Interesting Facts About Perth

There are approximately 1.5 million people who call Perth, Western Australia home. Perth is a coastal city that sits on the Swan River, which empties into the Indian Ocean, and features numerous parks and gardens. Cottesloe Beach, one of Perth's many beautiful beaches, is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike to swim, surf, and then unwind at one of the many nearby cafes.

It's also worth mentioning that there are many places of interest for visitors to see in Perth, such as the Western Australian Museum, Kings Park Botanic Garden, Parliament House (which offers free tours), and Fremantle Prison (a convict-built prison).

About Perth

Greater than 2.1 million people call Perth, Western Australia home as of June 2020. The city has a population of over 400,000, making it Australia's fourth largest (after Sydney, Auckland and Brisbane). The total land area of the city is 6,418 square kilometres (2,478 square miles). A mean elevation of 31.5 metres (103 feet) above sea level can be found here.

In Perth, Australia, you'll find everything you need for a fantastic vacation. There are 3,000 annual hours of sunshine, welcoming locals, interesting historical sites, and casual outdoor restaurants serving up world-class cuisine and wine.

A visit to Perth will not be short on entertainment options. Take a sightseeing tour of the city from atop a double-decker bus and end the ride in Kings Park, where you can enjoy a picnic or a stroll through the park's treetops. Visit The Perth Mint to see gold being poured or check out The Bell Tower to see one of the most iconic musical instruments in the world.

One can go shopping in one of the many malls or specialty stores, enjoy a wine tasting cruise down the scenic Swan River, see over 1,500 different animal species at the Perth Zoo, or, for a truly unique experience, take a Segway Tour of the city.

Plenty of museums, galleries, theatres, and exhibitions can be found in Perth, as can a plethora of restaurants, bars, night markets, and cafes. Mt. Lawley, Subiaco, and Leederville are just a few of the "urban villages" that surround Perth and provide a unique take on city life.

Within 45 minutes of the Perth CBD, you can reach the historic port town of Fremantle, the turquoise bays of Rottnest Island, and the verdant valleys full of world-class wineries in the Swan Valley and Perth Hills, all perfect for day trips or longer getaways after exploring Perth city. Looking for things to do in Perth, Fremantle, and the nearby areas? Check out the Attractions and Activities section.

One of the world's most secluded megacities, Perth is incredibly remote. Adelaide, the closest city with a population over 100,000, is over 2,100 km away (1,305 mi). Both East Timor and Jakarta, Indonesia are more than 2,000 kilometers (1,500 miles) from Perth, while Sydney is only 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) away (3,300 km or 2,100 mi).

A Brief History

Around 40,000 to 60,000 years ago, Australia's first settlers came down from the northern hemisphere. Indigenous Australians were the only people to have ever inhabited Western Australia, and they did so in peace and harmony with the land for tens of thousands of years before Europeans arrived. The history and culture of indigenous Australians is fascinating. Unfortunately, as with many Indigenous societies in the 18th and 19th centuries, radical shifts were on the horizon.

Captain James Stirling of the Royal Navy arrived in the Swan River in March 1827 and found a land with great natural attractions, in contrast to the accounts of New Holland (the name the Dutch gave to Australia) given by French and Dutch navigators.

Due to Stirling's landing and subsequent report to His Majesty's Government in England, the Swan River Settlement was established in June 1829. Perth, Fremantle, and Guildford were established along the Swan River for easy transportation. Guildford, 20 kilometers to the east, was chosen to supply produce to the surrounding region due to the rich, fertile soil found in the Swan Valley, while Fremantle, 20 kilometers downstream on the coast, served as the colony's functional port.

Due to a severe lack of available labour, the British sent convicts to Western Australia between the years of 1850 and 1868. There were a total of 43 convict voyages that brought 9,721 convicts to Western Australia.

The years 1850-1868 saw Western Australia functioning as a penal colony. The Swan River Mechanics' Institute, Government House, Fremantle Prison, The Cloisters, and the Perth Town Hall were all built in part by the convict labour force.

Since Sir George Murray, the colonial secretary at the time, was born in the Scottish county of Perth, the city was officially recognised as a municipality in 1856 and given its current name. The Western Australian gold rush of the late 19th century greatly boosted the city's population.

