Perth is the capital city of Western Australia, with a
population that recently topped 2 million. It is a vibrant and modern city, situated on the banks of the Swan River, approximately 7km upstream from the river opening at the port of
Fremantle.
A Dutch sailor, Willem de Vlamingh first sighted the area in 1697, but he was unimpressed with what he saw. He named it the Swan River, due to the large number of black swans that he observed habituating in the area.
Over a hundred years later Captain James Stirling, along with Charles Fraser realised the potential of this part of the Western coast and it's surrounding waters. In 1829 Stirling set sail to Perth as Lieutenant Governor of Australia's first free colony. By 1850 convicts had just started to arrive on the Western coast, by this time
the settlement was already
well established.
Perth is
well known for it's pristine parks, riverside walkways and white sandy beaches. The most popular park being
Kings Park, with stunning
views of the Swan River and City Centre. Also
home to several memorials and being high above the bustling city centre, it is a perfect place for quiet reflection.
The Swan Bells Tower is a striking piece of architecture resting on the edge of the Swan River. It is one of the largest musical instruments on earth,
home to the twelve bells of Saint Martin in the Fields church and the parish church of Buckingham Palace. A gift to the former WA Premier Richard Court from Queen Elizabeth II.
The telephone code for Perth and the state of WA is 08. Perth observes WST (Western Standard Time) which is GMT+ 8 hours.