The DNA Tower is a structure in Kings Park, Perth, Western Australia.
History The DNA Tower was built in 1966 by the Gradisen family, a Dutch migrant family who had migrated to Australia in 1951. The person responsible for it being built was the park's director at the time, John Beard, who was also responsible for setting up the park's botanic gardens. The double-helix design was decided upon for pragmatic reasons, for the convenience it provided for people to climb and descend the staircase.
It is built on the highest point of Kings Park on Mount Eliza, and is a white double helix staircase with 101 steps. It was inspired by a double staircase in the Château de Blois in France. Its design resembles the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecule. The paving below the DNA Tower is made with stones sent from 11 towns and 80 shires in Western Australia.
The tower was briefly closed due to corrosion before being refurbished and repainted in 2021.
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