Fremantle was the home base for Australian subs in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Matilda Bay was also home to a fleet of US Navy Catalina flying boats.

The Noongar people have established a distinctive identity that is felt throughout the state, and their cultural heritage provides visitors with an experience unlike any other. Visit the Aboriginal Art Gallery in Kings Park, the WA Museum, and the Art Gallery of WA to see Indigenous artworks. Stop by the Yagan statue on Heirisson Island and the Charnock Woman, a 25-meter pavement mosaic in Victoria Gardens, East Perth.

It wasn't until the turn of the century that the majority of the state was even discovered. Then, in 1890, miners in the Kimberley and Kalgoorlie regions struck gold. As a result, the population exploded, and Perth became the commercial centre of the colony, forcing Fremantle to expand its harbour to meet rising demand. But most of Fremantle's original buildings have been painstakingly restored and can be seen today.

In the 1940s, when the United States entered World War II, there was an unprecedented demand for minerals, and Washington State provided in abundance. Some of the world's largest mining and exploration companies are headquartered in Perth, Australia to better access the country's abundant resources of lead, mineral sands, diamonds, nickel, oil, iron ore, and gas. Therefore, the natural resources industry remains crucial to WA's economy.

Climate

When compared to other Australian capitals, Perth basks in more annual sunshine. Australia's capital city of Perth is also the sunniest due to its location far from any other major population centres. On a typical day, there are eight hours of daylight for us to bask in.

Sunlight can be expected to shine for eight hours a day in Perth, Australia, making the city's climate reminiscent of the Mediterranean. Although summers are hot and dry, they are not completely devoid of precipitation; brief thunderstorms occur periodically throughout the season.

Temperatures peak in February and typically drop in July and August. The majority of Perth's annual precipitation occurs between May and September, making for cool and wet winters. There is no better time to visit than when it is warm and clear, which is why spring is so precious.

Isla Fisher (The Great Gatsby), Sam Worthington (Avatar), Melissa George (Mulholland Drive), and the late Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight) are just a few of the Hollywood stars who were born, raised, or attended school in Perth (The Dark Knight). Hugh Jackman, when he was just starting out, also studied acting in Perth.

Summer

Perth experiences its largest seasonal temperature swing in the summer. Average highs hover around 36 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit), while average lows range from 14 degrees Celsius (57 degrees Fahrenheit) to 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit).

In February, the average high in Canberra is 31.6 degrees Celsius (88.9 degrees Fahrenheit), making it the second warmest month of the year in Australia after Darwin. The average dew point in February is 12.9 degrees Celsius (55.2 degrees Fahrenheit), indicating that humidity levels are low during the summer. With a minimum temperature of 18.4 °C (65.1 °F) in February, Perth's summer evenings are cooler than those in Sydney, Brisbane, and Darwin.

A sea breeze, dubbed the "Fremantle Doctor" by the locals, typically blows in from the south-west during the summer afternoons, cooling things off from the scorching north-easterly winds. A few hours after the wind shift arrives, the temperature frequently drops below 30 °C (86 °F).

Swanbourne, a coastal town, experiences an average 3-o'clock wind speed of 27.7 kilometres per hour (17.2 miles per hour) in the month of January, which can make trips to the beach in the afternoon unpleasant. Suburbs near the coast have milder summers than their inland counterparts because the sea breeze arrives later. When the ocean breeze is absent, temperatures can rise above 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit).

December and January have the greatest sea breeze because the temperature difference between the sea and land is greater at those times than it is in February and March. In Perth, going to the beach is a common summertime activity, especially when temperatures soar. The average summer UV index is 12, so it's important to take precautions when going outside (extreme).

Bushfires are a common occurrence in and around Perth due to the hot, dry, and sometimes windy summer conditions. Most summers in and around Perth see at least a few small bushfires, and occasionally larger ones that cause significant damage and even fatalities. The Perth Hills Bushfire of 2014 is one such event.

Temperatures of 46.2 °C (115.2 °F) were recorded in Perth on February 23, 1991, while those of 46.7 °C (116.1 °F) were recorded at Perth Airport, serving the metropolitan area, on the same day.

