Perth - Western Australia capital

Perth - Western Australia capital overview

Perth geographic(al) coordinates: 31*56'S/115*58'E
Perth population 1,090,013 (2004)

The City of Perth is the capital city of Western Australia, the nation's largest state. Most of Western Australia's 1.8 million people live in the greater metropolitan area of Perth, of which the City of Perth forms the nucleus.

Fremantle is Perth's port. Perth is a communications and transportation center and the state's financial, commercial, and cultural hub. The suburbs of Fremantle, Kwinana, and Welshpool have heavy industries.

Perth is very isolated; Adelaide, the closest major city, is nearly 2,000 mi (3,219 km) away. Having celebrated the 176th anniversary of its foundation, the City of Perth continues its evolution into one of Australia's most distinctive and welcoming cities. The City of Perth is divided into five distinct precincts, each with its own distinctive character and in easy reach of the city centre.

Perth - Western Australia capital history

Captain James Stirling founded the City of Perth as part of the Swan River Colony in 1829. Stirling thought the natural environment around Perth was "as beautiful as anything of this kind I had ever witnessed" and advocated that a colony be established there.

The British Government agreed to found the colony as the first free settlement in Australia, and the first settlers arrived in Western Australia in June 1829. On August 12 of that year, the felling of a tree marked the official foundation of the City of Perth.

Perth did not gain importance until the Coolgardie gold rush (1890s), the development of the port at Fremantle, and the construction of rail lines (early 20th cent.). Perth evolved into a modern metropolis in the late 20th cent. and saw much new construction.

Perth - Western Australia capital main attractions

The Univ. of Western Australia and Murdoch Univ. are there. It is also the seat of Roman Catholic and Anglican archbishops.

Perth has an extensive range of shops, restaurants, accommodation, cinemas, and other entertainment opportunities. There is Kings Park and Gardens, offering residents and visitors alike a scenic wander through 400 hectares of beautiful landscape and a breath-taking view over Perth. Running through the city is the Swan River, adding to the number of water based and outdoor activities that are available.

Artists in Residence is a gallery displaying and selling authentic Aboriginal art. See how coins are made, witness a gold pour and mint a coin or medallion at the Perth Mint on Hay Street. The Art Gallery of Western Australia at the Perth Cultural Centre displays a large collection of Aboriginal art, Australian and international paintings, sculptures, crafts, decorative arts, prints and drawings.

Easily accessible by public transport, Perth's surfing beaches rank among the best in the world. City Beach, Cottesloe, Floreat, Swanbourne (naturist), Scarborough, and Sorrento are popular. If surf is not your style, safe calm beaches on the Swan River include Como, Crawley and Point Walter.