Perth, Western Australia

Discovering Perth, Western Australia

Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia, situated on and around the Swan River. The area had been the traditional land of the Noongar people for thousands of years before the first European explorers arrived from the early 17th century. In 1829, Captain James Stirling founded the city as the administrative centre of Britain’s Swan River Colony, named after Perth, Scotland, due to the influence of Stirling’s patron Sir George Murray, who had connections with the area. Development was slow in the early years, but eventually picked up significantly through the use of convict labour as well as multiple mining boom in other parts of Western Australia. Today it is Australia’s fourth-most populous city, home to a wide range of historic, cultural, and natural attractions that draw millions of tourists each year.

Odyssey Traveller conducts a tour of Perth as part of our small group Wildflowers Tour of Western Australia. This tour for senior and mature travellers travelling as a group or solo allows you to explore and learn about Australia’s Golden Outback and Western Australia’s unique wildflowers. We begin and end the tour in Perth, where we conduct a half day tour of Kings Park bushland home to 1,700 unique native species and a dazzling display of wildflowers in spring, as well as enjoy leisure time to explore the city. This article explores the city’s history and key attractions to assist your Perth tour.

Aboriginal History

The original Indigenous inhabitants arrived in the area at least 38,000 years ago according to the carbon dating of ancient stone implements discovered near the Swan River. Noongar people occupied the southwest corner of Western Australia, including the area on which Perth now stands, which they called Boorloo.

Boorloo formed part of Mooro, country that stretched from the Swan River northwards beyond the limits of the current metropolitan area. This was the tribal lands of Yellagonga, whose group was one of several based around the Swan River, known collectively as the Whadjug. The Whadjug were in turn one of 13 or so linguistic blocks of the Noongar people.

The Swan River is a sacred place for the Whadjug. Their Dreamtime stories tell of two Wargal (giant water serpents) who created the river and surrounding landforms and water features and are now responsible for their maintenance.

As hunters and gatherers, the Noongar moved with the seasons, travelling inland in winter, then returning in late spring to capture game. The main sources of food were the sea, the river, and an extensive system of freshwater lakes along the coastal plains. These lakes were particularly important, providing them with both spiritual and physical sustenance. While the swamps to the north of the Swan River provided food, meeting places, shelter, and familiar hunting grounds.

From 1831, there were hostile encounters between European settlers and Noongars over land use and conflicting land value systems. The violence culminated in several executions and massacres, including the execution of Whadjug tribal chief Midgegooroo, the murder of his son Yagan and the massacre of the Pindjarep people.

Disposed from their traditional lands and with their tribes disintegrating, the Noongar people retreated to the swamps and lakes north of the Swan River, formally known by them as Boodjamooling. They would later come to be subjected to sometimes harsh and insensitive colonial rule, only recognised as people following changes in the laws during the 1960s.

European Exploration

European ships started accidentally arriving on the Western Australian coast en-route to Batavia (now Jakarta) in the early 17th century. Actual exploration of the area around present-day Perth commenced later in 1696 by the Dutch captain Willem de Vlamingh commanding three ships, the Geelvink, Nyptangh and the Wezeltje. Vlamingh anchored off Rottnest island on 29 December, giving it its name, before discovering and naming the Swan River (after the black swans he saw swimming there) on January 10 the following year.

A limestone bar and sandy shoals at the mouth of the river prevented his ships from sailing up it, so a sloop was sent out, which even so still required some dragging over the bar. They continued from here until reaching mud flats, probably close to the present-day Heirisson Island, forcing them to turn back. In all, Vlamingh was not impressed with the area.

Similar explorations followed in 1801 by the French and in 1822 by the British. But the Swan River’s sandbars, the many mud flats upstream, as well as the rough seas and dangerous reefs surrounding the Perth area all left unfavourable opinions about any potential settlement.

It was until 1827, with the exploration of Captain James Stirling, that a favourable opinion of the Swan River was expressed. In March, he spent 12 days exploring the area in his ship HMS Success, travelling as far upstream as the Ellen Brook junction. Accompanied by the botanist Charles Frasher, his report on the quality of the soil became instrumental in the decision to establish the Swan River Colony. This report would have been entirely different, however, if the party had gone far enough ashore to see that sandy soil characterised much of the land around the river.

