1. Where is it?
2. European Beginnings
In October 1616 Dirk Hartog, in the Eendracht, a Dutch East India Company ship, became the first European to set foot on the western shores of Australia.
For more than two centuries afterwards Dutch, English and French navigators explored and mapped the west coast. However, no European settlement was established in the west, because the land was seen as inhospitable, offering little economic potential. It was only when increased French exploration in the region suggested to Britain that France might attempt to establish a colony in the west that the British felt compelled to act. In 1829, the Swan River Colony was established on the Swan River by Captain James Stirling. By 1832, the British settler population of the colony had reached around 1500. And the official name of the colony was changed to WA. It was the first free-settler colony in Australia established by private capital. From 1850, convicts began to arrive at the colony in large numbers to build roads and other public infrastructure. |
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3. Symbols
The official animal of Western Australia is the Numbat.
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The badge and flag of Western Australia.
The official flower of Western Australia is the the Red and Green Kangaroo Paw.
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The official fossil of Western Australia is the go-go fish.
The official bird of Western Australia is the Black Swan.
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The official fish of Western Australia is the Whale Shark.
The official colours of Western Australia are black and gold.
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4. Big Things
The Big Banana
The Big Banana is located in Canarvan. It was built in 1986 in Queensland, but was moved to Canarvan, Western Australia in 1988. |
The Big Bobtail
The Big Bobtail is located in Kalamunda. It was carved out of rammed earth in 2012 and represents the blue-tongue skink living in the area. |
The Big Camera
The Big Camera is in Meckering. It is actually the entrance to a building, the Museum of photography. |
The Big Cow
The Big Cow is located at Brunswick Junction. It stands as a testament to the farming families of the town. Locals have a name for her - 'Daisy'. |
The Big Crocodile
The Big Crocodile is located at Wyndham. It is 20 m long and 3 m high. It is a reminder to everyone that saltwater crocodiles live in the Waters there. It was built in 1987. |
The Big Orange
The Big Orange is located at Harvey. It sits on a 10 meter high stand. You can then go up another 4 m inside the big orange. |
The Big Ram
The Big Ram is located in Wagin. The Big Ram was built in 1985. It is just over 9 m tall. |
The Big Whale
The Big Leeuwin Way Whale is located at Eulcla. The big whale is 10 m long and weighs 4000 kg |
The Big Lollipop
The Big Lollipop is located at Ravensthorpe. It is 7.5 m tall, and 4 m wide and stands outside the Yummylicious Candy Shack. It was built in 2019. |
The Big Snail
The Big Snail is located at Bremer Bay. It is 10,000 times the size of a regular style and weighs 700 kg. It is modelled after the south coast land snail which lives in the area. |
The Periodic
Table The Periodic Table is located on the side of the building at Western Australia University. It was built for the 150 anniversary of the periodic tables creation in 2019. |
The Big Prawn
The Big Prawn is located at Ningaloo Visitor Centre, Exmouth. The big prawn is 4 m tall. It was constructed in 2004. |
The Big
Sculptures The Big Sculptures are part of an outdoor art gallery at Lake Ballard. There are 51 sculptures all made from steel. Local people posed for the artist and the art display was installed in 2003. |
The Big Bin
The Big Bin is located in the Kalgoorlie - Boulder Region. It stands at 8 m high and topped with wire handles. The local school children decorated the bottom area. It was erected in 1980 to encourage people to keep Kalgoorlie tidy. |
5. Perth
Interesting Facts About Perth
Did You Know:
Did You Know:
- Perth is considered the sixth most liveable city in the world.
- Put some sunscreen on, because Perth gets more hours of sunshine than any other city in Australia.
- Kings Park in Perth is the world’s largest inner-city park. It’s even bigger than New York City’s Central Park.
- People who live in Perth are known as Perthites or Perthians.
- Not too far from Perth is Rottnest Island, one of the only places in the world to meet a cute quokka.
Things to See and Do in Perth
Elizabeth Quay
Elizabeth Quay is Perth’s leading entertainment area. Whilst there, be sure to visit Spanda. Standing at 29 metres, this incredible structure represents the Swan River and its connection to the land and sky.
Lotterywest Federation Walkway
Rising 53 metres into the air, this walkway has spectacular views of the city and the Canning and Swan Rivers.
The Bell Tower
At nearly 83 metres tall, the Bell Tower towers over the Perth CBD. Visit the Bell Tower to get the best views of the Swan River. If you want to hear the Swan Bells ring, visit the tower on Thursday or Sunday between 12 and 1pm.
Discover the Perth Zoo
Get in touch with your wild side at one of Perth’s most famous zoos. Meet a wide range of unique animals, such as lions, little penguins, sun bears and Tasmanian devils.
Check Out the Perth Mint
Learn about one of the world’s most precious metals at the Perth Mint. Take a guided tour of the mint’s heritage building and vaults or watch a live gold pour.
Take time off at the Queens Gardens
The Queens Gardens opened in 1899 and was named after Queen Victoria. It continues to be a beautiful oasis within Perth. Explore the gardens and water lily filled lakes. Keep an eye out for the Peter Pan Statue!
Relax at Cottesloe Beach
Featuring a kilometre of sandy shore, Cottesloe Beach is perfect for a summer getaway. Go for a swim or relax as you watch the waves roll in.
Shop at the Freemantle Markets
If you have a weekend free, be sure to visit Perth’s most popular markets. Running for well over 100 years, the Freemantle Markets feature local produce, delicious food and plenty of homemade crafts.
