Perth Bell Tower Entry Ticket and Bell Chiming Experience

The most unusual part of Perth’s Bell Tower is also the most hands-on: you do not simply look at old bells behind glass. During the 30-minute chiming session, you learn how the ropes work and get a turn at ringing the bells yourself. It is a rare chance to see bell ringing in action inside a working tower.

I like the clear mix of history and activity here. The 360-degree observation deck gives you broad views over the Swan River and Perth, while the collection of royal bells, clocks, and bell-related objects gives the tower more substance than its sleek exterior suggests.

The main thing to consider is the building itself. It is a glass tower, with a glass lift and open staircases. That can be difficult for anyone uneasy with heights or glass structures, and the 30-minute guided session may feel crowded when the group reaches the stair landings.

Key points to know before you book

• You get to ring the bells yourself: The guided session explains the ropes and lets beginners take part.
• The bells span centuries: See 14th-century royal bells from London, bells from St. Martin in the Fields, and later gifts from London and Westminster.
• The view is a major part of the visit: Level 6 provides 360-degree views of Perth, the Swan River, and Elizabeth Quay.
• The booked activity lasts 30 minutes: You can then continue exploring the tower and exhibits at your own pace.
• Groups are limited to 25 people: Booked time slots are offered Wednesday through Sunday.
• You receive a keepsake: Every participant gets a complimentary Bell Chiming Certificate.

Why the bell ringing is the real attraction

Perth Bell Tower can be visited as a viewing platform and museum, but the chiming session gives the visit its purpose. You learn by doing. Rather than listening to a long talk and moving on, you are shown how a bell is controlled, then invited to pull the rope and hear the result.

For a first-time ringer, that small act makes the machinery easier to understand. The bells stop being distant objects from another century. You see the physical work behind the sound, and you begin to understand why timing, coordination, and practice matter.

The experience is suitable for beginners. You do not need musical training or prior bell-ringing experience. Guides such as Angela, Howard, Jeff, Tony, and Jess have been praised for explaining the subject clearly and keeping the mood friendly. The quality of the session depends partly on the guide on duty, but the strongest pattern is a short, well-organized talk followed by practical participation.

The limit of 25 people matters. It keeps the session from becoming a huge crowd, although a full group can still feel tight on the stairs and small landings. If you prefer a quieter visit, a less crowded time slot may make it easier to hear the guide and watch the ropes.

A short lesson with a genuine hands-on moment

The chiming experience takes place at set times from Wednesday through Sunday. Your guide introduces the bells, explains their origins, and shows you the basic method used to ring them. Then comes the part most people remember: you have a chance to operate the ropes and make the bells sound.

This is not a full bell-ringing course. The session is brief, so expect an introduction rather than advanced instruction. That is a strength if you are fitting the Bell Tower into a busy day in Perth. In half an hour, you get a practical activity, a short lesson, and access to the rest of the building.

Parents may find the format especially useful. Children can see how the bells work, take part in the rope pulling, and receive a certificate at the end. The activity offers something to do, not just something to photograph, which helps keep younger visitors interested.

The sound itself is part of the appeal. The carillon bells play a tune while you are in the tower, adding a sense of occasion to the visit. Experienced bell ringers perform on Thursdays and Sundays, so those days may be especially appealing if hearing skilled players matters to you.

From 14th-century London to modern Perth

The collection gives the Bell Tower a strong historical thread. Twelve bells were gifted from St. Martin in the Fields for the bicentenary of Australia. Additional bells later came from the cities of London and Westminster.

Among the most striking objects are the 14th-century royal bells. You can also see the Royal Bell and the Anzac Bell, along with antique bells, clocks, and other items linked to bell making and bell ringing. The display helps connect Perth to London and to a much older European tradition.

I like that the collection is not limited to one grand object. Bells line the gallery walls, and the surrounding material shows how widely bells have been used. You might find the clocks and smaller artifacts just as interesting as the largest bells, especially if you enjoy mechanical objects or old civic traditions.

The exhibits are largely self-guided once you move beyond the chiming session. That gives you freedom to pause where you like, but it also means you should not expect a guide beside every display. If you want detailed answers about every object, the 30-minute session is the part to prioritize.

Level 6 and the best views in the tower

The observation deck is on Level 6, and it is one of the strongest reasons to include the Bell Tower in a Perth city visit. From here, you get 360-degree views across the Swan River and central Perth. Elizabeth Quay is especially easy to appreciate from above.

This is a good place to bring your camera, but the view has value beyond a quick photograph. From the tower, you can better understand how the river, quay, and city fit together. The high position also gives you a useful orientation point early in your stay.

The deck is reached by the building’s glass lift and open staircases. That design makes the ascent part of the attraction, with views appearing as you move upward. It can also be a serious drawback for anyone with a fear of glass lifts, exposed stairs, or heights.

Wheelchair access is listed for the activity. If you have a specific concern about the glass lift or open areas, it is sensible to check with the Bell Tower before booking, since the experience is built around moving through the tower.

How long should you allow?

The guided bell chiming experience lasts 30 minutes. That is the time you should protect if you are booking around a meal, cruise, airport transfer, or another timed activity.

