Perth: The Premium Anzac Bell Tour at the Bell Tower

The best part of this 45-minute Bell Tower visit is that you do not just look at the bells. You ring the ancient bells yourself, then watch the enormous 6,500-kilo Anzac Bell sound for one full minute at exactly midday. It turns a quick stop at Perth’s landmark tower into something you take part in.

I like the small-group feel and the useful keepsakes: a chiming certificate and Anzac medallion, with free engraving available later at the Perth Mint. I also like the final stop on the observation deck, where you get 360-degree views over the Swan River and Perth.

The main consideration is timing. The tour is built around the noon ringing, so you need to choose a start time that works with that fixed moment. One guide, Tony, was difficult to hear at times, although guides such as Jeff have been praised for patience, clear explanations, and taking photos and video.

Key points to know before booking

• Chime the ancient bells yourself: This is an interactive visit, not simply a viewing tour.
• Watch the 6,500-kilo Anzac Bell at noon: The bell rings for one minute from an exclusive viewing area on level 5.
• Learn the Anzac story: The guide explains the meaning behind the bell and its connection to the Anzac legend.
• Take home a certificate and medallion: You receive both, and the medallion can be engraved free at the Perth Mint.
• Finish with Swan River views: The level 6 observation deck gives you a 360-degree look over Perth.
• Allow time to explore afterward: Your ticket includes all-day entry to the Bell Tower, not just the 45-minute guided portion.

Why the Bell Tower visit is more than a photo stop

Perth’s Bell Tower can be appreciated from outside in a few minutes, but the Premium Anzac Bell Tour gives you a reason to go inside. The difference is participation. You handle the bell ropes during a chiming demonstration, hear the story behind the Anzac Bell, and see the main bell ring from a reserved viewing area.

At $29 per person, this costs more than a basic look around a city landmark, but the price includes all-day entry, the guided experience, the certificate, the medallion, and access to the observation deck. I see the value most clearly if you enjoy history, working machinery, or unusual city experiences. The tour is also a good choice if you want a souvenir with a direct connection to the place, rather than another generic Perth gift.

The visit lasts 45 minutes, so it will not take over your day. You return to the Bell Tower at the end, and you can continue looking around on your own if you still have questions or want more time with the views.

Starting at the Bell Tower entrance

You begin at the Bell Tower in Perth. Show your ticket at the entrance and collect the token used for the tour. A staff member then leads you to level 1, where the guided part begins.

There is no transport included, so you need to make your own way to the tower. This is worth noting when planning your morning, especially because the noon bell is the fixed centre of the experience. Check the available start times before booking and leave enough time to reach the entrance without rushing.

The tower can be explored by stairs or elevator. That gives you some flexibility, although the tour route moves through several levels, from level 1 to level 5 and then level 6. The experience is wheelchair accessible, and you can ask the staff about using the elevator if needed.

Chiming the ancient bells on level 1

The first proper stop is the ringing chamber on level 1. Here, you step behind the scenes and take part in an interactive chiming demonstration with the guide.

This is the part that gives the tour its character. You are not simply watching a guide point at old bells behind glass. You get to chime them, hear how they sound, and see how the ringing chamber works. The activity is short, but it provides a clear sense of the physical side of bell ringing.

The quality of this section depends partly on the guide. Jeff has been praised for explaining the process carefully, answering questions, waiting patiently while people take their turn, and helping with photos and video. That is useful if you want a record of yourself ringing the bells. The tour is more personal when the guide gives each person time instead of rushing everyone through.

The chamber may be the most engaging part for children and for anyone who likes hands-on experiences. It also helps you appreciate the scale of the Anzac Bell later. After handling the smaller or older bells, you have a better sense of why the main bell requires its own special presentation.

The Anzac Bell story and its meaning

After the chiming demonstration, the guide explains the Anzac Bell and the meaning attached to it. The focus is not just on weight or engineering. You learn about the Anzac legend and why this particular bell carries symbolic importance.

That context matters because the noon ringing would otherwise be a loud and impressive event without much background. The explanation gives the sound a purpose. It links the bell to remembrance and to the Anzac story, making the main presentation more meaningful than a simple mechanical demonstration.

The tour is conducted in English. If clear spoken explanation matters to you, stay close enough to the guide to hear comfortably. One guide, Tony, was described as very well informed but hard to hear at times. That appears to be a speaking-volume issue rather than a lack of information, but it is a fair consideration in a bell tower where the surroundings may already be noisy.

Watching the 6,500-kilo bell ring at noon

The guide takes you to level 5, where Premium Anzac Bell Tour customers have access to an exclusive viewing area. From here, you watch the 6,500-kilo Anzac Bell ring at exactly midday for one minute.

This is the fixed highlight of the tour, so the schedule matters. You are not watching a bell ring whenever the group happens to arrive. The experience is planned around the noon strike, which gives the visit a sense of occasion but leaves less freedom if your day is tightly timed.

The bell’s size is hard to grasp from a number alone. Seeing it ring gives that figure meaning. One minute is long enough to feel substantial, yet brief enough that you will want to pay attention rather than spend the whole time taking photos. The sound is the point, so keep your phone ready before the ringing begins if you want a recording.

