The Nyoongar tribe lived in the Perth region for some 40,000 years before European settlement in 1829 living on the banks of the Swan River.
It is believed the first European visitors came to the region in 1696 when three ships anchored off Rottnest Island. The well armed party came ashore and explored the Swan River near Freshwater Bay. They were on a mission to search for a ship which was believed to have gone missing in the area some years back.
The first European settlement grew slowly until convicts were sent to the region in 1850. The convict labour is responsible for many of the historic buildings still standing in Perth including the Town Hall and Government House.
The 1890s saw the gold rush and Perth’s population increased four-fold. The city soon became one of Australia’s richest and the population grew substantially from this time. Mining in West Australia has had a great impact on Perth and Australia’s economy since that time, with many of the countries largest mining magnates and entrepreneurs based in Perth.
The America’s cup put the on the world stage in the 1980s with Fremantle being the base for this huge event. The boom continued until many high profile entrepreneurs and politicians got consumed by their own greed, scandal and corruption and fell from the top positions in the city during the late 1980s. Recovery from the 1990s recession was swift, and the growth rate of the city has been higher than many other major cities in Australia. A new mining boom in the 21st century has seen the city grow immensely thanks to the mining exports that make up a great deal of Australia’s economy.
Today Perth is back on its feet and very wealthy with some of the richest mineral stakes in the country. A Mediterranean climate, Waterfront homes and a healthy outdoor lifestyle also make Perth one of Australia’s most livable cities.
