Perth’s first inhabitants arrived c. 40,000 -60,000 years ago. In March 1827, Captain James Sterling of the Royal Navy arrived in the Swan River with its many natural attractions; previous navigators encountered only inhospitable environments. In 1829, the first settlement was established. Due to severe labour shortages, the British sent convicts between 1850 and 1868 to help establish the settlements of Perth, its port Freemantle and Guilford - the latter a rich, fertile area to supply the inhabitants with food.
In 1890, gold was discovered in Kimberley and Kalgoorlue. A population explosion resulted and Perth became the area’s capital. In the 1940s it supplied minerals for WW11. Today, it’s economy relies heavily on minerals
On arrival last evening, we tried to stay up until midnight but I awoke at 03.45 and couldn’t sleep again! I finally surfaced at 11.00 !
We walked the 2 km Riverside Drive, the Swan river pedestrian walkway, into Barrack Street Jetty, where most of the tour operators are located. It was 25’ with a pleasant breeze.
En route we met the camels that can take you on a tour down Riverside Drive and its environs. The camels were the long haul method of transport in WA in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
I had booked online a trip to Margaret River, famous for its wineries, through Aviator, whose agents are Adams Pinnacle Tours. I visited them at Barrack St jetty to confirm our pick up at the hotel on Saturday morning - more anon....
The city is only 200 years old so it does not have the attractions of a European city. At nearby Barracks Square, we saw the Bell Tower.
The bells, dating from the 14th century, originated in the Church of St Martin in the Fields, London. The bells were rung to celebrate many historic occasions such as the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 and the victory at El Alameinin 1942 and the coronation of every British king since George 11in 1727. If you fancy, you can chime the bells yourself, an experience, I am reliably informed, is not available elsewhere on the planet!!
We continued up Barrack St towards the CBD. We passed the Supreme Court of W.A. set in a beautiful palm filled park. Match that Dublin!
Further on, what I thought was a Church, was indeed the Town Hall - the plaque outside recounted its history- almost 200 years old!
We turned into pedestrianised and smoke free Hay St Mall lined with colourful, autumnal trees to protect shoppers from the sun.
We continued into Murray Mall, where the Wesleylian Church was holding an exhibition on a modern interpretation of the Stations of the Cross - it is after all Holy Thursday!
We took the CAT -a 3 line circular free bus service servicing the CBD and its surroundings. The red line took us back to our hotel, where we will await J’s arrival. En route we passed St George’s Cathedral, of architectural interest in that the old church has a very modern extension to the front.
Two other points of interest which time may deny me a visit are the Perth Cultural Centre and Kings Park, reputed to be the largest city park in the world!
More tomorrow - from Rottnest Island.......
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