects, you become part of the sound they make.

The session is designed for beginners. You do not need previous bell-ringing experience, and the guides explain what to do before you begin. Jess, Angela, Jeff, Howard, Tony, and Patrick are among the guides who have led sessions, with visitors especially appreciating clear explanations, good humor, and an easy manner.

The group limit of 25 matters here. Bell ringing is a practical activity, so a smaller group gives you a better chance to follow the guide and take part. At busy times, some people may spend part of the introduction on the stairs or a landing rather than in a wide open room. If having a more comfortable position matters to you, choose a quieter session if one is available.

From 14th-century London to modern Perth

The Bell Tower’s story reaches back to 14th-century London. Its collection includes historic royal bells, along with bells connected to Australia’s past and links with London and Westminster.

A particularly notable group is the twelve bells gifted from St. Martin-in-the-Fields for the bicentenary of Australia. Other bells were later gifted by the cities of London and Westminster. These objects give the visit a useful sense of connection between Britain and Australia, rather than presenting the tower as an isolated Perth attraction.

The tower also displays clocks, antique bells, and other bell-related material. Some items line the gallery walls, while other exhibits help explain how bells were made, moved, and used. You will find the collection more rewarding if you take time to read the background rather than rushing straight to the viewing deck.

The Royal Bell and the Anzac Bell are two important points to look for. The Royal Bell links the collection to its older British roots, while the Anzac Bell gives the building a more direct Australian connection. The supplied information does not provide every detail about their construction or sound, so the guide is the best person to explain what you are seeing during your visit.

What happens during the 30-minute tour

The visit begins at Perth Bell Tower in Barrack Square. The guided portion is scheduled at set times from Wednesday through Sunday, and the full building is open from 10:00 AM on those days, except Good Friday and Christmas Day.

Your guide introduces the tower and its bells, then takes you through the practical side of bell ringing. Expect an explanation of the ropes and the basic action needed to make a bell sound. The group then gets a chance to participate.

This is a short tour, but it does not feel like a rushed photo stop. The best part is the balance between explanation and action. You hear why the bells matter, see how the system works, and then get a turn yourself. The physical act of pulling a rope is easy to understand, but the sound gives it a pleasing sense of occasion.

On Thursdays and Sundays, experienced bell ringers perform. If hearing skilled ringers matters to you, check the schedule and try to visit on one of those days. The performance is different from the beginner session. You are watching a practiced group work with the bells, rather than simply learning the first steps.

Once the guided session ends, you can continue around the tower at your own pace. One useful plan is to book the 11:00 AM session and remain until noon, when you may be able to hear the Anzac Bell ring. Exact bell-ringing times can affect this, so ask staff when you arrive.

The Level 6 observation deck

The tower’s upper viewing level is one of the strongest reasons to include this attraction in a Perth day. From Level 6, you get 360-degree views of the Swan River and central Perth.

The position over Barrack Square gives you a different angle on the city than a street-level walk. You can look toward Elizabeth Quay and the river, then turn to take in Perth’s buildings and wider surroundings. The views are particularly useful for getting your bearings early in a visit.

Do not treat the observation deck as a quick stop between floors. Give yourself time to look in every direction and take photographs. The glass construction lets you see through and around much of the tower, though that design may be uncomfortable if you dislike heights.

There is also a playful feature on an upper floor: a jukebox-style setup that lets you play a tune. It is a small part of the visit, but it adds variety after the more formal displays. Families and children may enjoy this break from the historical material.

Galleries, clocks, and the free video postcard

The Bell Tower’s interior contains more than the main bells. You can see antique clocks, old bells, and material linked to bell making and bell ringing. The displays are compact, so the tower works well as a short cultural stop rather than an all-day museum.

You can also record a free video postcard that is uploaded to a YouTube channel for friends and family to watch. This is a distinctive extra, especially if you want to send something more personal than another photograph of Perth’s skyline.

At the end of the interactive session, you receive a Bell Chiming Certificate. It is a modest souvenir, but it gives children a clear sense that they completed an activity rather than simply visited an exhibit. Adults may find it amusing, while families will likely appreciate having something tangible to take home.

The staff at the entry desk and gift shop are also part of the practical experience. If you have a tight schedule, tell them when you need to leave. Staff have helped visitors work around taxi and airport timings, and the 30-minute duration makes this possible if you allow enough time for the lift, viewing areas, and exit.

Is $25 good value?

At $25 per person, this is a fair price for a short Perth attraction, mainly because the ticket includes more than entry to a viewing platform. You get the 30-minute guided bell-chiming experience, access to the galleries, the 360-degree observation deck, and a certificate.

