Perth Bell Tower Entry Ticket and Bell Chiming Experience

Perth’s bells have a surprisingly long journey. At the Bell Tower in Barrack Square, you can see 14th-century royal bells from London, learn how they reached Australia, and take part in a 30-minute hands-on chiming session. I especially like the chance to pull the ropes yourself and the excellent views from the upper observation deck. The main drawback is that the glass lift and open staircases may be difficult for anyone uncomfortable with heights or exposed spaces.

This is a short, well-priced Perth attraction with more substance than its compact format suggests. I also like that your $25 ticket includes the interactive session, observation deck, and a complimentary Bell Chiming Certificate. Just remember that the guided experience has set times and is limited to 25 people, so you should check the schedule before arriving.

Key points to know before you go

• You get to ring the bells yourself: The guided session explains the ropes and lets beginners take part.
• The bells connect Perth with London: See twelve bells gifted from St. Martin in the Fields, along with gifts from London and Westminster.
• The observation deck is the big visual payoff: Level 6 offers 360-degree views across the Swan River and Perth City.
• The tour takes only 30 minutes: It fits neatly into a morning or afternoon around Elizabeth Quay and Barrack Square.
• Guides make a real difference: Angela, Howard, Jeff, and other guides have been praised for clear, friendly presentations.
• The building needs a little planning: Glass lifts, open staircases, and limited space can affect comfort for some visitors.

Why Perth Bell Tower is worth your time

The Perth Bell Tower is not simply a place to look at old bells behind glass. It gives you a rare chance to see how change ringing works and then try it under guidance. That hands-on element turns an otherwise quiet museum visit into an active experience.

The tower also links Perth to a much older bell-ringing tradition. Some of the bells date from the 14th century, while others arrived as gifts connected with Australia’s bicentenary. You are looking at objects with ties to London, Westminster, St. Martin in the Fields, and modern Australia, all gathered in one compact attraction.

At $25 per person, the ticket offers fair value. You receive entry, the 30-minute guided bell chiming experience, access to the 360-degree observation deck, and a certificate to take home. If you only want a high viewpoint, there are other ways to see Perth. But if you want a short activity with history, participation, and a city view, this ticket earns its price.

Arriving at Barrack Square and entering the tower

The meeting point is Perth Bell Tower at Barrack Square, a convenient location for a city sightseeing plan. You can pair it with time around Elizabeth Quay, and one visitor who booked an 11 a.m. session stayed long enough to hear the Anzac bell at noon.

The attraction is open from 10 a.m. Wednesday through Sunday, except on Good Friday and Christmas Day. The bell chiming experience runs at set times from Wednesday to Sunday, so do not assume that turning up at any point during opening hours guarantees a session.

The staff at the entry desk and gift shop have been praised for being friendly and helpful. That matters here because the attraction has several parts to understand: the guided bell session, the gallery displays, the upper levels, and the observation deck. A little advice at the entrance can help you fit the visit around a taxi, lunch, or another booking.

The first 30 minutes: learning how the bells work

The guided portion is the heart of the ticket. Your guide introduces the tower, explains the bells, and shows you the mechanics behind ringing them. You are not expected to arrive with specialist knowledge. The experience is designed for beginners, and the practical lesson leads directly to your chance to pull the ropes.

The strongest part is the shift from watching to doing. You hear about the bells, see the equipment, and then take part yourself. Several guides have received praise for making the subject easy to follow, with Angela, Howard, Jeff, and Tony all singled out for clear and friendly presentations at different times.

Expect the session to be efficient rather than lengthy. Thirty minutes is enough to explain the basics and let participants have a turn, but it is not a detailed bell-ringing course. If you want a long lecture about every object in the building, this may feel brief. If you want a focused introduction with a hands-on finish, the timing works well.

Group size is limited to 25 participants. That keeps the session manageable, though a full group can feel tight on the stairs and landings. One account described people standing partway on the stairs during the first section because there was not room for everyone on the landing. If you prefer more space, booking a less crowded time may improve the experience, though the available group size remains capped rather than guaranteed to be small.

Pulling the ropes and hearing the bells

The bell chiming session is the reason to choose this ticket instead of a basic entry visit. You learn how different bells respond and then get the chance to pull the ropes. For children, this makes an old building much more memorable. For adults, it offers a rare look at a skill that is usually performed out of sight.

The sound is part of the appeal. You do not just read about the bells, you hear them operate. Experienced bell ringers perform on Thursdays and Sundays, adding another reason to check the day and time of your visit.

You may also hear the carillon bells play a tune while you are there. The upper level includes a jukebox-style setup that lets you play a tune, an amusing extra that adds variety after the guided section. A free video postcard can also be recorded and uploaded to a YouTube channel for friends and family to watch.

The certificate is a small but useful souvenir. It confirms that you completed the bell chiming experience and gives children something tangible to take home. It is not a major attraction by itself, but it rounds off the interactive part nicely.

The bells and their journey from London to Perth

The tower’s displays give the experience its wider meaning. The collection includes antique bells, clocks, and other bell-related material from different places. Historic bells line the gallery walls, along with rare objects that help show how bells have been made, used, and preserved.

The royal bells from 14th-century London are a major point of interest. You can also see twelve bells gifted from St. Martin in the Fields for the bicentenary of Australia, followed by bells gifted by the cities of London and Westminster.

