Discover the rich history of Perth, from its indigenous origins to European settlement and its growth into a thriving urban center in Western Australia.
Perth was founded on 12 June 1829 by Captain James Stirling as the administrative center of the Swan River Colony. The area had been inhabited by the Indigenous Noongar people for thousands of years prior to European settlement. Initially named "Perth" after the city in Scotland, it became the capital of Western Australia when it gained separate colony status in 1832. Perth experienced a period of slow growth in its early years, but the discovery of gold in the late 19th century brought significant economic and population growth. Throughout the 20th century, Perth continued to develop, becoming a major center for trade, commerce, and industry in Australia. Today, it is the fourth-largest city in Australia and remains an important economic and cultural hub in Western Australia.