Perth: The Premium Anzac Bell Tour at the Bell Tower

The main event is a one-minute ring from the 6,500-kilo Anzac Bell, heard from an exclusive viewing area at exactly midday. Before that, you step into the ringing chamber and chime the tower’s ancient bells yourself, which gives this short tour more hands-on appeal than a simple lookout visit.

I like the personal bell-ringing session and the small-group feel. I also like the thoughtful keepsake: you receive an Anzac medallion and certificate, and the medallion can be engraved free at the Perth Mint. The main drawback is timing. You need a tour that lines up with noon, and the guide’s voice may be hard to hear at times.

Key points to know before you book

• Chime the ancient bells yourself: The guide takes you behind the scenes into the ringing chamber for an interactive demonstration.
• Hear the Anzac Bell at midday: The 6,500-kilo bell rings for one minute at exactly 12 noon.
• Receive a useful keepsake: Your ticket includes a bell-chiming certificate and Anzac medallion, with free engraving at the Perth Mint.
• Use the exclusive level-five viewing area: You watch the midday ring from a space reserved for Anzac Bell Tour customers.
• Finish above Perth: The level-six observation deck gives you 360-degree views over the Swan River and Perth city.
• Plan around the clock: The tour lasts 45 minutes, and its main moment cannot be separated from the noon ringing.

Why the Anzac Bell is the tour’s main event

The Anzac Bell gives this Bell Tower visit a clear purpose. It is not just a large bell in a tower. You learn about the Anzac legend and the meaning attached to the bell before seeing it ring at midday.

That timing matters. The bell rings for one full minute at exactly noon, so the experience has a small ceremony built into it. You are not simply waiting for a random demonstration. The guide leads you through the earlier parts of the tour, then brings you to the viewing area in time for the main event.

At 6,500 kilos, the bell has real physical presence. The supplied details do not describe the sound in technical terms, so I would not promise a particular volume or tone. Still, the size and one-minute ring make this more than a quick photo stop.

The tour also gives the bell a human setting. You hear about its Anzac meaning, then watch and listen to it in operation. That link between story and sound is the reason I would choose this experience over simply entering the Bell Tower on your own.

Starting at the Bell Tower entrance

You begin at the Bell Tower in Perth. Present your ticket at the entrance and collect the token used for the tour. A staff member then directs you to level 1, where you meet the guide and begin the guided portion.

The experience lasts 45 minutes, so there is little wasted time. You move through the tower in a set order: level 1 for the ancient bells, level 5 for the Anzac Bell, and level 6 for the observation deck and final presentation.

The tour is in English, and live guiding is included. That is useful here because the bell’s meaning and the mechanics of ringing are easier to follow when someone explains them as you go. If you have questions, the guide can answer them during the tour.

Guide quality can shape the experience. Jeff received especially warm praise for explaining things carefully, answering questions patiently, and taking photos and video for a solo participant. Another guide, Tony, was described as very informed, but his voice was sometimes difficult to hear. I would stay close to the guide, especially inside the ringing chamber where sound may not carry well.

Chiming the ancient bells on level 1

The first real activity takes place in the ringing chamber on level 1. You step behind the scenes and chime the ancient bells during an interactive demonstration.

This is the part that makes the tour feel personal. You are not only looking at equipment or listening to a talk. You get to take part, then receive a certificate confirming your bell-chiming experience.

The information provided does not explain the exact mechanism or how many bells you will chime, so I would not expect a full lesson in bell ringing. Think of it as a guided introduction, with the chance to make the bells sound under supervision.

That distinction matters if you are comparing this with a general Bell Tower admission ticket. The premium tour adds an activity you cannot get from a lookout visit alone. It also gives the guide a natural way to explain how the tower works.

This section should suit families, first-time visitors, and anyone who likes a hands-on stop. It is also good for solo visitors. Jeff was specifically noted for taking pictures and even a video while one person rang the bells, so you can ask the guide about photos if you are visiting alone.

Learning the Anzac story before noon

After the chiming demonstration, the guide explains the history of the Anzac Bell and the meaning behind it. This is a short tour, so you should expect a focused introduction rather than a long military history lecture.

That is enough for the next part to carry more weight. Without the explanation, the midday ring could feel like a mechanical demonstration. With it, the bell becomes a memorial object with a particular Australian connection.

I like this order. You first experience the bells with your hands, then receive the background, then see the largest bell ring. The tour moves from participation to context to ceremony.

The details supplied do not specify the full wording of the Anzac story or the exact design of the bell. If you want a detailed account of its construction or a broad history of Anzac traditions, you may find the 45-minute format too brief. For a compact introduction tied to a real sound and place, it works well.

Watching the 6,500-kilo bell ring at midday

Next, you follow the guide to level 5. An exclusive viewing area is reserved for people on the Anzac Bell Tour, giving you a dedicated place to watch the midday ringing.

The bell rings for one minute at exactly 12 noon. I would treat this as the point around which you plan your visit, not as a minor extra. Arriving at a different time could mean missing the feature that justifies the premium price.

A one-minute ring may sound short, but it creates a clean finish to the historical section. You have already chimed the smaller or ancient bells yourself, learned why the Anzac Bell matters, and now watch the large bell operate.