A few tour descriptions call this the premium part of the experience, and that is fair. You are paying for a closer and more focused presentation of the Anzac Bell than you would get from simply entering the tower. The exclusive viewing area also helps separate this moment from the general visit.

Level 6 and Perth’s wide city views

The final guided stop is the observation deck on level 6. It offers 360-degree views across Perth and the Swan River, and this is where the tour shifts from history and machinery to the city itself.

I like this ending because it gives you time to reset after the bell ringing. The deck makes the Bell Tower feel connected to Perth rather than isolated as an indoor attraction. You can look across the city and river, then understand the tower’s position in the centre of the city more clearly.

The guide also plays a World War I tune on the coin-operated carillon. This is a small detail, but it fits the tone of the visit and adds another musical moment after the Anzac Bell. The carillon is coin-operated, so listen for the guide’s playing rather than assuming every musical feature is included automatically.

Views can be affected by weather and light, of course, but the observation deck is still a worthwhile part of the ticket. If you are already planning to see Perth from above, this gives you an additional reason to visit the tower.

The certificate, medallion, and free engraving

At the end of the guided portion, you receive a bell chiming certificate and an exclusive Anzac medallion. These are included in the ticket, not extras you need to purchase at the tower.

The medallion can be engraved for free at the Perth Mint afterward. That makes it more personal, but it adds another stop to your day. You need to visit the Perth Mint yourself if you want the engraving, so do not expect it to happen during the 45-minute Bell Tower tour.

The certificate and medallion are especially useful for families, collectors, or anyone who likes a physical reminder of a short activity. The keepsakes also help justify the premium price for people who would otherwise be satisfied with the tower views alone. If you prefer to travel light and rarely keep souvenirs, their value will be more limited.

What the $29 price really buys you

At $29 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Bell Tower. The question is not simply if the tower is worth $29. The better question is how much you value the guided access and the timed Anzac Bell presentation.

Your ticket includes:

• A 45-minute guided Premium Anzac Bell Tour
• All-day entry to the Bell Tower
• The ancient bell chiming demonstration
• The noon viewing of the 6,500-kilo Anzac Bell
• A bell chiming certificate
• An exclusive Anzac medallion
• Access to the 360-degree observation deck

That package makes reasonable sense if you have an interest in the Anzac story or want a small, structured activity in Perth. It is also good value if you intend to stay after the tour and explore the tower further. If you only want a quick view from the top and have no interest in the bell story, the premium tour may feel like more than you need.

The fixed noon schedule is both a strength and a limitation. It creates the main event, but it means you must organise your day around it. I would choose this tour on a day when your Perth plans are flexible rather than trying to squeeze it between tightly timed bookings.

Guide quality and the small-group advantage

The experience includes a live English-speaking guide. The guide’s role is important because the tour combines history, instructions, timing, and practical help with the bell ringing.

Jeff received especially strong praise for being thorough, patient, and willing to take pictures and video. One booking even had only one person on the tour, which shows that group size can sometimes be very small. You should not assume you will have a private tour, but a small group gives you more room to ask questions and take your turn at the bells.

Tony was described as having plenty of information but a voice that could be difficult to hear. That is worth keeping in mind if you have hearing concerns. The tour is still built around direct explanation, so staying close to the guide should help.

Overall, the guide can make the difference between a pleasant 45-minute visit and a memorable one. The strongest part of the experience is not just the machinery. It is having someone explain what you are hearing and why the Anzac Bell matters.

Who should book this Bell Tower tour?

I would recommend it to you if you like compact experiences with a clear beginning, middle, and end. In less than an hour, you ring bells, hear a historical explanation, watch the main bell at noon, see Perth from above, and collect two keepsakes.

It suits families because the chiming demonstration gives younger visitors something active to do. It also suits couples, solo visitors, and history-minded people who want more substance than a standard observation stop. The certificate and medallion make it a nice choice for a commemorative visit.

You may want to skip it if you cannot reach the Bell Tower in time for the noon ringing, dislike scheduled activities, or only want an inexpensive viewpoint. The experience is focused on the bell presentation, so its value drops if you cannot enjoy that central moment.

Cancellation is flexible if you cancel at least 24 hours ahead, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options help if your Perth plans are still changing.

Should you book the Premium Anzac Bell Tour?

Book this tour if you want to hear the Bell Tower as well as see it. The hands-on bell ringing, the one-minute noon sound of the 6,500-kilo Anzac Bell, and the story behind it give the visit a clear purpose.

I would be comfortable recommending it at $29, especially if you plan to use the all-day entry and enjoy the observation deck afterward. Check the start time carefully, allow for the fixed midday event, and consider visiting the Perth Mint later if you want the free medallion engraving. If you value quiet flexibility more than guided access, visit the Bell Tower on your own instead.

FAQ

How long does the Premium Anzac Bell Tour last?

The guided tour lasts 45 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $29 per person.

What time does the Anzac Bell ring?

The 6,500-kilo Anzac Bell rings at exactly midday 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.

What is included with the ticket?

The ticket includes all-day entry to the Bell Tower, the guided tour, a bell chiming certificate, an exclusive Anzac medallion, and access to the 360-degree observation deck.

Can I have the Anzac medallion engraved?

Yes. The medallion can be engraved for free at the Perth Mint afterward.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The activity is wheelchair accessible, and you can explore the Bell Tower using stairs or an elevator.