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.
Although the territory was claimed on behalf of Britain, explorers from nations including Holland and France had been visiting the Western Australian coastline since the early 1600s and the land had been populated by indigenous people for approximately 50,000 years.
In the 1890s, Western Australia gained its first constitution and its first Premier, Sir John Forrest. The discovery of gold prompted incredible growth, with many major public works undertaken and the population swelling. In 1901, Federation saw Western Australia transform from an independent colony to a state of the Commonwealth of Australia, with the City of Perth gaining increased importance as the capital of the new state.
The population of Perth changed in size and character as immigration after World War II brought new cultures and traditions to the city. A major phase of development spurred on by the mineral boom of the 1960s and 1970s, saw skyscrapers built and the city take on a more modern character.
Today the City of Perth continues its evolution into one of Australia's most distinctive and welcoming cities with a friendly, multicultural population. Ideally positioned as a business and tourism gateway for the world, yet protected by enough distance to retain its unique appeal.
