Perth & Suburbs

The metropolitan area is located in the south-west of the continent between the Indian Ocean and a low coastal escarpment known as the Darling Range. The central business district and suburbs of Perth are situated on the Swan River.

Shortly after the establishment of the port settlement of Fremantle, Perth was founded on 12 June 1829 by Captain James Stirling as the political centre of the free-settler Swan River Colony. As the business and administration centre for the resource rich state, Perth has grown consistently faster than the national average.

Perth became known worldwide as the "City of Light" when city residents lit their house lights and streetlights as American astronaut John Glenn passed overhead while orbiting the earth on Friendship 7 in 1962. The city repeated the act as Glenn passed overhead on the Space Shuttle in 1998. Perth is tied for eighth place in The Economist's 2010 list of the World's Most Livable Cities.

Prehistory

Before European settlement, the area had been inhabited by the Whadjuk Noongar people for over 40,000 years, as evidenced by archaeological findings on the Upper Swan River. These Aborigines occupied the southwest corner of Western Australia, living as hunter-gatherers. The lakes on the coastal plain were particularly important to them, providing both spiritual and physical sustenance.

Rottnest, Carnac and Garden Islands were also important to the Noongar. About 5,000 years ago the sea levels were low enough that they could walk to the limestone outcrops.

The area where Perth now stands was called Boorloo by the Aboriginals living there at the time of their first contact with Europeans in 1827. Boorloo formed part of Mooro, the tribal lands of the Yellagonga, one of several groups based around the Swan River and known collectively as the Whadjuk. The Whadjuk were part of a larger group of thirteen or more tribes which formed the south west socio-linguistic block known as the Noongar (The People), also sometimes called the Bibbulmun.

On 19 September 2006, the Federal Court of Australia brought down a judgment recognising Noongar native title over the Perth metropolitan area, in the case of Bennell v State of Western Australia [2006] FCA 1243. The judgement was overturned on appeal.

Early European sightings

The first documented European sighting of the region was made by the Dutch Captain Willem de Vlamingh and his crew on 10 January 1697. Subsequent sightings between this date and 1829 were made by other Europeans, but as in the case of the sighting and observations made by Vlamingh, the area was considered to be inhospitable and unsuitable for the agriculture which would be needed to sustain a settlement

The Swan River Colony

The Foundation of Perth 1829 by George Pitt Morison is an historically accurate reconstruction of the official ceremony by which Perth was founded.

The Round House built in 1830 is the oldest remaining building on mainland Western Australia

Although the British Army had established a base at King George Sound (later Albany) on the south coast of western Australia in 1826 in response to rumours that the area would be annexed by France, Perth was the first full-scale settlement by Europeans in the western third of the continent. The British colony would be officially designated Western Australia in 1832, but was known informally for many years as the Swan River Colony after the area's major watercourse.

On 4 June 1829, newly-arriving British colonists had their first view of the mainland, and Western Australia's Foundation Day has since been recognised by a public holiday on the first Monday in June each year. Captain James Stirling, aboard the Parmelia, said that Perth was "as beautiful as anything of this kind I had ever witnessed". On 12 August that year, Mrs. Helen Dance, wife of the captain of the second ship Sulphur, cut down a tree to mark the founding of the town.

It is clear that Stirling had already selected the name Perth for the capital well before the town was proclaimed, as his proclamation of the colony, read in Fremantle on 18 June 1829, ended "given under my hand and Seal at Perth this 18th Day of June 1829. James Stirling Lieutenant Governor". The only contemporary information on the source of the name comes from Fremantle's diary entry for 12 August, which records that they "named the town Perth according to the wishes of Sir George Murray". Murray was born in Perth, Scotland, and was in 1829 Secretary of State for the Colonies and Member for Perthshire in the British House of Commons. It is therefore often asserted that the town was named after the Scottish Perth, in Murray's honour.

Beginning in 1831, hostile encounters between the British settlers and the Noongar people – both large-scale land users with conflicting land value systems – increased considerably as the colony grew. This violent phase of the region's history culminated in a series of events in which the British overcame the indigenous people, including the execution of the Whadjuk elder Midgegooroo, the death of his son Yagan in 1833, and the Battle of Pinjarra in 1834.