You can continue upstairs and look around the tower at your own pace after the guided portion. Some visitors have spent an hour to an hour and a half in total, especially when they stayed for additional bell ringing, explored the displays, and lingered on Level 6.

A useful plan is to allow at least an hour overall, even though the booked session is only half an hour. That gives you time to see the bells, visit the observation deck, and avoid rushing through the exhibits.

You may also want to check the daily schedule for special ringing. Experienced ringers perform on Thursdays and Sundays, and the Anzac Bell may ring at a set time. One visitor who booked an 11:00 AM visit stayed to hear the Anzac Bell at noon. Treat that as a scheduling possibility rather than a guaranteed part of every visit, and confirm the timing when you arrive.

Is $25 good value?

At $25 per person, this is a fair-priced Perth attraction, particularly because the ticket combines entry, a guided activity, the observation deck, and a certificate. You are not paying only for a view. You are also getting access to an unusual working tradition that is hard to experience casually.

The value is strongest if you take part in the chiming session. The guided portion gives you context for the bells and lets you operate them. If you only want a quick look at Perth from above, there may be cheaper ways to enjoy a view, but they will not offer the bell collection or hands-on lesson.

The visit also works well for people with limited time. The core activity is finished in 30 minutes, and you can decide afterward how long to remain. That flexibility makes the Bell Tower easy to add to a day around Barrack Square and Elizabeth Quay.

The certificate is a modest souvenir, but it suits the activity. It gives children and first-time ringers something tangible to take home without adding a large extra cost.

Practical timing and languages

Perth Bell Tower is open from 10:00 AM Wednesday through Sunday. It is closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day, and the chiming experience runs at set times on those open days.

Guiding is available in English and Spanish. When booking, check the available starting times and language for the session you want. The experience is limited to 25 participants, so a booked time is useful if you are visiting during a busy period.

The meeting point is Perth Bell Tower at Barrack Square. The attraction is a natural fit with a walk around the waterfront, though the supplied information does not specify transport arrangements or parking details. Plan to arrive with enough time to find the entrance and check in without cutting into the 30-minute session.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Perth schedule is still changing.

A good choice for families and curious adults

I would recommend this to families because the activity has a clear beginning, a practical middle, and a certificate at the end. Children can pull the ropes, hear the bells respond, and then look for the largest or oldest bells in the displays.

It also suits adults who like unusual local experiences. The tower connects Perth with London, Westminster, St. Martin in the Fields, and Australia’s own civic story. You get a small lesson in music, engineering, migration, ceremony, and city identity without committing half a day.

The Bell Tower is less ideal if you dislike guided activities or want to wander entirely alone. The chiming session happens at a fixed time, and the most distinctive part of the visit is group-based. You can explore independently afterward, but skipping the session means missing the reason this ticket costs more than simple entry.

It may also disappoint anyone expecting a long architectural tour of every level. The guide focuses on the bells and the chiming activity. Some areas are self-guided, and you may not have a guide available to explain each exhibit in detail.

What I would do on the day

I would book a chiming time, arrive at Barrack Square a little early, and take part in the full 30-minute session rather than treating it as an optional extra. Listen closely at the start, since the explanation gives meaning to the hands-on part that follows.

Afterward, I would move through the galleries at an unhurried pace. Look for the 14th-century royal bells, the bells from St. Martin in the Fields, and the gifts from London and Westminster. Then I would head to Level 6 for the view over the Swan River and Elizabeth Quay.

If the schedule allows, I would check whether the Anzac Bell or a performance by experienced ringers is due later in the day. This can turn a short attraction into a fuller waterfront stop.

Do not rush out after collecting the certificate. The certificate marks the end of the guided activity, not necessarily the end of your visit.

Should you book the Perth Bell Tower experience?

Yes, if you want an activity that is short, affordable, and more active than a standard observation deck. The chance to ring historic bells is the key reason to book, and the views and collection make the $25 price feel reasonable.

I would be more cautious if you have a strong fear of glass lifts, open staircases, or heights. I would also check the schedule carefully if you need Spanish guiding, want to hear experienced ringers, or have another appointment soon afterward.

For most people spending time in central Perth, this is a worthwhile 30-minute booking with room to extend the visit. Book the chiming experience, not just the idea of seeing the tower, and you will get the most from your ticket.

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.

Can I ring the bells myself?

Yes. The experience includes instruction and an opportunity to take part in ringing the bells.

What does the ticket include?

The ticket includes entry to Perth Bell Tower, the 30-minute guided interactive bell chiming experience, access to the 360-degree observation deck, and a complimentary Bell Chiming Certificate.

What can I see from the observation deck?

You can enjoy 360-degree views of the Swan River and Perth city, including views toward Elizabeth Quay.

What languages are available?

The live guide is available in English and Spanish.

When does the Bell Tower open?

Perth Bell Tower is open from 10:00 AM Wednesday through Sunday, except on Good Friday and Christmas Day.

Is the Bell Tower wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. The building also includes a glass lift and open staircases, so you may wish to confirm any specific access needs before booking.