On January 12, 2014, Perth hit a record low of 29.7 degrees Celsius, or 85.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Summertime lows in Perth have been recorded as low as 6.6 degrees Celsius (43.9 degrees Fahrenheit) on December 1, 2020, and summertime highs have reached as low as 14.9 degrees Celsius (58.8 degrees Fahrenheit) on December 17, 1952.

Summers in Perth are generally dry, but they do see some rain in the form of brief thunderstorms and cold fronts every once in a while. During the winter months of December through February, you can expect 43.1 mm (1.70 in) of precipitation on an average of 4.9 rainy days.

Perth is never affected by tropical cyclones. This is because tropical cyclones can't form in waters with such low temperatures, but ex-tropical cyclone remnants in the north-west of Western Australia can bring significant precipitation. This is more common in the late summer and early fall than it is in the early summer and mid-summer.

Autumn

The season of autumn marks the change from warm weather to the cold of winter. In some years, summer weather can linger until the middle of April, while in others, winter weather can set in as early as May. March still has its fair share of heatwaves, with average highs still hovering around the 38°C (100°F) mark. Remains of ex-tropical cyclones hit Perth more frequently in March and April than in any other months, including January and February. Winter showers don't usually begin falling in earnest until May. As for the weather, days are still typically in the mid-20s, so they're colder than average but not as extreme as winter. In the fall, the ocean is at its warmest. Because of this, wind speeds are lower than they would be in the spring and summer.

Winter

During the winter, the temperature range in Perth is narrower, with highs between 16 and 22 degrees Celsius (61 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit) and lows between 3 and 13 degrees Celsius (37 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit). The average high in July is 18.4 degrees Celsius (65.1 degrees Fahrenheit), which is cooler than Brisbane and Darwin but warmer than Sydney, and the average low is 7.9 degrees Celsius (46.2 degrees Fahrenheit), which is cooler than both of those cities.

Perth has a frosty past on rare occasions. On average, there are four times a year when the temperature drops below 2 °C (36 °F). About once every five years, we experience temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F). Perth's record low temperature is 0.7 degrees Celsius (30.7 degrees Fahrenheit), set on June 17, 2006, while the record low for the metropolitan area is 3.4 degrees Celsius (25.7 degrees Fahrenheit), set at Jandakot Airport on the same day.

Jandakot Airport is typically the coolest place in Perth during the winter, with annual average lows of 2 °C (36 °F) occuring 14.6 times and 0 °C (32 °F) occuring 3.5 times. On June 26, 1956, Perth saw a high of only 8.8 degrees Celsius (47.8 degrees Fahrenheit). Perth, Western Australia, has seen a high of 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) on August 28, 2019, and a low of 17.1 degrees Celsius (62.8 degrees Fahrenheit) on August 7, 2013.

The winter months of June through August bring heavy rain to Perth, with an average of 397.3 mm (15.64 in) on 47.6 rain days. It rains heavily on days that are predicted to have rain, and the rainy days are typically separated by many sunny, cloud-free days. The Perth Hills are the wettest part of the metropolitan area. Bickley receives an average of 591.7 mm (23.30 in) of precipitation during the winter, while Kalamunda receives an average of 595.9 mm (22.90 in) (23.46 in).

The southern annular mode plays a role in determining Perth's winter precipitation (SAM). Precipitation in Perth falls when the SAM is positive and rises when it is negative. Despite the fact that the Perth Central Business District has never seen snow, the Perth Hills in the areas of Kalamunda, Roleystone, and Mundaring have experienced light snowfalls. When did you last see snow? 1968 was the last time.

Spring

Spring is the time of year when the seasons change from winter to summer. The average low temperature in September is 9.5 degrees Celsius (48.1 degrees Fahrenheit), so it's still chilly even then. As spring progresses, we see a decrease in precipitation and an increase in average highs. By the end of the year, we're back to summer weather, complete with heatwaves and a lack of precipitation. On 11 November 2003, the temperature reached 40.3 °C (104.5 °F), making it the earliest day on record to reach 40 °C (104 °F) in the spring. The importance of wind speeds increases in the spring compared to the fall.

