REVIEW · PERTH
The ANZAC Bell Tour
Book on Viator →Operated by The Bell Tower, Home of the Swan Bells, Perth · Bookable on Viator
A 6,500kg bell makes history feel physical. The ANZAC Bell Tour at Perth’s Bell Tower is a short, small-group peek behind the scenes, timed to the midday ring, plus sweeping views over the Swan River and Perth City from the observation deck. I love the chance to chime the bells up close in the ringing chamber, and I also love how the tour turns the building into a viewpoint.
One thing to keep in mind: if you’re hunting for very specific, detailed answers about Gallipoli connections, don’t assume the tour will satisfy every historical curiosity. It’s focused on the bells and their meaning, and you may need to ask your guide direct questions to get the depth you want.
In This Review
- Key highlights I’d plan around
- Perth’s ANZAC Bell Tour: short, focused, and timed to the ring
- Where to start at the Bell Tower (and how the timing affects your experience)
- Level 1 ringing chamber: the hands-on part that people remember
- Level 5 at midday: seeing the 6,500kg ANZAC Bell ring
- Level 6 carillon song and observation deck views
- The take-home ANZAC Bell medallion (and a simple Perth Mint tip)
- Small-group feel: what 14 travelers changes
- What I think is the best use of this tour on your itinerary
- One drawback to plan for: historical specifics
- Should you book the ANZAC Bell Tour?
- FAQ
- Where is the ANZAC Bell Tour in Perth?
- What time does the tour start?
- How long does the tour last?
- How much does it cost?
- What’s included in the ticket price?
- Is there a mobile ticket?
- What happens during the tour?
- Do you get a medallion for free?
- Can I engrave the medallion somewhere else?
- What’s the group size?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key highlights I’d plan around
- Ringing chamber access on level 1 so you can try chiming the ancient bells
- Midday ANZAC Bell moment on level 5 timed to when the 6,500kg bell rings
- Carillon performance at level 6 with a WWI song and Perth skyline views
- Swan River + Perth City panoramas from the sixth-floor observation deck
- Take-home ANZAC Bell medallion you can use for free engraving at Perth Mint
Perth’s ANZAC Bell Tour: short, focused, and timed to the ring
If you only have an hour and want something that feels more than a quick photo stop, this tour works. It’s built around a single payoff: hearing and seeing the ANZAC Bell ring at midday. That timing matters because the experience is not just about reading plaques. You’re inside the Bell Tower’s working spaces, and you get the sensory part too.
You’ll also get the “where am I?” payoff. The Bell Tower sits near Elizabeth Quay, and the views from the observation level are the kind that helps you understand Perth’s layout fast. For a city trip, that’s a practical win.
Price-wise, $25.10 is straightforward for a guided, ticketed tour that includes entry, a branded medallion, and bell-focused access. The value jumps if you also plan to visit Perth Mint, because the medallion can be taken there for free engraving.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Perth.
Where to start at the Bell Tower (and how the timing affects your experience)
You meet at the Bell Tower, Barrack Square, Riverside Drive, Perth WA 6000. The start time is 11:30am, and the tour runs about 45 minutes to 1 hour. That 11:30 start is not random. It gives you time to move through levels, settle into the ringing-chamber portion, and then catch the midday ring.
This is one reason I like booking for daytime on a Perth itinerary. It anchors part of your day around an actual event rather than a vague attraction visit.
It’s also a small group setup: a maximum of 14 travelers. Smaller groups tend to mean you’ll get more real interaction—especially when the tour involves chiming bells and listening in rooms where sound is a big part of the point.
Level 1 ringing chamber: the hands-on part that people remember
The tour begins by taking you to level 1 and into the ringing chamber area. This is where you get the closest, most memorable interaction: you’ll be shown what to do and then you get to chime the ancient bells with your experienced guide.
Even if you have zero musical background, this part lands because it’s physical. You’re standing near something heavy and purposeful, not just watching a display case. The guide also explains the meaning of the ANZAC Bell, and that context helps you make sense of what you’re hearing during the rest of the tour.
One practical tip: expect your attention to be divided between listening and looking. Sound behaves differently in a tall, stone-and-metal space than it does outdoors, so give yourself a moment to settle in. You’ll get more out of it.
Level 5 at midday: seeing the 6,500kg ANZAC Bell ring
Next you move up to level 5, where the tour centers on the 6,500kg ANZAC Bell and the moment it rings at midday. This is the big visual and audio highlight, and it’s the part the tour is clearly structured around.
Why that matters: when a bell rings on schedule, it creates a shared attention moment. Everyone in your group is waiting for the same sound cue, and you’re in position to watch what happens in the tower as it happens.
The tour keeps the focus on the bell itself—what it represents and how the tower functions—so you’re not just sitting through a lecture. You’re experiencing the event, and then the guide ties it back to meaning.