The value depends on what you want from a city attraction. If you only want a high view of Perth, there may be simpler ways to look across the city. If you want a local activity with history, sound, and participation, the Bell Tower gives you more to do for the money.

I think the interactive element makes the price worthwhile. Many historic buildings ask you to look and read. Here, you are shown how the bells operate and then asked to take part. That difference is small but important.

The short duration is another advantage. You can fit the visit into a morning around Elizabeth Quay, Barrack Square, or another central Perth plan. Some people remain for an hour or more by exploring the galleries and waiting for a bell performance, but you are not committed to a long guided outing.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the visit and reserve-now, pay-later booking also make it easier to fit into a changing schedule. Those conditions are useful for a city break where weather, transport, or other plans may shift.

Practical points about access and comfort

The Bell Tower is listed as wheelchair accessible, and the experience is offered in English and Spanish. Confirm the session language when you book if that is important to you.

The building’s glass lift and open staircases need more thought. One visitor with a fear of glass lifts could not take part beyond the gift shop, and part of the guided talk was not available on the ground floor. This is not a minor point for anyone who is uncomfortable with exposed stairways or transparent elevators.

The group limit is 25 people, but the space around the stairs and landings can feel tight when a session is full. The 30-minute format keeps the visit moving, though it may not allow much time for every question during the guided portion. You can ask staff or your guide about the exhibits afterward.

The tower is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM, apart from Good Friday and Christmas Day. The bell-chiming experience operates at set times, so check availability before you arrive rather than assuming you can walk in at any hour.

Who will enjoy this most?

Families are a natural fit. Children can pull a bell rope, hear the effect, look through the tower, and receive a certificate. The activity is short enough to hold attention better than a long museum tour.

It also suits adults who want something different from another city viewpoint. The bells give the attraction a clear identity, and the connection between London, Westminster, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, and Australia adds substance to the visit.

This is a good choice for first-time visitors to Perth who want an easy introduction to the city. The Level 6 view helps you understand the riverfront and central city, while the galleries give you a compact cultural stop.

You may want to skip it if you have severe discomfort with glass lifts or open stairs, or if you are looking for a long, detailed architectural tour of every level. The guided part is focused on bell ringing, not a full escorted tour through each floor. After the session, you explore much of the tower independently.

Small details that improve the visit

Arrive with enough time to find Barrack Square and check in before the scheduled session. Since the experience is limited to 25 people, a late arrival may be more disruptive than it would be at a simple open-air lookout.

Ask about the day’s bell performances, especially if you visit Thursday or Sunday. If you book in the morning, find out if you can stay to hear the Anzac Bell at noon.

Do not leave as soon as the 30-minute session ends. Go to Level 6, walk through the galleries, look for the Royal Bell and Anzac Bell, and try the video postcard if you want a keepsake. The guided session is the key feature, but the extra time makes the $25 ticket feel more complete.

Should you book the Perth Bell Tower experience?

I would book this if you want a short, hands-on attraction with city views and a clear connection to Perth’s past. The chance to ring historic bells yourself is the part you cannot reproduce with a normal lookout visit, and the guides make the process easy for beginners.

Book with realistic expectations. This is a compact 30-minute guided activity followed by self-guided time, not a long museum tour. Check the session time, note the glass lift and open stairs, and aim for a Thursday or Sunday if hearing experienced ringers matters to you.

For $25, the Bell Tower gives you a practical activity, a memorable sound, river and city views, galleries, and a certificate. That is a solid package for a central Perth stop, especially for families and curious adults who prefer doing something over simply looking at another building.

FAQ

Where is the Perth Bell Tower?

The Perth Bell Tower is at Barrack Square in Perth, Western Australia.

How long does the Bell Chiming Experience last?

The guided interactive bell-chiming experience lasts 30 minutes.

How much does entry cost?

The price is $25 per person.

Can I ring the bells myself?

Yes. The interactive session gives you the opportunity to pull the ropes and ring the bells under the guide’s instruction.

What can I see from the observation deck?

The observation deck provides 360-degree views of the Swan River and Perth City. You can also see toward Elizabeth Quay.

What historic bells are at the tower?

The collection includes 14th-century royal bells, twelve bells gifted from St. Martin-in-the-Fields, and bells later gifted by the cities of London and Westminster.

Do I receive anything after the bell-ringing session?

Yes. The experience includes a complimentary Bell Chiming Certificate.

When does the experience operate?

The Bell Tower is open from 10:00 AM Wednesday through Sunday, except Good Friday and Christmas Day. Bell-chiming sessions run at set times, so check the available start times when booking.

Is the Bell Tower wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. The building also has a glass lift and open staircases, which may be important to consider if you are uncomfortable with glass structures or exposed stairs.