By 1843, when Yellagonga died, his people had begun to disintegrate after having been dispossessed of the land around the main settlement area of Perth. They retreated to the swamps and lakes north of the settlement area including Third Swamp, known to them as Boodjamooling. Boodjamooling continued to be a main camp-site for the remaining Noongar people in the Perth region, and was also used by travellers, itinerants, and homeless people. By the gold-rush days of the 1890s they were joined by miners who were en-route to the goldfields.

In 1850, Western Australia was opened to convicts at the request of farming and business people looking for cheap labour. Queen Victoria announced the city status of Perth in 1856.

Alexander Heights
Alfred Cove

Alkimos
Applecross
Ardross
Armadale

Armadale Tourist Information Centre

40 Jull Street 

(08) 9497 3543

Anne Hathaway's Cottage B&B

25 Canns Road

Hillside Garden Village

270 South Western Highway

08 9399 6376

Armadale Cottage B&B

3161 Albany Highway

08 9497 1663

Ascot

Assured Ascot Quays

150 great Eastern Highway

08 9479 0000

Central Caravan Park
34 Central Avenue
08 9277 1704

Ashfield
Attadale
Atwell

Aubin Grove
Balcatta
Balga
Ballajura

Banjup

Banksia Grove

Baskerville
Bassendean
Bateman
Bayswater

The Bayswater Hotel and Motel

78-80 Railway Parade

08 9271 7111

Beaconsfield  6162

Morris B&B

13 Morris Street

08 9337 3572

Beckenham
Bedford
Bedfordale

Lakeside Country Resort

50 Canns Road

08 9399 7455

Beechboro
Beechina
Beeliar
Beldon

Belhus

Mill House Cottage

108 Corona Way

08 9297 3481

Bellevue
Belmont

Comfort Hostel
239 great Eastern Highway
1800 550200

Comfort Inn Bel Eyre
285 Great Eastern Highway
08 9277 2733

Bentley
Bertram
Bibra Lake
Bickley

Brookside Vineyard B&B

5 Loaring Road

08 9291 8705

Bickley Valley Wine Trail-the following are some of the wineries

Lawnbrook Estate Wines

Bicton
Booragoon
Boya
Brentwood

Breton Bay
Brigadoon

Broadway Nedlands
Brookdale
Bull Creek
Bullsbrook
Burns Beach

Burns Beach Sunset Village

35 Ocean Parade

08 9305 5000

Burswood

Intercontinental Perth Burswood

Burswood Entertainment Complex

great Eastern Highway

08 9362 8888

Holiday Inn Perth Burswood

Burswood Entertainment Complex

Corner of Bolton and Great Eastern Highway

08 9362 8888

Butler
Byford

Cohunu Koala and Wildlife Park

Lot 103 Nettleton rd, Byford

Calista

Canning Mills
Canning Vale

Echoes

459 Nicholson Road

08 9456 3023

Cannington

Caraban

Carabooda
Cardup
Carine

Carine Gardens Caravan Park

37 Old Balcatta Road

08 9447 5046

Carlisle
Carmel

Cosham Wines
Rose Heritage Tearooms

Carramar
Casaurina
Caversham

Big4 Perth Vineyards Holiday Park

91 Benara Road

08 9279 6700

Sandalford Wines

3210 W. Swan Road

08 9374 9374

Champion Lakes

Chittering

Chittering Tourist Promotion Centre

6180 Great Northern Highway  Bindoon  

08 9576 1100

Churchlands
City Beach
Claremont
Clarkson
Cloverdale
Como

Esplanade River Suites

112 Melville Parade

08 9367 0300

Como B&B

2a Bickley Crescent

08 9450 1442

Active Safaris

08 9225 6622

Connolly

Joondalup Resort
country club Boulevard
08 9400 8888

Coogee

Coogee Beach Holiday Park
Cockburn Road
08 9418 1810

Coolbellup
Coolbinia
Cooloongup
Cottesloe

ACCOMMODATION

Ocean Beach Hotel

corner of Marine Parade and Eric Street

08 9384 2555

Cottesloe Beach Apartments

Napier Street

08 9286 1960

Cottesloe Beach Chalets

6 John St

08 9383 5000

Cottesloe Waters Executive Apartments

8 MacArthur Street

08 9284 2555

Ocean Beach Backpackers

corner of Marine Parade and Eric Street

08 9384 5111

Craigie
Crawley

Trinity

Conference and Accommodation Centre

230 Hampden Road

08 9423 9423

Cullacabardee

Currambine
Daglish
Dalkeith
Darch
Darling Downs
Darlington
Dianella
Doubleview

Dog Swamp
Duncraig
East Cannington
East Fremantle
East Perth
East Victoria Park
Eden Hill
Edgewater

