Western Australia

Human settlement in Western Australia stretches back tens of thousands of years, with the state serving as home to rich and enduring Aboriginal cultures long before the arrival of Europeans. The British established the Swan River Colony in 1829—now known as Perth—marking the beginning of significant European influence in the region. The gold rushes that swept through in the late nineteenth century accelerated economic growth and left an indelible mark on the state’s development.

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Western Australia is truly immense, spanning over 2.5 million square kilometres—approximately one-third of the Australian continent—making it the nation’s largest state and more than seven times the size of Germany.