Oldest Operating Mint

The Perth Mint is Australia's oldest continuously operating institution. As Australia's oldest continuously operating mint, the Perth Mint on Hay Street is a national treasure. This mint has made a name for itself since its founding in 1899 by producing high-quality gold, silver, and platinum coins.

Sir John Forrest laid the cornerstone in 1896, and on June 20, 1899, the Mint first opened to the public. Population in Western Australia increased from 23,000 in 1869 to 180,000 in 1900, largely as a result of the discovery of rich gold deposits in the Coolgardie, Kalgoorlie, and Murchison regions of the colony.

Diggers from all over Australia and the world flocked to the then colony of Western Australia, depositing their raw gold at The Perth Mint to be minted into gold coins because there was so little available currency in Perth with which to exchange gold for goods.

The Mint remained under British control after Federation in 1901 until 1 July 1970, when it was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Government of Western Australia as a statutory authority. In addition to being a mint, the building also houses a museum. Over one hundred and twenty thousand people visit the Perth Mint each year to see the process of minting gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins. The opportunity to strike and engrave one's own medallion is also available to visitors.

The Government of Western Australia owns the Perth Mint outright, making it the official bullion mint of Australia. The Perth Mint was founded on June 20, 1899, two years before Australia's Federation in 1901. It was the third and final of three Australian colonial branches of the United Kingdom's Royal Mint (following the now-defunct Sydney Mint and Melbourne Mint) and was established to refine gold from the gold rushes and mint gold sovereigns and half-sovereigns for the British Empire.

The Perth Mint is the elder of the two mints that issue coins that are legal tender in Australia; the Royal Australian Mint produces coins of the Australian dollar for circulation. In 1957, the Perth Mint produced a 13-troy-ounce (400 g) proof plate with six nines, making it "arguably the purest of all gold." This percentage equates to 999.999 parts gold per thousand. Because of how impressed they were, the Royal Mint decided to purchase some gold to use as a standard.

With a total of 4,500 metric tonnes of refined gold produced by the Mint between 1980 and the year 2000, the institution was responsible for 3.25 percent of all gold ever mined. This relates to the quantity of gold bullion stored at Fort Knox by the United States government. Next to its original limestone structure, The Perth Mint opened a brand new, state-of-the-art 8,400 square metre manufacturing facility in 2003.

Previously held by the Royal Canadian Mint, The Perth Mint in October 2011 produced the largest, heaviest, and most valuable gold coin in history. The currency is made out of 1,012 kilograms (2,231 lb) of 99.99% pure gold and measures about 80 centimetres (31 in) in diameter and 12 centimetres (4.7 in) thick.

It depicts a bust of Queen Elizabeth II on one side and a red kangaroo on the other. It has a face value of A$1 million (around $53.5 million at the time of minting), making it legal tender in Australia. The Mint still processes gold and offers other services to the industry, while also producing a wide variety of numismatic products for traders and collectors.

Most of Australia's legal tender precious metal coins are produced and distributed by the Perth Mint. These include the proof quality Swan series coins, Australian Platinum Koala coins, Australian Nugget gold coins, Australian Silver Kookaburra coins, and bullion. In a separate, secure facility outside the city centre, the Mint refines roughly 79% of the gold production on the Australasian market and 30% of the silver production as of the end of November 2019.

Australia's Perth Mint produces coins and bars using gold from Australia and other countries, accounting for 10% of the world's total gold output. In 2018, it generated about A$18.9 billion from the sale of gold, silver, and platinum bullion bars and coins.

Walk to Rottnest Island

Located 18 kilometers (11 miles) west of Fremantle, Rottnest Island is an island off the coast of Western Australia also known as Wadjemup to the local Noongar people and simply as Rotto by the rest of the population.

Rottnest, a low, sandy island formed on a base of aeolianite limestone, is a protected A-class reserve. Rottnest Island, like its neighbour Garden Island, is a relic of the dune ridges that existed during the Pleistocene.

Quokkas, a species of native marsupial that can only be found on Rottnest, have become something of a celebrity there. Southern fur seals and Australian sea lions live in colonies on the island.