I like this part because it adds context to what might otherwise be a quick novelty activity. The bells are not only large metal objects waiting to be rung. They represent links between Britain and Australia, civic gifts, religious traditions, royal connections, and the practical craft of bell ringing.

The displays are available for you to explore at your own pace after the guided session. Do not rush straight to the exit once the 30 minutes ends. One useful feature of the visit is that you can continue moving through the tower and examine the exhibits independently.

There is one limitation. The upper floors do not always have a guide nearby to answer questions about each display. The guided session covers the main story, but anyone wanting detailed explanations of every object may need to rely on the written material or ask staff when available.

Level 6 and the 360-degree Perth view

The observation deck is the visual reward at the top. From Level 6, you get 360-degree views of the Swan River and Perth City. The view includes the Elizabeth Quay area, making this a useful place to get your bearings before exploring more of central Perth.

The deck is worth allowing time for, not just a quick glance. The tower gives you a different perspective from street-level sightseeing, and the river provides a clear focal point. Bring your camera or phone, since the view is one of the strongest reasons to include the Bell Tower in a city itinerary.

The structure itself is glass-heavy, including the lift and open staircases. That creates a bright, airy setting and helps with the views, but it is not comfortable for everyone. If you have a fear of glass lifts or exposed stairways, consider this carefully before purchasing. A visitor with that concern was unable to take part and had to remain in the gift shop.

The Bell Tower is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the supplied information does not explain every route or facility in detail. If you need specific assistance, confirm the arrangements directly before your visit.

How to plan the timing

The experience lasts 30 minutes, but you should allow extra time for the exhibits and observation deck. One visitor expected a short tour and ended up spending roughly an hour to an hour and a half exploring the tower afterward.

A practical plan looks like this:

• Arrive at Barrack Square before your booked start time.
• Take the guided bell chiming session.
• Explore the galleries and historic bells.
• Go to Level 6 for the city and river views.
• Check the schedule for a carillon tune or an Anzac bell ringing if that matters to you.

The tower is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m., with closures on Good Friday and Christmas Day. The bell experience has set times, and its maximum group size is 25. Thursday and Sunday are especially worth considering if you want to hear experienced bell ringers perform.

Spanish and English guide options are available. Check the specific departure when booking, since language availability may vary by time.

Who will enjoy this experience most

Families are a natural fit. Children can pull the ropes, hear the bells, see the machinery, and collect a certificate. The session is short enough to hold attention, and the view gives the visit a clear finish.

It also suits adults who want something different from the usual city walk. The tower offers history without requiring half a day, and the practical bell-ringing element gives you a story to remember.

The experience works well for first-time visitors to Perth because it combines a local landmark, a city view, and a connection with Australia’s past. It is also useful for anyone with limited time. One visitor with a taxi waiting for an airport transfer was assured that the staff could help keep the visit on schedule.

You may want to skip it if you strongly dislike heights, glass lifts, or open stairs. You should also think twice if you want a long, detailed museum tour with a guide beside every exhibit. The Bell Tower is at its best when you want a compact, active visit.

Value, comfort, and possible drawbacks

The price is reasonable for what is included. A basic viewpoint can give you scenery, and a museum can give you objects, but this ticket combines entry, interpretation, participation, and a certificate for $25. That is a solid deal for a 30-minute guided experience, especially if you stay afterward to explore the tower.

The biggest issue is physical comfort. A full group may have limited room on the stair landings, and the glass design can be unsettling. The visit is wheelchair accessible, but the details of how each part is handled are not provided, so specific access needs should be checked in advance.

The experience also depends on the guide. The named guides Angela, Howard, Jeff, and Tony have all been praised for friendly and clear instruction, which suggests the presentation is a major part of the attraction’s appeal. Since the session is short, a good guide helps the history land quickly instead of letting it become a list of dates and names.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and the option to reserve now and pay later make the booking less risky. Those terms are useful if your Perth schedule may shift, but you still need to choose a time that matches the set bell chiming departures.

Should you book the Perth Bell Tower ticket?

I would book it if you want a short, unusual Perth activity with real participation. The chance to ring historic bells is the key reason to choose this experience, while the Level 6 view and London connections add value before and after the session.

Choose a Thursday or Sunday if hearing experienced ringers matters to you, and consider an 11 a.m. visit if you want to remain for the noon Anzac bell, subject to the day’s schedule. Arrive with enough time to enjoy the galleries, not just the 30-minute lesson.

Skip it if glass lifts and open stairs will make the visit stressful, or if you need a fully guided tour of every floor. For families, curious adults, and anyone who likes history with a hands-on twist, the Bell Tower is an easy recommendation at $25.

FAQ

Where does the Perth Bell Tower experience begin?

It begins at Perth Bell Tower in Barrack Square, Western Australia.

How long does the bell chiming experience last?

The guided interactive bell chiming experience lasts 30 minutes.

What does the $25 ticket include?

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

Can I ring the bells myself?

Yes. The experience includes a beginner-friendly opportunity to pull the ropes and chime the bells under guidance.

When is the Bell Tower open?

The Bell Tower is open from 10 a.m. Wednesday through Sunday, except on Good Friday and Christmas Day.

How many people can join the bell chiming experience?

The experience is limited to 25 participants.

Is the Perth Bell Tower wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. For specific access arrangements, you should confirm details before booking.