Kennedy's Fountain Spring

## Overview Kennedy's Fountain Spring is a historic public drinking spring located at the base of Kings Park along Mounts Bay Road in Perth, Western Australia. Situated at the foot of one of the city's most iconic green spaces, this ancient spring has long served as a natural water source in the heart of Perth's urban landscape. Kings Park and its surroundings sit atop and around the Mount Eliza escarpment, an area of deep cultural significance to the Whadjuk Noongar people, who have inhabited the Perth region for tens of thousands of years. Natural springs along the base of this escarpment were vital freshwater sources for Aboriginal communities long before European settlement. The spring's name, Kennedy's Fountain, suggests a historical association with a notable local figure, though the precise origins of the name remain part of Perth's layered colonial-era history. The GPS coordinates place the spring at approximately -31.9628°S, 115.8429°E, right along the Mounts Bay Road corridor between the Swan River foreshore and the steep, bush-covered slopes of Kings Park. ## Directions 1. From the Perth CBD, head west along St Georges Terrace, which becomes Mounts Bay Road as it curves along the southern edge of Kings Park. 2. Follow Mounts Bay Road as it runs parallel to the Swan River, keeping Kings Park on your right (north side). 3. Look for the spring at the base of the Kings Park escarpment along the northern side of Mounts Bay Road, near the GPS coordinates (-31.9628, 115.8429). 4. Street parking may be available along Mounts Bay Road, and there are several car parks in the Kings Park precinct nearby. *Note: The exact access point can be easy to miss from a moving vehicle. Using the GPS coordinates with a navigation app is recommended.* ## What to Expect Kennedy's Fountain Spring sits in an urban setting at the base of the Kings Park escarpment, one of the largest inner-city parks in the world. The spring emerges at the foot of the steep, heavily vegetated hillside that rises up to the main Kings Park plateau above. As a designated public drinking spring, the site has historically been used as a freshwater source by locals and visitors. However, water quality can vary over time, and the spring's condition may be affected by urban runoff and seasonal changes. Visitors have historically regarded the water as drinkable, but current conditions should be assessed on-site. The surrounding area offers easy access to the Kings Park Botanic Garden, the DNA Tower, and numerous walking trails along the escarpment. The Swan River foreshore and its cycling and walking paths are just across Mounts Bay Road, making this an interesting stop for anyone exploring Perth's waterfront or parklands on foot or by bike. The spring is accessible year-round, though flow may vary with seasonal rainfall. Perth's Mediterranean climate means winters (June–August) bring the most rain, which may increase spring output, while the dry summers (December–February) could see reduced flow.