Stirling is said to have been stunned by the beauty of the Swan River and fertile land around it. Upon his arrival back in England in July 1828, he begun to promote in glowing terms the agricultural potential of the area, proposing the establishment of a free settlement independent of the colony in New South Wales. Due to his reports, and fuelled by rumours that the French were planning on establishing their own penal colony in the western part of Australia, the British Colonial Office assented to the proposal in mid-October 1828.

Establishment of the Swan River Colony

Sent to claim the west coast of Australia for the United Kingdom, Captain Charles Freemantle landed on 2 May 1829 and declared the establishment of the Swan River Colony, with the first free settlers arriving in June that year. On August 12, the chopping down of a tree marked the official foundation of the City of Perth, the capital of the colony. This event is commemorated at this site by a plaque set in the footpath of Barrack Street.

Perth’s boundaries were defined by the Swan River to the south and east, by the promontory of Mount Eliza to the west, and by a chain of swamps and lakes to the north. The site was chosen for its access to fresh water and river transport, the availability of building materials, fine views of the Darling Scarp and the shelter offered by Mount Eliza from naval bombardment.

Perth was one of two separate townships of the colony, its role being the administrative and military hub. The other, Freemantle, was to be the port city and entry into the colony. As the fertile locations around Perth did not extend very farm from the Swan and Canning Rivers, the land was quickly settled. The most fertile locations were upstream from Perth, and so the district of Guildford was also settled in 1829.

The colony developed slowly in its first two decades. The poor and sandy soil and difficulty of clearing land to grow crops combined with a lack of investment made the progress of settling extremely difficult.

Nevertheless, over time other towns like Kelmscott and Mandurah were developed and in Perth a number of important buildings were established. The Round House, the oldest surviving building in the city was completed in 1831, providing the colony with its first prison. The Court House was opened in December 1836, doubling as a place of worship until St George’s Church was built in 1842. And in 1837 the colony’s first brewery, Swan Brewery, was established at the corner of Spring Street and Mounts Bay Road, near the base of Mount Eliza.

The Convict Era

Although the Swan River Colony as founded as a free settlement, due to the difficulties faced by the initial settlers, meagre growth, and a shortage of labour, appeals were made to Britain to send convicts to help. And so, in 1850 Perth became a penal colony., receiving an influx of over 9000 convicts over the next 16 years.

The convicts were involved in the construction of many public works that would shape the character of Perth, some remaining as historical sites until today. These were largely constructed in the Gothic style, the trend in England at the time, made of locally harvested clay bricks, mellow in colour and soft in texture. Well-known buildings constructed during this time include the Fremantle Prison, Government House, the Perth town Hall, the Cloisters, Perth Gaol, and the Swan River Mechanics’ Institute.

Perth officially gained ‘city’ status during this period, declared a Bishop’s See by Queen Victoria in 1856. Prospects of the colony were certainly improving, yet Perth’s underlying identity as a remote and rustic frontier town remained unchanged. The public architecture was still relatively small scale as befitting a new settlement. A village like atmosphere of scattered single- and two-story brick or stone residences surrounded by garden prevailed until changes came at the end of the nineteenth century.

Resource Booms & Growth of the City

It was in the later part of the nineteenth century, particularly the last two decades, that Perth city began to grow significantly for the first time. Government buildings continued to arise and shape the centre. The first Perth telegraph line from Adelaide was completed in 1877, vastly improving communications within the region. This in turn increased the growth of colonial media, such as the first weekly newspaper in Perth, The Western Mail, published from 1885. The foundation stone for the Perth railway was laid on 10 May 1880, and on 1 March 1881 the first suburban railway line opened, running from Fremantle to Guildford through Perth.

But it was the discovery of gold in the Kimberley, Murchison and Kalgoorlie regions in the 1880s and 1890s that most significantly shaped the development of Perth. The city became an important strategic base for the gold mining industry, as well as a hub for new immigrants arriving in Australia to work. In one decade (1891-1901) the population of the city tripled from just 8,447 to 27,553.

With the goldrush came economic prosperity, dramatically changed the physical nature of the city. By the beginning of the twentieth century, the city skyline was completely transformed, filled with elaborately styled multi-storey buildings, while populations spilled over into new suburbs that encircled the city.

