Perth City - River Foreshore

This area is on the Swan River, south of The Esplanade area and within the City of Perth. It is not a locality in its own right, merely a term to describe the Swan River frontage around Barrack Square, parts of Riverside Drive which hugs the river, and the green areas between here and The Esplanade. This page focuses on Barrack Square and the river jetties and the boat berths and businesses. The foreshore is currently undergoing major Elizabeth Quay works

Perth - Swan Bells

Commissioned by the Richard Court Government around the turn of the century, a bit scorned at the time, but now an accepted feature of Perth, are the Swan Bells. Most of the bells came from St Martin-In-The-Fields in the London, a bicentenary gift to the State of W.A. The bells remained in storage for about 10 years until this tower was built and the bells were commissioned. March 2008. Photos Ref: PFOR001

Perth - Swan Bells

The Bell Tower at the Barrack Street jetty complex viewed from the park across Riverside Drive. The tower is open to the public and for a small fee you can climb up to the viewing platforms. March 2008. Photos Ref: PFOR002

Perth - Swan Bells

Marching up the steps inside the Bell Tower. You can glimpse Barrack Street through the windows, running off to the north. June 2012. Photos Ref: PFOR003

Perth - Swan Bells

On one level in the Bell Tower is this old bell. The bell was cast over 450 years ago, in the year approx 1550, and is therefore the oldest bell in Australia. It came from the parish church at Upton Grey, Hampshire, England. June 2012. Photos Ref: PFOR004

Perth - Tourist Bus

This little boy is waiting to hop on that red double-decker bus and take a trip around Perth. March 2008. Photos Ref: PFOR005

Perth - Tourist Buses

A red double-decker bus (minus the roof) awaits passengers for a trip around the Perth City, Northbridge and Burswood. You can see a Burswood 'tram' parked behind it. There are 2 double-decker buses operated by this business. Apparently these buses originated in Hong Kong and were shipped to Melbourne then driven to Perth - a journey that took weeks. March 2008. Photos Ref: PFOR006

Perth - Jetty Shops

Shops, restaurants, & tourist operators line the Barrack Street jetty complex. March 2008. Photos Ref: PFOR007

Perth - Foreshore City View

A view of Perth City from down at the foreshore. March 2008. Photos Ref: PFOR008

Perth - City View from Bell Tower

Here is a look at the city taken in 2012, from up in the Bell Tower looking across the Esplanade at the time of the start of waterfront redevelopment. It will be interesting to see how this looks in another year or so. Gone is the Pyramid but the Colonnade is being retained. June 2012. Photos Ref: PFOR009

Perth - City View from Bell Tower

Another city view of Perth from up in the Bell Tower. You can see the black fence marking the boundary of the redevelopment. June 2012. Photos Ref: PFOR010

Perth - Barrack Street from Bell Tower

From the upper reaches of the Bell Tower, here is a glimpse north along Barrack Street. June 2012. Photos Ref: PFOR011

Perth - Supreme Court from Bell Tower

The Supreme Court viewed through palm trees from the Bell Tower. June 2012. Photos Ref: PFOR012

Perth - Lucky Shag Bar

Looking down on the Lucky Shag Bar, with a drizzly South Perth skyline across the grey Swan River, on a rainy Saturday afternoon. June 2012. Photos Ref: PFOR013

Perth - West Australian Rowing Club Inc

The West Australian Rowing Club Inc. building featuring Sassy's On The Swan restaurant. This wooden building protruding onto the river was established in 1868. It is located a little east of the main Jetty area and faces Riverside Drive. June 2012. Photos Ref: PFOR014

Perth - Boardwalk

Shops in the jetty area, the rears of which back onto the river. Here is Perth Sightseeing Centre, Australia by Design and Boardwalk Souvenirs. June 2012. Photos Ref: PFOR015

Perth - Jetty Shops

Shops in the jetty area again. In the foreground is Old Perth Port, a soft drink and ice cream shop whose front is actually at the rear, on the river side. To the left is the Shun Fung restaurant. June 2012. Photos Ref: PFOR016

Perth - Beach on River

Probably one of a very few remaining sandy beaches on the Perth area of the Swan River. The rest of the river line is behind barricades built to prevent road flooding and to retain the river line. Even so, on stormy days, the river waves can swell over onto Riverside Drive. This view looks east from a river point level south of Esplanade railway station. June 2012. Photos Ref: PFOR017 (Since redeveloped for Elizabeth Quay project)

