DNA Tower (King's Park)

The King's Park DNA Tower is a structure in Perth, Western Australia.[1]

History

It was built in 1966 by the Gradisen family, a Dutch migrant family who had migrated to Australia in 1951.[2] The person responsible for it being built was the park's director at the time, John Beard,[3][4] who was also responsible for setting up the park's botanic gardens.[1] The double-helix design was decided upon for pragmatic reasons, for the convenience it provided for people to climb and descend the staircase.[1]

It is built on the highest point of Kings Park on Mount Eliza,[1] and is a white 15-metre-high (49 ft) double helix staircase with 101 steps. It was inspired by a double staircase in the Château de Blois in France.[5] Its design resembles the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecule. The paving below the DNA Tower is made with stones sent from 11 towns and 80 shires in Western Australia.[1]

The tower was briefly closed in 2021 due to corrosion but was refurbished and repainted in 2021.[1][6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wynne (2021).
  2. ^ Budihardjo (2021).
  3. ^ Johansen (2021).
  4. ^ Tourism Western Australia (2025).
  5. ^ Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority (2025).
  6. ^ Dulux (2021).

Sources

  • "DNA Tower". Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority. Government of Western Australia. 2025. Retrieved 26 November 2025.
  • Budihardjo, Nadia (3 June 2021). "The Gradisens: Family behind Perth's DNA tower celebrate 70th anniversary of arrival". Stirling Times. Perth Now. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2025.
  • "Major refresh for Perth's Iconic DNA Tower". Dulux Protective Coatings. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2025.
  • Johansen, Mogens (20 November 2021). "DNA Tower in Kings Park reopens after first full refurbishment in 50 years". The West Australian. Retrieved 26 November 2025.
  • "DNA Tower Climb". Tourism Western Australia. 2025. Retrieved 26 November 2025.
  • Wynne, Emma (18 July 2021). "Kings Park's much-loved DNA tower to reopen after refresh". ABC News. Retrieved 26 November 2025.

31°57′51.3″S 115°50′10.4″E / 31.964250°S 115.836222°E / -31.964250; 115.836222

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