Perth: The Premium Anzac Bell Tour at the Bell Tower

The best part of Perth’s Premium Anzac Bell Tour is the chance to chime the ancient bells yourself, then watch the 6,500-kilo Anzac Bell sound for a full minute at midday. This is more hands-on than a standard tower visit, and the small-group format gives you time to ask questions and take photographs.

I like the direct link between the Anzac Bell and the Anzac story, and I like that your ticket includes an exclusive viewing area, a certificate, and a medallion that can be engraved free at the Perth Mint. The main drawback is the short 45-minute tour. If you want to explore every part of the Bell Tower at leisure, you’ll need to use the included all-day entry after the guided portion.

Key points to know before you book

• Chime the ancient bells: You step into the ringing chamber and take part in an interactive demonstration.
• Hear the Anzac Bell at noon: The 6,500-kilo bell rings for one minute at exactly midday.
• Receive a keepsake: Your ticket includes a bell-chiming certificate and an exclusive Anzac medallion.
• Use the private viewing area: The tour includes access to a level-five area reserved for Anzac Bell Tour customers.
• See Perth from above: Finish on the level-six observation deck with 360-degree views over the Swan River and city.
• Stay after the tour: Your ticket provides all-day entry, so you can continue exploring the Bell Tower on your own.

Why the Anzac Bell moment matters

The Anzac Bell is the focus of this tour, not just another object to look at behind a barrier. You learn about the Anzac legend and the meaning attached to the bell before seeing it ring. That context gives the noon chime more weight than a simple demonstration of a large piece of machinery.

At 6,500 kilos, the bell has a powerful sound and presence. The scheduled ringing lasts one minute and happens at exactly midday, so timing matters. Plan to arrive ready for the tour rather than treating the noon ringing as something you might catch by chance.

The Bell Tower’s connection to the Anzac story also gives the visit a distinctly Australian angle. You are not only looking over Perth from a high point. You are hearing a bell tied to remembrance, service, and national identity.

That part of the tour will suit you best if you enjoy local history presented through a physical object. If you mainly want city views, a regular Bell Tower visit may be enough. The premium tour earns its higher price through the access and explanation surrounding the Anzac Bell.

Starting at the Bell Tower

You begin at the Bell Tower in Perth. Present your ticket at the entrance, collect your tour token, and meet the local staff before going to level one. Transportation is not included, so you’ll need to make your own way to the tower.

The meeting process is simple, but allow enough time to find the entrance and be ready before the tour begins. The experience lasts 45 minutes, and the noon bell provides a fixed endpoint. A late arrival could mean missing the most important part of the visit.

The tour is conducted in English with a live guide. The small-group setting is useful here because bell ringing works best when you can hear the instructions and get a turn without being hurried through a large crowd.

Chiming the ancient bells on level one

The first major activity takes place in the ringing chamber on level one. Your guide takes you behind the scenes and shows you how to chime the ancient bells. This is the most interactive section of the tour, since you are not simply watching someone else operate them.

I like this part because it makes the Bell Tower feel less like a viewing platform and more like a working place. You get a basic sense of the action needed to produce the sound, while the guide explains what you are doing.

The pace can vary with the size of the group. In a small group, you should have a better chance to take your turn and ask questions. One recorded tour with Jeff was especially attentive, with time for photographs and even a video of the participant ringing the bells. That suggests it is worth asking your guide for a quick picture if you are traveling alone.

Do not expect a long technical workshop. The chiming demonstration is a short, accessible introduction. Its value comes from participation and atmosphere, not from learning every detail of bell engineering.

Learning the Anzac story before the noon ringing

After the hands-on bell session, your guide explains the history of the Anzac Bell and its meaning. This is an important pause in the tour. Without it, the huge bell could seem impressive but distant. With the explanation, the upcoming ringing has a clear purpose.

The quality of this section depends partly on the guide’s delivery. Jeff has been praised for explaining thoroughly, answering questions patiently, and allowing visitors to take their time. Tony has also been noted for his strong subject knowledge, though some people found his voice difficult to hear at points.

That is useful practical information. If you have hearing difficulties, position yourself close to the guide and ask for repetition when needed. The tour is live, so the experience is not identical with every guide. Still, the subject is focused enough that a good guide can make the short explanation feel substantial.

Watching 6,500 kilos ring at midday

Next, you go to level five, where Anzac Bell Tour customers have access to an exclusive viewing area. From here, you watch the Anzac Bell ring at exactly midday.

The bell rings for one minute. That may sound brief, but a minute beside a bell of this size is enough time to take in the sound and the movement. The fixed timing also gives the tour a clear shape: you learn what the bell means, move into position, and then see the main event.

This is the part that makes the premium tour different from simply entering the Bell Tower. You are not relying on luck to be in the right place at noon. The guide leads you to a reserved area and explains what you are about to see.

The viewing area is exclusive to this tour, but the information provided does not specify its exact size or sightlines. If you care most about photographs, ask staff where they recommend standing. The ringing itself is the key reward, not a long photo session.