Eglinton
Ellenbrook
Embleton
Ferndale
Floreat
Forrestdale
Forrestfield
Fremantle

Fremantle Visitor Centre

Town Hall, Kings Square  High Street 

08 9431 7878

THINGS TO DO

Fremantle Prison

1 The Terrace

08 9336 9200

Fremantle Tram Tours

08 9433 6674

True Blue Gallery

84-86 high Street

08 9433 3622

Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour

ACCOMMODATION

Pier 21 Apartment Hotel

7-9 John Street

08 9336 2555

Fremantle Colonial Accommodation

215 high Street

08 9430 6568

James Henty Apartments

51-53 Pakenham St

08 9430 5530

Humberside Luxury Apartments

West End

08 9430 4458

Fremantle Executive Apartments

Old Bank Row

30B Marine Terrace

08 9430 5530

Fothergills of Fremantle

20-22 Ord Street

08 9335 6784

Portside Villa Accommodation

6/6 Ord Street

08 9336 1021

Bannister Suites

22 Bannister Street

08 9435 1288

Tradewinds Hotel

59 Canning Highway

East Fremantle

08 9339 8188

Esplanade Hotel

corner of Marine Terrace and Essex St

08 9432 4000

B&Bs

Kilkelly's B&B

82 Marine Terrace

08 9336 1744

Terrace Central B&B

79-85 S. Terrace

08 9335 6600

YHA/Backpackers

Backpackers Inn Freo

11 Pakenham St

08 9431 7065

CARAVAN PARKS

Fremantle Village-Caravan Park

1 Cockburn Road

08 9430 for 866

Gabbadah

Garden Island

Gidgegannup

Talleringa B&B

135 Redbrook Circle

08 9572 9393

Lakeview Lodge B&B

131 Lakeview Road

08 9578 3009

Kwaba Maya Country Retreat

48 Inthanoona Road

08 9574 6823

Girrawheen
Glen Forrest

John Forrest Tavern and Restaurant

Glendalough

Glengarry

Gnangara

Golden Bay
Gooseberry Hill

Possum Creek Lodge
6 Lenori Road

Grandview B&B

30 Girrawheen Dr

08 9293 2518

Rosebridge House B&B

86 Williams Street

08 9293 1741

Gosnells

Gosnells Railway Markets

Greenmount
Greenwood

Guilderton

Guilderton Caravan Park

2 Dewer Street

08 9577 1021

Guildford

Swan Valley and Eastern Region Visitor Centre

Historic Courthouse, Cnr of Meadow & Swan Streets, Guildford, 

(08) 9379 9400

Fauntleroy House B&B

4 James Street

08 9379 0270

Gwelup

Karrinyup Waters Resort

467 North Beach Road

08 9447 6665

Hamersley
Hamilton Hill

Hammond Park
Hazelmere

Banksia Tourist Park

219 Midland Road

08 9250 2398

Heathridge
Helena Valley

Henderson
Henley Brook

The River Retreat

10070 West Swan Road

08 9296 1007

Swan Valley Oasis Resort

10250 W. Swan Road

08 9296 5500

Herne Hill
High Wycombe

Springvale Village

161 Maida Vale Road

08 9454 9454

Highgate
Hillarys

The Aquarium of Western Australia

Hillarys Boat Harbour

08 9447 7500

Hillarys Harbour Resort Apartments

68 Southside Drive, Hillarys Boat Harbour

08 9262 7888

Hillman
Hilton
Hocking

Hope Valley

Hopeland
Hovea
Huntingdale
Iluka
Inglewood

Crawford House B&B

08 9272 5305

Innaloo
Jandabup

Jandakot

Heliwest

2 Harvard Road

08 9499 7700

Jane Brook

Jarrahdale

Millbrook Historical Cottage