To cope with the population growth, infrastructure, services, and facilities were expanded. In 1893, electricity generation was made available to the city of Perth, and a new railway line from Perth to Armadale was built in May to service the main agricultural regions and logging industry. In September 1899, the first electric tram services commenced, and the Perth Mint was opened later that year, still remaining an iconic site nowadays.

Perth experienced a second natural resources boom in the 1960s and ‘70s with the discovery of iron ore, nickel, petroleum, bauxite, natural gas and alumina deposits throughout the state. The wealth generated significantly transformed Perth into a modern city complete with its first skyscrapers.

The city stated hosting many large-scale events during this time, such as the British Empire and Commonwealth Games, Test Cricket matched, the Miss Universe competition, the defence of the America’s Cup, amongst others.

Rapid growth continued in the first decade of the 21st century due to another mining boon in Western Australia. As a hub for large mining operations Perth went through excessive economic development, becoming Australia’s fastest growing capital. New waves of migrants arrived to fill out gaps in the mining workforce, significant numbers arriving from the UK and South Africa, increasing the city’s population by 346,000 between 2001 and 2011. Major infrastructure projects completed during this time include the New MetroRail project, which effectively doubled the size of the Perth rail system, the Graham Farmer Freeway and Roe Highway.

Key Attractions

Perth continues to flourish today as one of Australia’s most beautiful and welcoming cities, and gateway to the wider attractions of Western Australia. Key attractions within Perth include:

King’s Park

Walking through the bushland of Kings Park, Perth, it would be easy to believe that you were in the bush, and not just five kilometres from the centre of Australia‘s fourth-biggest city. The largest inner-city park in the world, the 400-hectare Kings Park (that’s 60 hectares bigger than Central Park, New York!) is packed full of fascinating historical and natural sights, home to a diversity of native birds and flora.

Visit during September for a free festival displaying the state’s famed wildflowers, or year-round to follow the elevated Federation Walkway across a canopy of eucalyptus trees. Follow signs to see the state’s iconic trees, including karri, jarrah, native Christmas trees and pines, or spot plants from other Mediterranean climates such as South Africa and California.

Smack in the middle of the city, the park offers epic views of the Swan and Canning Rivers, Darling Ranges, Perth Water, and the city skyline. Enjoy cycling, birdwatching, and picnicking at this spot, or visit the State War Memorial, the park’s café, gift shop, Fraser’s restaurant, and the Kings Park Visitor Centre.

Swan River

The Swan River is a stunning waterway carving its way through the middle of the city. Over 130 species of fish inhabit the river, including bull sharks, catfish, rays and bream, as well as bottlenose dolphins in the estuary. Enjoy a day out boating, fishing, water-skiing, paddling, picnicking, or simply taking a walk along its banks.

Cruises along the river are also popular. Travel between Perth and the historic port of Fremantle to see the parklands along the water’s edge, as well as some of the posh houses of the riverfront suburbs. A day trip upriser to the fertile shores of the Swan Valley, Western Australia’s oldest grape-growing region, is also popular.

Cottesloe Beach

Lovers of ocean swims are spoilt for choice in Perth with 19 beautiful beaches stretching along the coastline. Less than a 15-minute drive from the city centre, Cottesloe is one of the most popular, with its turquoise water, pristine white sand, shady Norfolk pines and smooth terraced lawns.

Crystal clear waters and consistent swell make it a regular spot for swimmers, body boarders and surfers, while snorkelers are commonly found on the surrounding rocks and reefs. Out of the water, a buzzing boulevard of restaurants, cafes, and bars is the place to be seen. Enjoy breakfast or lunch during the day, or settle in for dinner and evening drinks by a sublime sunset over the Indian Ocean.

March is especially exciting as the annual Sculpture by the Sea outdoor exhibition transforms the beach into an incredible outdoor art gallery. But with a warm climate most of the year, any time really is a great time to visit Cottesloe.

