For many people this is the high point of their day at the Kings Park Botanical Gardens.  Towering 15 metres skywards, the staircase is a 202 step (return trip) adventure above the tree tops.  Many readers will have no doubt noticed the whole thing resembles the double helix of deoxyribonucliec acid.  Hence it was named the DNA Tower.   In reality, the design was inspired by a double staircase in a Chateau at Blois in France, that just happened to also look like the DNA double helix molecule.

Constructed in 1966, the staircase provides climbers with a spectacular (See Disclaimer) view over Kings Park.  It is even possible to see Rottnest Island, though may I suggest you'll get a much better perspective from a boat.  

The Deoxyribonucliec Acid Tower.

Being a double spiral staircase you can take a different path back to the ground.  Small children soon work out it is possible to race your mates up the double spiral, so always be on the lookout for sprinters.  Perth seems to have a fascination with staircases.  For a slightly more purposeful staircase, check our article on Jacob's Ladder.

What do you put on the top of a staircase to nowhere?  A small drinks table of course.

PERTH ALERT:   If heights aren't your thing, then you might find the whole experience rather daunting.   You will pass three mini viewing decks, before reaching the top, so there are many opportunities to chicken out.  The whole structure shakes a bit when people climb up it, though this all adds to the fun.

"Look son! You can see where I
parked our hire car"

To incorporate something uniquely Australian into the design, the paving and wall surrounding the staircase, is made of stones gathered from all the far flung corners of Western Australia.  We thought you would like to know that.  So what are you waiting for?  Come on down to Perth, and can get on top of the DNA Tower.

For those technically minded, the stones were sourced from 11 towns and 80 different shires within Western Australia.