The description does not state how many people join each tour, only that it is a small-group premium tour. That should make the guided movement easier than a large group, but the available information does not promise a private tour. If the sound matters most to you, stay near the guide and listen closely for any instructions.

Looking over Perth from level 6

The tour finishes on level 6, at the Bell Tower’s observation deck. You get 360-degree views over Perth city and the Swan River.

This is a good final stop because it lets you shift from the tower’s enclosed ringing rooms to a broad view of the city. The deck also gives the tour a quieter ending after the bell’s midday ring.

The views may be the most lasting part for some people, especially if you enjoy seeing a city from above. The description does not identify every sight visible from the deck, so I would keep expectations general: you are looking across Perth and the Swan River rather than receiving a named landmark-by-landmark skyline tour.

Your guide also plays a World War 1 tune on the coin-operated carillon. That detail adds a final musical link to the Anzac theme. It is not presented as another large bell-ringing performance, so think of it as a short closing demonstration.

Afterward, you receive the Anzac medallion and certificate. The medallion can be engraved for free at the Perth Mint, which gives you a practical reason to keep it rather than tuck it away with ordinary admission souvenirs.

What the $29 price includes

At $29 per person, the tour is priced above a basic building visit, but the comparison should include what you actually receive. The ticket covers the 45-minute guided experience, all-day entry, bell chiming, the certificate, the exclusive level-five viewing area, the medallion, and access to the 360-degree deck.

The strongest value comes from the combination of participation and timing. You chime the ancient bells, then watch the much larger Anzac Bell ring at noon. If you only want a city view, a premium guided bell tour may not be the best use of your money. If you want a specific Perth experience with a souvenir and a historical focus, the price is easier to justify.

All-day entry is useful. The guided part lasts 45 minutes, but you can explore the Bell Tower further afterward. That keeps the visit from feeling like you paid for a short appointment and then had to leave.

There is no transportation included, so you need to make your own way to the Bell Tower. The ticket also does not include the cost of getting the medallion engraved, though the engraving itself at the Perth Mint is free according to the tour details.

Timing, access, and practical planning

The biggest practical issue is the noon schedule. Check the available starting times and choose one that allows you to be at the Bell Tower for the midday ring. Because the bell sounds at exactly noon, flexibility is limited.

You can explore the tower using stairs or an elevator. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, which is important because the tour moves between levels 1, 5, and 6.

The tour is conducted in English. If you have difficulty hearing, position yourself near the guide and ask for clarification when needed. One guide was praised for patience and clear explanations, while another received a note that his voice could be hard to hear, so this is worth keeping in mind.

The front desk staff were described as friendly and helpful, and the arrival process is simple: show your ticket, collect the tour token, and follow the staff member to level 1. You do not need separate transportation arranged through the experience.

Who will enjoy this Bell Tower visit

I would recommend the tour to you if you enjoy short, focused experiences with a strong sense of place. The hands-on bell chiming makes it a good choice for families and curious first-time visitors. The Anzac story and midday ring give history-minded visitors a clear reason to book.

It also suits solo visitors better than many small-group activities. A guide may be able to take photos or video while you ring the bells, as Jeff did for one participant. That is not a formal promise, but it is worth asking.

The tour is less suitable if you want a long, detailed historical lecture, a flexible schedule, or a quiet visit with no fixed event. The noon ringing controls the pace, and 45 minutes leaves limited time for extended questions.

You should also consider your interest in the tower itself. The best value comes when you care about at least two of these three things: ringing the ancient bells, understanding the Anzac Bell, and seeing Perth from the observation deck. If you only want the view, the premium tour may offer more structure than you need.

Should you book the Anzac Bell Tour?

Book it if you want a memorable 45-minute stop built around a real event, not just a lookout. The ancient bell chiming, the one-minute Anzac Bell ring at noon, and the engraved medallion give the visit several distinct parts for $29.

I would book early enough to match your day to the midday ringing, then allow extra time afterward to use the all-day entry and enjoy the tower at your own pace. Stay close to the guide, ask questions, and plan to visit the Perth Mint if you want the medallion engraved.

Skip it if your schedule cannot accommodate noon or if you are mainly seeking a broad Perth view. For everyone else, this is a compact, hands-on way to connect the Bell Tower’s sound, Anzac meaning, and city panorama in one visit.

FAQ

How long does the Premium Anzac Bell Tour last?

The guided tour lasts 45 minutes. Your ticket also includes all-day entry to the Bell Tower, so you can continue exploring afterward.

What time does the Anzac Bell ring?

The 6,500-kilo Anzac Bell rings for one minute at exactly midday.

Can I ring the bells myself?

Yes. The tour includes an interactive chiming demonstration in the ringing chamber, where you can chime the ancient bells with guidance from the tour leader.

What is included with the ticket?

The ticket includes all-day entry, the guided tour, a bell-chiming certificate, an exclusive Anzac medallion, access to the level-five viewing area, and entry to the 360-degree observation deck.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. You can explore the Bell Tower using stairs or an elevator.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation is not included, so you need to make your own way to the Bell Tower.