
Perth is the capital of Western Australia, a state that covers over 2.5 million square kilometres and is home to diverse climates, landscapes, and a rich Aboriginal history. With a population of over 2.3 million people, Perth is Western Australia's economic centre, boasting a thriving service industry and a bustling international airport. The city is situated on the Swan Coastal Plain, with the metropolitan area divided by the Swan and Canning rivers. Perth is known for its sunny climate, spectacular natural surroundings, and vibrant city life, making it a popular tourist destination and a cultural hub.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Perth |
| Population | 2.3 million within Greater Perth as of 2023 |
| Population rank | Fourth-most populous city in Australia |
| Climate | Hot-summer Mediterranean |
| Average hours of sunshine | 8.8 hours per day |
| Average hours of sunshine per year | 3,200 hours |
| Average clear days per year | 138.7 days |
| Average number of days per year with temperatures above 35 °C | 26 days |
| Average number of days per year with temperatures above 40 °C | 5 days |
| Main rivers | Swan River, Canning River |
| Indigenous name | Boorloo |
| Economy | Perth dominates the Western Australian economy |
| Economy rank | Capital city with the highest tourism revenue in Western Australia |
| Airport | Perth Airport |
| Tourist attractions | Serene, uncrowded beaches, parklands and fresh seafood |
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What You'll Learn

Perth is the capital of Western Australia
Perth was founded by Captain James Stirling in 1829 as the administrative centre of the Swan River Colony. The city has expanded outward from the original British settlements on the Swan River, upon which its central business district and port of Fremantle are situated. The Swan River is also known as Derbarl Yerrigan, named for the native black swans that populate it. The largest river flowing through Perth, it was discovered by Willem de Vlamingh, captain of a Dutch expedition, in 1697.
Perth is the economic centre of Western Australia, despite the major mining, petroleum, and agricultural export industries being located elsewhere in the state. It has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, sunny, and dry summers and relatively mild and wet winters. Perth is Australia's sunniest capital city, with around 3,200 hours of sunshine and 138.7 clear days annually.
Perth is known for its serene, uncrowded beaches, parklands, and fresh seafood. It is also a major centre for services associated with the state's mining sector. Perth Airport is one of the busiest airports in the country, serving as a hub for both passenger and air freight transit.
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Perth is the fourth-most populous city in Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. It is the fourth-most populous city in Australia, with a population of over 2 million within Greater Perth.
Perth was founded by Captain James Stirling in 1829 as the administrative centre of the Swan River Colony. The city is situated on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people, where Aboriginal Australians have lived for at least 48,000 years. The first areas settled were on the Swan River, with the city's central business district and port (Fremantle) both located on its shores. The Perth Metropolitan Region includes 30 local government areas, which consist of a large number of suburbs, extending from Two Rocks in the north to Rockingham in the south, and east inland to The Lakes.
The metropolitan contours span 125 kilometres (78 mi) from Two Rocks in the north to Singleton in the south, and 45 kilometres (28 mi) from the west coast to Sawyers Valley in the east. The metropolitan area of Perth lies on the Swan Coastal Plain, a narrow strip between the Indian Ocean and the Darling Scarp, a low coastal escarpment. Perth is one of the most isolated major cities in the world, with the nearest city of comparable size, Adelaide, over 2,100 km (1,305 mi) away. It is closer to Jakarta, Indonesia (3,000 km or 1,900 mi) than to Sydney (3,300 km or 2,100 mi).
Perth's population has grown substantially over the years, particularly after World War II due to a high net migration rate. Post-war immigrants were predominantly from the British Isles and Southern Europe, while more recent arrivals include a growing population of Asian descent. During the late 20th and early 21st centuries, a series of mining booms in Western Australia propelled Perth into the role of the regional headquarters for significant mining operations.
Perth has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, with summers that are generally hot, sunny, and dry, and winters that are relatively mild and wet. It is Australia's sunniest capital city, with an average of 8.8 hours of sunshine per day, equating to around 3,200 hours of sunshine and 138.7 clear days annually.
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Perth's central business district is known as Boorloo
Perth is the capital city of Western Australia. It is the fourth-most populous city in Australia, with a population of over 2.3 million within Greater Perth as of 2023. Perth is also considered the world's most isolated major city by certain criteria. The city was founded by Captain James Stirling in 1829 as the administrative centre of the Swan River Colony. The city is situated on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people, where Aboriginal Australians have lived for tens of thousands of years.
Perth's central business district (CBD) is known as Boorloo. The name Boorloo was initially recorded by Robert Menli Lyon as "Boorlo" in 1833, which was interpreted as "Perth, properly Point Fraser", a location in East Perth. Lyon also gave the name "Byerbrup" to the highlands stretching from Mount Eliza through the centre of Perth. In 1947, Ludwig Glauert posited that Lyon may have misunderstood his sources and that "boorloo" or "belo" (now transcribed as "bilya") is simply the Noongar word for "river". Another source has interpreted Boorloo to mean "big swamp", referring to the chain of lakes where the CBD and Northbridge are located.
