History of Western Australia
Videos
Page
The human history of Western Australia commenced between 40,000 and 60,000 years ago with the arrival of Aboriginal Australians on the northwest coast. The first inhabitants expanded across the east and south of the continent.
Willem de Vlamingh's ships at the entrance to the Swan River, 1697
Crew of the French ship L'Astrolabe make contact with Aboriginal people at King George Sound, 1826
The settled counties of the Colony of Western Australia, c. 1838
Governor William Campion at the centenary celebrations in Perth
Swan River Colony
Videos
Page
The Swan River Colony, also known as the Swan River Settlement, or just Swan River, was a British colony established in 1829 on the Swan River, in Western Australia. This initial settlement place on the Swan River was soon named Perth, and it became the capital city of Western Australia.
Willem de Vlamingh's ships, with black swans, at the entrance to the Swan River, Western Australia, coloured engraving (1796), derived from an earlier drawing (now lost) from the de Vlamingh expeditions of 1696–97
Admiral Sir James Stirling