Millbrook Winery

Old Chestnut Lane

08 9525 5796

Jindalee
Jolimont
Joondalup

Joondalup City Hotel

18 grand Blvd

08 9301 8111

Joondanna
Kalamunda

Helen Bromley Pottery

Harlequin Horse Antiques

Kallaroo

Karakin
Karawara
Kardinya

Karnup

Karragullen

Karrakatta

Karrakup
Karrinyup
Kelmscott

Kelmscott Caravan Park

80 River Road

08 9390 6137

Kensington
Kenwick
Kewdale

Keysbrook
Kiara
Kingsley

Cherokee village

10 Hocking Road

08 9409 9039

Kings Park

Kingsway
Kinross
Koondoola
Koongamia

Kwinana

Lancelin

Lancelin Lodge YHA

10 Hopkins Street

08 9655 2020

Landsdale
Langford
Lathlain
Leda

Ledge Point

Ledge Point Holiday Park

ledge Point Road

08 9655 2870

Leederville

Skydive Express

353 Oxford Street

08 9444 4199

Leeming
Lesmurdie

Falls Retreat B&B

45 Falls Road

08 9291 7609

Anapana Ridge

guesthouse

30 Gilchrist Road

08 9291 7997

Lexia
Lockridge

Lower Chittering
Lynwood
Maddington
Madeley

Kingsway Tourist Park

corner of Wanneroo Road and Kingsway

08 9409 9267

Mahogany Creek
Maida Vale

Vale House

5 Casuarina Road

08 9454 6462

Malaga

Mandogalup
Manning
Marangaroo

Mardella
Mariginup
Marmion
Martin
Maylands
Medina

Melaleuca
Melville
Menora
Merriwa
Middle Swan
Midland
Midvale
Millendon
Mindarie

Mindarie Marina

Ocean Falls Boulevard

08 9305 9305

Mirrabooka

Morangup
Morley
Mosman Park

Rose Moore B&B

2 Winifred St

08 9384 8214

Mount Claremont
Mount Hawthorn

Mount Helena
Mount Lawley
Mount Nasura
Mount Pleasant
Mt Richon

Hillside Garden Village

270 S. Western Highway

08 9399 6376

Mullaloo

Ocean Sunset B&B

119 Mullaloo Drive

08 9307 7334

Clarion Suites Mullaloo Beach

10 Oceanside Promenade

08 9404 1200

Mundaring

Mundaring Visitors Centre

The Old School  7225 Great Eastern Highway 

 (08) 9295 0202

Mundaring Weir Hotel

Mundaring Weir Road

08 9295 1106

Perth Hills Forest Lodge YHA

Lot 5284 Mundaring Weir Road

08 9295 1809

Mundijong
Munster

CARAVAN PARKS

Woodman Point Holiday Park

132 Cockburn Road

08 9434 1433

Murdoch
Myaree
Nedlands

Caesia House

32 Thomas St

08 9389 8174

Exley House

2 Bedford Street

08 9386 4452

Bedfords B&B

75 Bruce St

08 9386 1349

Neerabup

Dale's B&B

79 Wildflower drive

08 9405 4472

Nilgen
Nollamara
Noranda
North Beach

Ocean View Motel

10 Lawley St

08 9246 4699

North Fremantle
North Lake
North Perth

Above Bored B&B

14 Norham Street

08 9444 5455

Northbridge

Flight Experience WA

355 Newcastle Street

08 9228 8737

Hotel Northbridge

210 Lake Street

08 9328 5254

All Seasons Perth

08 9328 0000

Underground Backpackers

268 Newcastle Street

08 9228 3755

Nowergup
Oakford

O’Connor
Ocean Reef
Oldsbury

Orange Grove
Orelia
Osborne Park
Padbury
Palmyra

Parkerville
Parkwood
Parmelia

Paulls Valley
Pearsall
Peppermint Grove
Perth  6000

Perth Visitor Centre

Forrest Place (corner of Wellington Street) 