Rottnest has been designated an Important Bird Area because it is home to nesting grounds for several native and introduced bird species in the vicinity of the shallow salt lakes in the island's interior. Three native tree species thrive on the island, the most notable of which is the Rottnest Island pine.

Around 7,000 years ago, when sea levels were higher, Rottnest and other islands broke away from the mainland. The island is called Wadjemup by the Noongar people, and artefacts from at least 30,000 years ago have been discovered there.

In the 17th century, Dutch ships made several visits to the island, but nobody was living there. In 1696, Willem de Vlamingh gave the island its current name, 't Eylandt 't Rottenest (or "Rats' Nest Island"), in reference to the abundant population of quokkas.

The island has served as a military installation, penal colony, and internment camps for enemy aliens since the 1829 establishment of the Swan River Colony (present-day Perth) by British settlers. Numerous structures on the island were constructed during the colonial era, frequently using limestone from the area, and are now used as vacation rentals.

Incredibly, around 5,000 years ago, it was possible to walk from Perth to Rottnest Island. A ferry ride to the island is now required due to the many changes that have occurred in the last 5,000 years.

A few of the fascinating aspects of Perth are outlined here. If you ever find yourself in Perth with a dull-looking tour guide, don't be shy about asking them some questions; you'll learn a lot more about the city's rich history and stunning architecture that way.

As the seas rose around 7,000 years ago, they cut off the connection between Rottnest Island and the rest of Western Australia, forcing the indigenous people who had lived there to relocate. Wadjemup, which means "place across the water where the spirits are" in Noongar Aboriginal mythology, describes the island.

The island's aboriginal community produced artefacts that have been dated to between 6,500 and over 30,000 years ago. New evidence, however, points to human habitation well before 50,000, perhaps as early as 70,000 BP. Thomson Bay is the heart of the island's population.

When Europeans first began exploring the island in the 1650s, there were no inhabitants. Since the indigenous mainlanders lacked suitable boats, the island had likely lain uninhabited for thousands of years.

City of Light

The name "City of Light" has been applied to Perth. The naming comes from the fact that in 1962, when astronaut John Glenn flew over, he was able to recognise Perth because everyone turned on their lights.

After Glenn's flight over Perth, the city's residents lit up in recognition of his mission. After Glenn's observation that Perth could be seen from space, the city earned the moniker "City of Light" all over the globe. This preliminary space mission paved the way for the later Gemini and Apollo programmes, which ultimately resulted in the landing of humans by NASA on the moon.

On Monday, February 20, 2012, a public event was held in the Northbridge Piazza to celebrate the 50th anniversary of John Glenn's orbit of Earth. The event included a live audio and video link to the International Space Station as it orbited the Earth (read more event details on the Show Me Perth and WA Museum websites).

The highlight of the event is a chance for kids to interact with astronauts aboard the International Space Station and ask them questions. There were activities, displays, and presentations at the event that focused on Western Australia's contributions to space travel and the expansion of telecommunications over the past half-century.

Although Yuri Gagarin, a Russian cosmonaut, beat John Glenn to becoming the first human to orbit Earth by a year, Australia and Western Australia can celebrate this mission as a major success due to the country's significant role in this. Following subsequent NASA missions, Muchea in Western Australia served as the only non-US based Command station (for the Mercury missions), and Parkes and Honeysuckle Creek played a pivotal role in broadcasting the television footage of the Apollo 11 moon landing around the world.

Stations in Muchea and Carnarvon in Western Australia, and Woomera, Honeysuckle Creek, Tidbinbilla, and Parkes in the eastern states, were constructed to aid NASA in the monitoring and control of its missions due to the earth's rotation and the orbit of spacecraft.

There were only two stations active during the Mercury missions (of which John Glenn's flight was a part): Muchea and Woomera. In the 1960s, there were many breakthroughs in technology and communication, and Australia saw rapid dissemination of many of these advances thanks to the space age.

To better communicate with the tracking station adjacent to this installation, NASA funded the OTC satellite communications station in Carnarvon. Nonetheless, it also brought satellite TV and phone service to the state. The installation of microwave and cable links between Carnarvon and Perth not only provided the basis for future telecommunications infrastructure in Western Australia, but also helped to facilitate international communication between the two cities.