The Perth Mint

Built in 1899, the Perth Mint is the oldest gold mint in the world, offering a fascinating glimpse into the history of gold in Western History. Guided tours provide insight into the discovery of gold in Western Australia and the gold rushes that ensued in the 19th and 20th century. The Mint’s Gold Exhibition’s collection includes the world’s largest gold coin, weighing a whopping one tonne and worth a staggering $60 million, as well as gold nuggets, bars, and bullion. One can also enter the melting house and watch how pure gold is melted into solid bars.

Hillarys Boat Harbour

About 20 kilometres northwest of central Perth, Hillarys Boat Harbour is an expansive marina and tourist precinct gilled with restaurants, shops, and a range of attractions. And with bike paths, walkways, parks, and sheltered beaches, it is a perfect getaway spot for families. Ferries to Rottnest Island also depart from here.

The Aquarium of Western Australia is a key highlight on the harbour, showcasing the marine life and unique regions of Western Australia’s 12,000km coastline. Walk through the glass underwater tunnel and observe more than 200 species of marine animals, including manta rays, dolphins, and sharks.

Art Gallery of Western Australia

Founded in 1895, the Art Gallery of Western Australia houses and exhibits a broad collection of both Australian and international art dating from 1829 to the present day. Located within the Perth Cultural Centre, visitors can enjoy various exciting encounters with different styles ranging across historic, modern, contemporary, Aboriginal and world-wide artforms, with a special emphasis on the artworks of the Indian Ocean Rim and Australia. Eminent artists include Arthur Boyd, Russel Drysdale, Sidney Nolan, Hans Heysen, and Frederick McCubbin, amongst others.

Tour of Perth

Odyssey Traveller visits Perth as part of our Wildflowers Tour of Western Australia. For wildflower enthusiasts this is an opportunity to see, learn, and photograph a collection of Western Australia’s unique wildflowers on a 16 day wildflower escorted tour for senior and mature travellers. Travelling in a small group of up to 15 people, you will be accompanied by a tour guide as well as a botanical guide on certain days to assist with discussion and identification of the collection of Western Australian wildflowers seen. We travel along the west coast through the wheatbelt and across the natural landscape of the golden outback plains, walk trails in the National park(s), deserts and salt lakes, and see ancient granite outcrops, wild woodland, and then some of the brightest white sand beached in the world on the South West coast.

For those interested in seeing more of Western Australia, Odyssey Traveller is pleased to announce our small group tour of the Kimberley. This tour for mature and senior travellers, couples and solo travellers, of up to 12 people leave at the best times to visit the Kimberley: the dry season, June to September, or at the end of the wet season in April and May when the landscape is lush and the gorges – Bell Gorge, Cathedral Gorge – and rivers – Gibb River, Fitzroy River, and Tunnel Creek – all flow with water. Seeing masses of water flow in a place where the landscape is dry for most of the year is one of the delights of a trip in the Australian outback.

On this small group tour of the Kimberley, we learn about the unique adaptations and management approaches that have ensured a sustainable occupation for Indigenous Australians for over 40 000 to 65 000 years. On each of our Kimberley outback tours, these stories and geological features are a crucial part of our learning and exploration of the region. The remote location of the Kimberley has given it a long history of Aboriginal civilisations to learn about, long separated from European and Asian cultures (with the exception of the Portuguese crash-landing on the Kimberley Coast during the 17th century race for spices!).

Odyssey Traveller has been serving global travellers since 1983 with educational tours of the history, culture, and architecture of our destinations designed for mature and senior travellers. We specialise in offering small group tours partnering with a local tour guide at each destination to provide a relaxed and comfortable pace and atmosphere that sets us apart from larger tour groups. Tours consist of small groups of between 6 and 12 people and are cost inclusive of all entrances, tipping and majority of meals. For more information, click here, and head to this page to make a booking.

Articles about Australia published by Odyssey Traveller:

• The Kimberley: A Definitive Guide
• Halls Creek
• Lake Argyle
• Purnululu National Park

For all the articles Odyssey Traveller has published for mature aged and senior travellers, click through on this link.

External articles to assist you on your visit to Western Australia:

• The Top 10 Best Things to Do in Perth’s Central Business District
• The Ultimate Guide to Western Australia’s Wildflowers
• Aboriginal Culture & Heritage | Destination Perth
• Popular National Parks Western Australia
• Western Australia’s Best Beaches