Level 6 carillon song and observation deck views
After the heavy, historic bell moment, the tour shifts to sound and scenery. On level 6, you’ll hear a popular WWI song played on the carillon. Right after that, you’re in the sixth-floor observation deck zone for panoramic views over the Swan River and Perth City.
This pairing is smart. The song gives you an emotional anchor, and then the views help you recalibrate. It feels like the tower isn’t stuck in the past; it’s also part of the city you’re walking around today.
You don’t need to be a history buff to enjoy this segment. If you’re the type who likes skyline views, it’s also a solid viewpoint stop—but with a difference. You’re not just looking out. You’re listening to a WWI-era carillon performance while you orient yourself with the river and city.
The take-home ANZAC Bell medallion (and a simple Perth Mint tip)
You’ll be presented with a take-home ANZAC Bell medallion after the tour. The best part is what you can do with it next: you can take it to Perth Mint for free engraving.
Here’s the practical order I’d follow: if Perth Mint is on your list, plan to do this tour first so your medallion is ready to engrave while you’re nearby. It’s a small detail, but it saves you from the annoyance of trying to remember later or fitting it around conflicting schedules.
Also note an important point from the tour info: free-entry customers do not receive a medallion (they may be available to purchase at the Bell Tower). If a medallion is a key goal for you, double-check which ticket type you’re booked under.
Small-group feel: what 14 travelers changes
Because the group max is 14 travelers, the vibe tends to be less like a bus tour and more like guided access. This is especially helpful for the ringing chamber portion, where you’re closer to the action than typical walk-through attractions.
Mobile tickets also make it easy to show up without printing. If you’re doing other city stops that day, you’ll appreciate anything that reduces admin time.
The tour also runs daily, which helps if you’re building a flexible Perth plan. Short tours like this can be a lifesaver when your schedule is already packed with museums, food stops, or a river walk.
What I think is the best use of this tour on your itinerary
I’d slot the ANZAC Bell Tour in any day where you want:
- a quick, guided history-meets-views stop
- a midday anchor for your schedule
- a hands-on moment (chiming bells) rather than just observing
It also pairs well with a walk around Elizabeth Quay and a Perth City loop, since you’re already in the riverfront core.
If you’re traveling with kids, it can work because the experience is active—listen, look, try chiming. If you’re traveling solo, the small group size makes it easier to interact with the guide and ask questions without feeling lost in a crowd.
And if you’re someone who needs total silence and self-paced exhibits, you might find a guided tour format slightly more structured than you’d like. But that structure is also the reason the midday ring is reliably captured.
One drawback to plan for: historical specifics
The tour’s strength is the bells, the tower, and the scheduled ringing moments. That means it may not satisfy every deep historical question you might have about WWI events and specific campaigns.
If Gallipoli is top of mind for you, go in ready to ask direct questions. The guide can shape the explanation based on what you want to understand, but don’t expect the tour to behave like a textbook or a full lecture.
Should you book the ANZAC Bell Tour?
Yes, I think you should book it if you want a compact, high-impact experience in Perth. The mix of behind-the-scenes access, the chance to chime the bells, the midday ANZAC Bell ring, and the Swan River viewpoint makes it a strong use of time for $25.10.
Skip it only if you’re not interested in bell sound, don’t care about WWI context, or you already have your schedule locked into long museum-style visits where you prefer to go at your own pace.
If you’re deciding this week: book ahead when you can. This tour is commonly reserved around a month in advance, and the schedule is timed around the midday ringing, so earlier planning keeps it easy.
FAQ
Where is the ANZAC Bell Tour in Perth?
You’ll meet at the Bell Tower, Barrack Square, Riverside Drive, Perth WA 6000, Australia, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.
What time does the tour start?
The start time is 11:30am.
How long does the tour last?
It runs about 45 minutes to 1 hour (approximately).
How much does it cost?
The price is $25.10 per person.
What’s included in the ticket price?
The tour includes all fees and taxes, an admission ticket, the guided experience, and a take-home ANZAC Bell medallion.
Is there a mobile ticket?
Yes, the tour uses a mobile ticket.
What happens during the tour?
You’ll go behind the scenes at the Bell Tower, learn about the ANZAC Bell, witness the bell ring at midday, try chiming the ancient bells in the ringing chamber, and hear a WWI song played on the carillon at the observation deck level.
Do you get a medallion for free?
Most guests receive a take-home ANZAC Bell medallion after the tour. Free entry customers do not receive a medallion, and medallions may be available to purchase at the Bell Tower.
Can I engrave the medallion somewhere else?
Yes. You can take the medallion to Perth Mint for free engraving.
What’s the group size?
The tour has a maximum of 14 travelers.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.