08 9483 1111

Within the city centre you can enjoy free and easy transport. The modern CAT buses run on three routes providing free transport around the city

THINGS TO DO

The Perth Mint

310 Hay Street, East Perth

open seven days

08 9421 7223

Western Australian Museum

Perth Cultural Centre

James Street

open daily except Wednesday 9:30 AM to 5 PM

admission by a donation

08 9427 2877 focus can hear her to keep moving via

Kings Park And Botanic Garden

Swan Bells

on the foreshore in the heart of the city-one of the world's largest musical instruments

Travellers Club

92-94 Barracks Street

08 9421 1883

TOUR OPERATORS

Swans Jet Adventures

Perth Sightseeing Centre

Barrack Street Jetty

1300 554026

WA Travel and Dive Centre

37 Barracks Street

08 9421 1883

Oceanic Cruises

Barrack Street

08 9325 1191

Captain Cook Cruises

Pier 3 Barrack Square

08 9325 3341

Perth Helicopter Scenic Flights

08 9499 7777

Western Travel Bug

Eco-Activity Tours

532 Murray St

08 9486 for 222

Aussie Perth Tours

138a Murray St

08 9221 2400

Perth Tram

City Explorer Tour

08 9322 2006

ACCOMMODATION

Mantra on Hay

201 Hey St

1800 505688

Mantra on Murray

305 Murray Street

1800 991992

Duxton Hotel

1 St Georges Terrace

1800 681118

Sheraton Hotel

207 Adelaide Terrace

08 9224 7777

Somerset

185 Saint Georges Terrace

1800 766377

Hyatt Regency

99 Adelaide Terrace

131234

Mont Clare

Boutique Apartments

190 Hay Street, East Perth

08 9224 4300

Mounts Bay Waters

112 Mounts Bay Road

08 9213 5333

Baileys Hotel Motel

150 Bennett Street

08 9220 9555

City Perth

Holiday Apartments

225 Beaufort Street

08 9227 7588

Comfort Hotel Perth City

200 Hay Street

1800 888678

Aarons All Suites Hotel

12 Victoria Avenue

08 9318 4444

Aarons Hotel Perth

70 Pier Street

08 9325 2133

Brownelea Holiday Apartments

166 Palmerston St

08 9227 1710

Citigate

707 Wellington Street

08 9327 7000

The Royal Hotel

corner of Wellington and William streets

08 9338 5100

Miss Maud Swedish Hotel

97 Murray Street

08 9325 3900

Goodearth Hotel

195 Adelaide Terrace

08 9492 7777

Perth Ambassador Hotel

196 Adelaide Terrace

08 9325 1455

Ibis Perth

334 Murray Street

08 9322 to a couple for

Novotel Perth Langley

221 Adelaide Terrace

08 9221 1200

Mercure Perth

08 9326 7000

Parmelia Hilton Perth

Mill Street

08 9215 2000

Seasons of Perth

37 Pier Street

08 9325 7655

YHAs & Backpackers

Perth City YHA

300 Wellington St

08 9287 3333

The Old Swan Barracks

2-8 Francis St

1800 048883

Billabong Backpackers Resort

381 Beaufort Street

08 9328 7720

Globe Backpackers and City Oasis Resort

561 Wellington St

08 9321 4080

The Grand Central Backpackers

379 Wellington St

08 9421 1123

The Witch's Hat

148 Palmerston St

08 9228 4228

Pickering Brook
Piesse Brook

Pinjar
Port Kennedy

Postans
Queens Park

Kenlorn Caravan Park

224 Treasure Road

08 9356 2380

Quinns Rocks

Camira B&B

52 Camira Way

08 9406 8284

Redcliffe

Red Hill

Reservoir
Ridgewood
Riverton
Rivervale

Flag Motor Lodge

129 Great Eastern Highway

08 9277 2766

Rockingham

Rockingham Tourist Centre

Gary Holland Community Centre

19 Kent Street

08 9592 3464

Rockingham Wild Encounters

08 9591 1333

ACCOMMODATION

Sea Haven

Palm Beach Villas