One of these brand-new cable connections was rewired by ABC Television and OTC employees, allowing Perth residents to watch the moon landing live. Back when "personal computer" was still a pipe dream, the men and women who worked at NASA and its affiliated facilities had access to the cutting edge of technology. Nonetheless, thanks to their talent and perseverance, the rest of the world now knows that Australia has talented scientists and engineers.

Even now, new NASA tracking dishes are being built in Australian facilities, proving that Australia remains a crucial partner to NASA in space exploration. During John Glenn's first orbit as Muchea tracked him, the people of Perth, Australia, turned on their lights to provide a welcome glow for the space traveller out of sympathy for his feelings of isolation and distance from home. The city of Perth has been given the moniker "City of Light" in honour of this momentous occasion.

Conclusion

With a population of over 400,000 and a total land area of 6,418 square kilometres, Perth, Western Australia is a sizable coastal metropolis. Cottesloe Beach, the Western Australian Museum, Kings Park Botanic Garden, Parliament House, and Fremantle Prison are all located in this area. There are casual outdoor restaurants serving world-class cuisine and wine, fascinating historical sites, and an average of 3,000 hours of sunlight per year. Adelaide, the nearest city with a population over 100,000, is nearly 2,100 kilometres from Perth, making it one of the most isolated megacities in the world (1,305 mi). Within 45 minutes of the Central Business District, you may visit the ancient port town of Fremantle, the turquoise bays of Rottnest Island, and the green valleys full with world-class wineries. Some of the "urban villages" around the city are Mt. Lawley, Subiaco, and Leederville.

Are you looking for activities to do in Perth, Fremantle, and the surrounding areas? Learn more by visiting the attractions and activities page. For tens of thousands of years before Europeans arrived, Indigenous Australians had already established a peaceful and harmonious relationship with their environment after the first settlers landed in Australia between 40,000 and 60,000 years ago. The Swan River Colony was founded in June 1829 when Royal Navy captain James Stirling discovered a region rich in natural beauty. Between 1850 and 1868, the British sent 9,721 prisoners to Western Australia.

Convict labour was used to construct many prominent Perth landmarks, including the Swan River Mechanics' Institute, Government House, Fremantle Prison, The Cloisters, and Perth Town Hall. Fremantle's population boomed during the Western Australian gold rush in the late 19th century, and it served as the Pacific Theater base for Australian submarines during World War II. In Western Australia, the Noongar people have forged a unique identity that resonates throughout the state, and their rich cultural history offers sightseers an unforgettable adventure. The Yagan statue on Heirisson Island and the Charnock Woman, a 25-meter pavement mosaic in Victoria Gardens, East Perth, can both be found in Perth, Australia. Up until the 1890s, when gold was discovered in the Kimberley and Kalgoorlie districts, it served as the colony's commercial hub. Minerals were in high demand after the United States joined World War II, and Washington State was able to meet most of that need.

