Since before European settlement and exploration Mount Eliza has been known as Mooro Katta[7] and Kaarta Gar-up, the Aboriginal names given[8] by the Noongar people.

The Lieutenant Governor of the Swan River Colony, James Stirling, chose the townsite of Perth for this reason – the only local spring.

[11] The Colony's first Surveyor General, John Septimus Roe, recognised the qualities of the area and tried to protect it, by identifying the land to be set aside for public purposes.

[11] Logging in the area continued until 1871 when Roe's successor Malcolm Fraser persuaded the then Governor Weld to set aside 175 hectares (432 acres) as public reserve.

[11]: Introduction  This was to mark the ascension to the British throne of King Edward VII and the visit to Perth of George, the Duke of Cornwall and Princess Mary.

[11] The Mount Eliza reservoir provided water to the local area, and still remains, but by arrangement of the lease was partly diverted for use in the park itself.

The Elizabeth Quay redevelopment plans include a cable car to Kings Park, although construction is not in scope for the initial phase.

[14][needs update] The State War Memorial Precinct is located on Mount Eliza overlooking Perth Water.

[16] The Cenotaph was unveiled in the year of the centenary of Western Australia, on 24 November 1929 by the Governor William Campion, and had as the honorary architect General J. Talbot Hobbs.

[7] Originally proposed by Arthur Lovekin, owner of the Daily News, the idea was based on the Avenue of Honour in Ballarat, Victoria.

In 1920, Lovekin and board member William Loton each donated £A 500, in total equivalent to A$78,608 in 2022, to clear and plant Forrest Avenue with sugar gums.

[23] In 1938 lemon scented gum trees (Corymbia citriodora) were planted to honour the dignitaries and members of the centenary organising committee.

It was established to showcase the flora of Western Australia to those visiting Perth for the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, although the official opening did not take place until 4 October 1965.

[15] Beginning in 1965, the Kings Park Festival has grown to a month-long celebration of floral displays, live music, exhibitions, workshops, interpretive artworks, guided walks and family activities throughout September.

This popular playground for young families is specifically targeted for children aged under five to encourage strong early childhood development.

A loop in the trail then leads to the Lotterywest Federation Walkway and back to the start of Law Walk, taking visitors approximately 45 minutes to complete.

The Kokoda Track Memorial Walk is a tribute to the bravery of Australian troops who fought in the Papua New Guinea campaign of July 1942 to January 1943.

The Kokoda Walk begins at Kennedy Fountain on Mounts Bay Road with a steep climb of 150 steps that ascends a height of 62 metres (203 ft).

In 1922, the West Perth subbranch of the Returned Services League became responsible for the maintenance and preservation of the plaques along Kings Park's honour avenues.