The Noongar name Boorloo is sometimes used to refer to the central business district, the local government area, or the capital city of Perth in general. The City of Perth Boorloo Heritage Festival, held annually in April, celebrates the rich and varied history of the city. The festival includes a variety of events, such as virtual reality experiences, bush medicine workshops, heritage walking tours, and cultural activities for children.
Perth's CBD is bounded by the Swan River to the south and east, with Kings Park on the western end and the railway reserve as the northern border. The Perth City Link project involved sinking a section of the railway line to allow easy pedestrian access between Northbridge and the CBD. The central business district and the surrounding metropolitan area of Perth include several urban centres, such as Armadale, Fremantle, Joondalup, Midland, and Rockingham. These areas were originally separate settlements that retained their distinct identities even after being incorporated into the wider metropolitan region.
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Perth has a Mediterranean climate
Perth is the capital city of Western Australia. It is the fourth-most populous city in Australia, with a population of over 2.3 million within Greater Perth as of 2023. The city is situated on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people, where Aboriginal Australians have lived for at least 48,000 years.
Summers in Perth are typically hot and dry, with temperatures above 35 °C (95 °F) occurring on average 26 times per year, and temperatures above 40 °C (104 °F) occurring on average 5 times per year. However, summers are not completely devoid of rain, with sporadic rainfall in the form of short-lived thunderstorms and cold fronts. The average rainfall for December to February is 43.1 mm (1.70 in), with rain falling on 4.9 days on average.
Winters in Perth are relatively mild and wet, providing a contrast to the hot and dry summers. While the city experiences moderate rainfall during the winter months, it is worth noting that tropical cyclones have never hit Perth, as the sea surface temperatures are too low for their formation. Instead, remnants of ex-tropical cyclones from the northwest of Western Australia can bring heavy rain to the region.
The Mediterranean climate of Perth, with its mix of hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, makes it a unique and diverse city in terms of weather conditions, contributing to its reputation as a sought-after tourist destination.
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Perth is the administrative centre for business and government in Western Australia
Perth is the capital city of Western Australia. It is the fourth-most-populous city in Australia, with a population of over 2.3 million within Greater Perth as of 2023. The city is situated on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people, where Aboriginal Australians have lived for at least 48,000 years. Perth was founded by Captain James Stirling in 1829 as the administrative centre of the Swan River Colony. The Swan River Colony was established by the British in 1827 and claimed Western Australia in 1829. The name "Perth" comes from the city of Perth in Scotland, in honour of the Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, and Member for Perthshire in the British House of Commons, Sir George Murray. The Noongar name "Boorloo" is also used to refer to the city and its central business district.
Perth is the dominant force in the Western Australian economy, serving as the administrative centre for business and government. This is despite the fact that the major mining, petroleum, and agricultural export industries are located elsewhere in the state. The city's role as the state capital and its large population have created opportunities for businesses serving local or more diversified markets. Perth's economy has been shifting towards service industries since the 1950s, although it still provides significant services related to the resources industry and agriculture. The city's relative geographical isolation has prevented the development of manufacturing industries, except those serving the immediate needs of its residents.
Perth is the only city along Australia's western coastline with a population of over 1 million. It is divided by the Swan and Canning rivers and has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate. The metropolitan area of Perth spans 125 kilometres from Two Rocks in the north to Singleton in the south and 45 kilometres from the west coast to Sawyers Valley in the east. The central business district and most of the suburbs are located on the sandy and relatively flat Swan Coastal Plain, which lies between the Darling Scarp and the Indian Ocean.
Perth is home to all five of Western Australia's universities. It is served by Fremantle Harbour, one of the busiest ports in the country, and Perth Airport, a major hub for both passenger and air freight transit. The city has a local government and hosts elections for its citizens. Perth is also a major centre for mining-related services, with Western Australia's mining sector being a key driver of the state's economy. The city's infrastructure includes widespread urban development alongside its rivers, and it is ranked as one of the world's most liveable cities.
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Frequently asked questions
Perth.
Over 2.3 million as of 2023.
Perth has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate. Winters are relatively mild and wet, and summers are hot and dry. Perth has an average of 8.8 hours of sunshine per day, making it Australia's sunniest capital city.
Perth is the administrative centre for business and government in Western Australia. It is also a hub for service industries, and its function as the state capital has created development opportunities for businesses serving local markets.
Perth is the fourth-most populous city in Australia and is known for its serene, uncrowded beaches, parklands, and fresh seafood. It is also the world's most isolated major city, with a diverse range of climates and landscapes, including deserts and tropical conditions.


















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