Perth - Beach on River

Looking from around the jetty area westwards, here is our little sandy beach again. To the right of the photo is a rather large monolith which is the only large building to be built in Perth for well over a decade - probably longer. June 2012. Photos Ref: PFOR018 (Since redeveloped for Elizabeth Quay project)

Perth - Riverside Drive

A view east along Riverside Drive taking in the river line and some buildings in the East Perth area. June 2012. Photos Ref: PFOR019

Perth - Riverside Drive

Another look east along Riverside Drive, this time from up near the Convention Centre back towards to Barrack Street Jetty area. You can see the Swan Bells tower. June 2012. Photos Ref: PFOR020 (Since removed for Elizabeth Quay project)

Perth - City View

Sitting on the ferry waiting to cross to South Perth. The is the view looking back towards the city. We came down to see how Elizabeth Quay was coming along but it's still just piles of sand and holes in the ground. Will return this time next year for another update. March 2014. Photos Ref: PFOR021

Perth - Ferris Wheel

Here is a new addition (in 2009, anyway) to the Perth foreshore. At the time of this photo it's still under construction. Apparently it's going to be a permanent resident. When in South Perth after dark, the wheel really adds to the city view. January 2009. Photos Ref: PFOR022 (Since removed)

Perth - Ferris Wheel

A dizzy shot of the wheel. A note a few years later: The Ferris Wheel has gone due to planned redevelopment of this land. September 2009. Photos Ref: PFOR023 (Since removed)

Perth - Ferris Wheel

This is where you get on and off the wheel. Price now is $15 for adults and $10 for kids. For that the wheel goes around about 6 times. September 2009. Photos Ref: PFOR024 (Since removed)

Perth - Elizabeth Quay View

Here is how the Elizabeth Quay project is shaping up. This series of photos were taken from the viewing platform in the Bell Tower. This is looking east. The quay inlet has been formed and you can see the channel bridge. October 2015. Photos Ref: PFOR025

Perth - Elizabeth Quay View

The Florence Hummerston kiosk which once stood on the corner of The Esplanade and Barrack Street has been re-erected here. Visible are also the metallic arches of a pedestrian suspension bridge. In the background is Mounts Bay Road. October 2015. Photos Ref: PFOR026

Perth - Elizabeth Quay View

A view looking east from the Bell Tower which also takes in one of the existing jetty buildings. In the background is the Narrows Bridge. October 2015. Photos Ref: PFOR027

Perth - Elizabeth Quay View

Looking across the Elizabeth Quay inlet across to the Convention Centre and the Esplanade railway station. October 2015. Photos Ref: PFOR028

Perth - Elizabeth Quay View

The head of the Quay inlet can be seen here. The Ernst Young building is in the background as is the Esplanade railway station and buildings lining The Esplanade. October 2015. Photos Ref: PFOR029

Perth - Elizabeth Quay View

The head of the Quay again and the Perth City skyline. It all will be pretty good when it's finished. October 2015. Photos Ref: PFOR030

Perth - Elizabeth Quay View

This structure and its complimentary opposite are being built just to the south of the Bell Tower. October 2015. Photos Ref: PFOR031

Perth - Elizabeth Quay

The Quay is finally open. Here is a view looking back towards the city. Mixed public views about it. Lots of paved area and not really much of riveting interest. In fact it seems rather sterile but then it's early days yet. Accommodation towers, shops and restaurants are yet to be built. So this is only the framework so far. January 2016. Photos Ref: PFOR032

Perth - Elizabeth Quay

The bridge crossing the entrance to the Quay. This view captures the angles of the arches. Over the bridge is the re-constructed Florence Hummerston building. I'm still puzzled as to why it was moved here. It must have cost a fortune. January 2016. Photos Ref: PFOR033

Perth - Elizabeth Quay

Looking back towards the city. On the left of picture, that building on the water with the dark blue roof is the new South Perth ferry terminal. It was due to start operating a day or two after this picture was taken. It has been reported that the New Esplanade Hotel site is to be re-developed. January 2016. Photos Ref: PFOR034

Perth - Elizabeth Quay

My, my, three years on from the aboves and just look at these buildings on the eastern side of Elizabeth Quay which have sprung up. You can see the Bell Tower between. This place is starting to grow up. The left is the Ritz Carlton and the right looks like apartments. June 2019. Photos Ref: PFOR035

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