Content Summary

1. An estimated 1.5 million people call Perth, Western Australia, home.
2. Perth, Western Australia, is a beautiful coastal city with many parks and gardens located on the Swan River, which flows into the Indian Ocean.
3. In addition to the Western Australian Museum, Kings Park Botanic Garden, Parliament House (with free tours), and Fremantle Prison, Perth is home to numerous other attractions (a convict-built prison).
4. What I Know About Perth
5. There will be more than 2.1 million people calling Perth, Western Australia home by the end of that year.
6. Around 400,000 people call this city home, making it the fourth most populous in all of Australia (after Sydney, Auckland and Brisbane).
7. The landmass of the metropolis is a whopping 6,418 square kilometres in total (2,478 square miles).
8. Everything you need for a memorable holiday may be found in Perth, Australia.
9. There are 3,000 hours of sunshine every year, friendly residents, fascinating historical places, and laid-back outdoor eateries dishing up world-class cuisine and wine.
10. In Perth, you may choose from a wide variety of activities to fill your time.
11. Go on a double-decker bus and travel across the city, getting out at Kings Park for a picnic or a stroll among the treetops.
12. The Perth Mint is where gold is poured, and the Bell Tower houses one of the most recognisable bells in the world.
13. Shopping at one of the many malls or specialised stores, taking a wine tasting cruise on the beautiful Swan River, visiting the Perth Zoo and seeing over 1,500 species of animals, or, for a truly unique experience, going on a Segway Tour of the city, are all viable options for anyone visiting Perth.
14. In addition to its many restaurants, bars, night markets, and cafes, Perth is home to a number of museums, art galleries, theatres, and exhibition spaces.
15. Urban communities such as Mt. Lawley, Subiaco, and Leederville dot the landscape outside of Perth, each offering its own take on city living.
16. The historic port town of Fremantle, the turquoise bays of Rottnest Island, and the verdant valleys full of world-class wineries in the Swan Valley and Perth Hills are all within 45 minutes of the Perth Central Business District and make excellent day trips or longer getaways after exploring Perth city.
17. It is one of the world's most isolated megacities; Perth is a long way from anywhere.
18. A distance of over 2,100 kilometres separates you from the nearest city of 100,000 or more people, Adelaide (1,305 mi).
19. Sydney is only 1,200 kilometres (1,500 miles) from Perth, although East Timor and Jakarta, Indonesia are both more than 2,000 kilometres (1,500 miles) away (3,300 km or 2,100 mi).
20. Some Background The earliest known inhabitants of Australia arrived from the Arctic or Siberia between 40 and 60 thousand years ago.
21. Western Australia had only ever been inhabited by indigenous Australians, who lived there in peace and harmony with the country for tens of thousands of years before Europeans came.
22. The indigenous people of Australia have a rich and intriguing history and culture.
23. Between 1850 and 1868, the British brought thousands of convicts to Western Australia because of a serious shortage of labour.
24. In total, 9,721 convicts were transported to Western Australia on 43 separate journeys.
25. Western Australia served as a penal colony during the years 1850 and 1868.
26. Convict labour was used to construct many prominent Perth landmarks, including the Swan River Mechanics' Institute, Government House, Fremantle Prison, The Cloisters, and Perth Town Hall.
27. During World War II, Fremantle served as the main base for Australian submarines operating in the Pacific.
28. In Western Australia, the Noongar people have forged a unique identity that resonates throughout the state, and their rich cultural history offers sightseers an unforgettable adventure.
29. In fact, most of the state wasn't even mapped out until the turn of the century.
30. Minerals were in high demand after the United States joined World War II, and Washington State was able to meet most of that need.
31. Australia is rich in resources including lead, mineral sands, diamonds, nickel, oil, iron ore, and gas, so it's no surprise that some of the world's greatest mining and exploration businesses have set up shop in Perth.
32. As a result, the natural resources sector will continue to play a significant role in WA's economy.
33. Perth, in Western Australia, enjoys more sunny days per year than any other Australian capital.
34. Perth, the capital of Australia, is the sunniest major city in the country because of its isolation from other urban hubs.
35. As a result of the city's Mediterranean-like temperature and the fact that the sun shines for eight hours a day, Perth, Australia, is often compared to the Mediterranean.
36. While the summers are hot and dry, they are not entirely devoid of rain. Occasionally, you may see a brief rainstorm.
37. Perth experiences chilly and wet winters since the majority of its annual precipitation falls between May and September.
38. Many famous actors and actresses have Perth ties, including Isla Fisher (The Great Gatsby), Sam Worthington (Avatar), Melissa George (Mulholland Drive), and the late Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight) (The Dark Knight).
39. Early in his career, Hugh Jackman, like many others, went to acting school in Perth, Australia.
40. In the summer, the temperature in Perth varies more than any other time of year.
41. Canberra experiences the second-highest average temperature in Australia, behind only Darwin, in February, at 31.6 degrees Celsius (88.9 degrees Fahrenheit).
42. Summer nights in Perth are cooler than those in Sydney, Brisbane, or Darwin, with an average low of 18.4 °C (65.1 °F) in February.
43. In contrast to February and March, when the temperature difference between the sea and land is smaller, the sea breeze is stronger in December and January.
44. During the hot Perth summers, many people head to the beach.
45. The hot, dry, and sometimes windy summer weather in and around Perth make bushfires a regular occurrence.