The observation deck and Perth views

The tour finishes on level six at the Bell Tower’s observation deck. Here you get 360-degree views across the Swan River and Perth City.

This is a good final stop because it shifts the focus from sound and history to place. After spending the first part of the tour inside the tower, you can see how the building sits within Perth and the riverfront. The deck also gives you time to look around without the pressure of the scheduled bell ringing.

The view is a strong part of the ticket’s value, especially if you are new to Perth and want to get your bearings from above. It is not a substitute for a full city sightseeing tour, but it gives you a clear high viewpoint in a compact visit.

The tour also includes a guide playing a World War I tune on the coin-operated carillon. This small detail connects the final stop back to the Anzac theme. The carillon is coin-operated, but the tour includes the guide’s musical demonstration as part of the experience.

You can continue exploring the Bell Tower after the guided tour because the ticket includes all-day entry. That matters. The guided portion is only 45 minutes, but you do not have to leave as soon as it ends.

The certificate and Anzac medallion

At the end, you receive a bell-chiming certificate and an exclusive Anzac medallion. The medallion can be engraved for free at the Perth Mint afterward.

These keepsakes add real value for families and anyone who likes a physical reminder of a visit. The certificate is especially suited to children, while the medallion has a more lasting feel. The free engraving option also gives you a reason to connect the Bell Tower visit with another Perth stop.

You should note the wording carefully: the medallion can be engraved at the Perth Mint, not necessarily at the Bell Tower during the tour. The supplied details do not state how long the engraving takes or whether you need an appointment, so check with the Perth Mint if that part is important to your plans.

How much value do you get for $29?

At $29 per person, this tour costs more than a basic admission-only visit, but it includes several extras that change the calculation. You receive the guided bell-chiming session, the Anzac Bell presentation, access to the reserved level-five viewing area, the noon ringing, all-day entry, the observation deck, a certificate, and a medallion.

The strongest value comes from the scheduled access. The Anzac Bell rings at a precise time, and the tour places you in the right area to see it. You also get to handle part of the experience by chiming the ancient bells yourself.

I would consider the price fair if you care about history, interactive activities, or meaningful souvenirs. It is less compelling if you only want a quick look at Perth from above. In that case, the guided Anzac elements may feel like more than you need.

The excellent overall score of 4.9 from 31 ratings fits the tour’s structure: it packs several distinct activities into a short visit. Still, the 45-minute duration means you should judge the ticket as a focused experience with extra access, not as a full afternoon attraction by itself.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

This tour is a good choice for:

• First-time visitors to Perth who want city and river views alongside a local story.
• Families looking for something children can take part in, rather than only watch.
• History-minded visitors interested in the Anzac legend and World War I connections.
• Solo visitors who want a guide to help with photographs and explain the setting.
• Anyone who likes souvenirs such as a certificate and engraved medallion.
• Visitors with limited time who want a compact, well-structured Bell Tower visit.

It may be less suitable if you dislike fixed schedules or prefer to explore completely on your own. The noon ringing is central to the tour, so you must work around the start time offered on your chosen day.

The Bell Tower is wheelchair accessible. You can explore using stairs or an elevator, which gives you flexibility in moving between the levels. The tour is conducted in English, and no other language option is listed.

Practical tips for a better visit

Arrive with the noon schedule in mind. The Bell Tower tour itself lasts 45 minutes, but the Anzac Bell rings at exactly midday, so check the available starting time before booking.

Ask your guide questions during the history section. The tour is short, and the explanation is where you learn why the bell matters. If you are concerned about hearing clearly, stand near the guide, particularly if the group is larger.

Bring a phone or camera for the ringing chamber, observation deck, and bell presentation. You may also want to ask the guide to take a photograph or short video while you chime the bells. That was done helpfully for one solo participant and is worth requesting politely.

Keep the rest of the day flexible if you want full value from the ticket. Since entry lasts all day, you can return to areas you did not have time to study during the guided portion.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Perth plans are still changing, but the fixed noon ringing remains the main scheduling issue.

Should you book the Premium Anzac Bell Tour?

Book it if you want more than a lookout. The chance to chime ancient bells, learn why the Anzac Bell matters, watch 6,500 kilos of bronze ring at noon, and leave with a certificate and medallion gives this short tour plenty of substance.

I would especially recommend it to families, first-time visitors, and anyone drawn to Australian wartime history. Jeff’s patient style sounds ideal for visitors who want questions answered and photographs taken, while the main caution is to stay close enough to hear clearly if your guide has a softer voice, as was noted with Tony.

Skip it if your only goal is a quick panorama or if the noon schedule does not fit your day. For $29, the tour is good value when you use the interactive access and all-day entry. It is not simply a ticket to a high viewpoint. It is a compact introduction to Perth’s bells, the Anzac story, and the city beyond the tower.

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 after the tour.

What time does the Anzac Bell ring?

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

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 in 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 the 360-degree observation deck.

Is the Bell Tower wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The Bell Tower is wheelchair accessible, and you can use either the stairs or an elevator to explore the building.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve the tour and pay later.