number two and number four Bell St

08 9382 4337

CARAVAN PARKS

Rockingham Holiday Village

147 Dixon Road

08 9527 4240

Cee & See Caravan Park

2 Governor Road

08 9527 1297

Rockingham Beach

Beachside Apartment Hotel

Rockingham Beach Road

08 9529 3777

The Anchorage Guesthouse

corner of Smyth and Wanliss streets

08 9527 4214

Roleystone

Araluen Nursery and Garden Tea Room

Phillips Galleries and Pottery

Brackenridge Village

Woodlands B&B

9 Andreas Road

08 9397 5664

Rossmoyne
Safety Bay

Pelicans Landing B&B

352 Safety Bay Road

08 9592 3058

Safety Bay Guesthouse B&B

42 Malibu Road

08 9527 7979

Salter Point
Samson

Sawyers Valley
Scarborough

ACCOMMODATION

Rendezvous Observation City Hotel

the Esplanade

08 9245 1000

West Beach Lagoon

251 West Coast Highway

08 9341 6122

Seashells Serviced Apartments

178 the Esplanade

08 9341 6644

Indian Ocean Hotel

27 Hastings Street

1300 765431

B&Bs

Oupa's B&B

92 Stanley Street

08 9341 6905

YHA/Backpackers

Perth beach YHA (Indigo Lodge)

256 West Coast Highway

08 9245 3388

Seabird
Secret Harbour

Secret Harbour B&B at Golfers Retreat

16 Sao Jorge Green

08 9524 7210

Serpentine
Seville Grove
Shelley
Shenton Park
Shoalwater

Manuel Towers Boutique B&B

32a Arcadia drive

08 9592 2698

Sinagra
Singleton
Sorrento

Quality Sorrento Beach Resort

1 Padbury Circle

08 9246 8100

Albacore B&B

18 Albacore Drive

08 9448 2238

South Fremantle

Fremantle Village Caravan Park

Lot 25, Cockburn Road

08 9430 for 866

South Guildford
South Lake
South Perth

Perth Zoo

20 Ladouchere Road

open 9 AM to 5 PM every day

08 9474 0444

The Peninsula

Riverside Serviced Apartments

53 South Perth Esplanade

08 9368 6688

Southern River
Spearwood
St James

Stirling

Stoneville

Chalets on Stoneville

4405 Stoneville Road

08 9295 6628

Stratton
Subiaco

Kings Park Motel

255 Thomas St

08 9381 0000

Success
Swan View
Swanbourne

Tamala Park
Tapping
The Vines

Chill

at the VINES

5 Ellenbrook drive

08 9297 3195

Novotel Swan Valley Vines Resort

Verdelho Drive

08 9297 3000

The Vines Resort and Country Club

Verdelho Drive

08 9297 3000

Thornlie
Trigg

Trigg Retreat B&B

59 Kitchener Street

08 9447 6726

Tuart Hill
Two Rocks

Bobby Jo's B&B

99 Two Rocks Road

08 9561 5304

Upper Swan
Victoria Park
Viveash
Waikiki
Walliston

Wandi

Wangara
Wanneroo

Ron's Riding Ranch

1611 Wanneroo Road

0412 922588

Wanneroo Caravan Park

18 Jacaranda drive

08 9405 1176

Warnbro

Homestead B&B

14 Palm Drive

08 9593 0928

Warwick
Waterford
Watermans Bay
Wattle Grove
Wattleup

Wedge Island
Wellard

Welshpool
Wembley
Wembley Downs
West Leederville
West Perth

City Stay Apartment Hotel

875 Wellington Street

1800 819191

The Richardson Hotel and Spa

32 Richardson Street

08 9217 8888

West Swan

Swan Valley Tourist Park

6581 West Swan Road

08 9274 2828

Settlers Rest Farm Stay

90 George Street

08 9250 4540

Westfield
Westminster
Wexcombe

Whitby
White Gum Valley

Whiteman

Caversham Wildlife Park

open every day

Whiteman Park

08 9248 1984

Wilbinga
Willagee
Willetton
Wilson
Winthrop
Woodbridge
Woodlands
Woodvale

Wungong

Armadale Reptile and Wildlife Centre

Lot 55 South West Highway

Mimsbrook Farm Guesthouse

65 Kennan Street

Yanchep
Yangebup
Yokine