Elizabeth Quay
Elizabeth Quay is Perth’s leading entertainment area. Whilst there, be sure to visit Spanda. Standing at 29 metres, this incredible structure represents the Swan River and its connection to the land and sky.
Lotterywest Federation Walkway
Rising 53 metres into the air, this walkway has spectacular views of the city and the Canning and Swan Rivers.
The Bell Tower
At nearly 83 metres tall, the Bell Tower towers over the Perth CBD. Visit the Bell Tower to get the best views of the Swan River. If you want to hear the Swan Bells ring, visit the tower on Thursday or Sunday between 12 and 1pm.
Discover the Perth Zoo
Get in touch with your wild side at one of Perth’s most famous zoos. Meet a wide range of unique animals, such as lions, little penguins, sun bears and Tasmanian devils.
Check Out the Perth Mint
Learn about one of the world’s most precious metals at the Perth Mint. Take a guided tour of the mint’s heritage building and vaults or watch a live gold pour.
Take time off at the Queens Gardens
The Queens Gardens opened in 1899 and was named after Queen Victoria. It continues to be a beautiful oasis within Perth. Explore the gardens and water lily filled lakes. Keep an eye out for the Peter Pan Statue!
Relax at Cottesloe Beach
Featuring a kilometre of sandy shore, Cottesloe Beach is perfect for a summer getaway. Go for a swim or relax as you watch the waves roll in.
Shop at the Freemantle Markets
If you have a weekend free, be sure to visit Perth’s most popular markets. Running for well over 100 years, the Freemantle Markets feature local produce, delicious food and plenty of homemade crafts.
History of Perth
The Noongar people have lived on the land where Perth stands for over 45,000 years.
The British Government established the Swan River Colony in 1829 in the west of Australia.The area which would eventually be known as Perth was founded 19 kilometres up the Swan River.
Perth gained its official city status in 1856 and was named after a Scottish town.
The Noongar people have lived on the land where Perth stands for over 45,000 years.
The British Government established the Swan River Colony in 1829 in the west of Australia.The area which would eventually be known as Perth was founded 19 kilometres up the Swan River.
Perth gained its official city status in 1856 and was named after a Scottish town.
6. Aboriginal Heritage
7. The Bungle Bungle Range
The Bungle Bungles are located in the World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park, in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
More than 350 million years old and unknown to many until 1983, the Bungle Bungle Range is one of the most unique and captivating natural landmarks on the planet. From the air and on foot, its vast orange-and-black sandstone structures are spectacular. Visitors can explore the ranges on foot, take a scenic flight and camp. |
8. ningaloo reef
Ningaloo Reef and Shark Bay
Ningaloo Reef and Shark Bay are located on the north-west coastal region of Western Australia and both are listed as World Heritage Sites.
The Ningaloo Reef is something special. It's the world’s largest fringing reef, it covers 5000 square kilometres of the ocean. Its' massive size means it’s home to a huge range of marine life, including hundreds of different fish and coral species.
It also sees some larger animal friends, like manta rays, dolphins, and sea turtles, and is also one of the few places in the world that sees whale sharks come together in such large numbers.
Shark Bay has exceptional natural features, including diverse seagrass beds and fossils called stromatolites (deposits that are said to be the oldest lifeforms on Earth).
Visitors to Ningaloo Reef and Shark Bay can snorkel, dive, sail, watch wildlife and camp.
Ningaloo Reef and Shark Bay are located on the north-west coastal region of Western Australia and both are listed as World Heritage Sites.
The Ningaloo Reef is something special. It's the world’s largest fringing reef, it covers 5000 square kilometres of the ocean. Its' massive size means it’s home to a huge range of marine life, including hundreds of different fish and coral species.
It also sees some larger animal friends, like manta rays, dolphins, and sea turtles, and is also one of the few places in the world that sees whale sharks come together in such large numbers.
Shark Bay has exceptional natural features, including diverse seagrass beds and fossils called stromatolites (deposits that are said to be the oldest lifeforms on Earth).
Visitors to Ningaloo Reef and Shark Bay can snorkel, dive, sail, watch wildlife and camp.
9. National Parks
Western Australia, as of 2023, has 112 national parks, of which all but four are named. The oldest of these, John Forrest, was proclaimed in 1900 while the latest, Pimbee and Bunuba, were proclaimed in 2023.
Karijini National Park
The Banyjima, Innawonga and Kurrama people are the traditional owners of Karijini National Park. This is Western Australia’s second largest national park. Erosion has slowly carved this red landscape out of rock that is over 2.5 billion years old. Karijini National Park is located in the Pilbara, and is great place to indulge your adventurous side. You can step into Karijini’s rust-red terrain and be transported back two billion years. Find yourself dwarfed by towering gorges, descend into chasms, and scramble over boulders. When it’s time to cool down, sparkling pools, waterways and waterfalls like lush Weano Gorge are the perfect places to make a splash. Feeling tired? Then you can walk the trails where wildflowers burst into bloom from June to September. |
Nambung National Park
The Yued people are the traditional owners of Nambung National Park. Pinnacles Desert The Pinnacles Desert is surrounded by coastal plains, white sand dunes, and beautiful swimming beaches. The shifting dune systems and low heathland support a rich variety of flowering plants. From August to October blooming wildflowers and vistas of wattles stretch from horizon to horizon. Lake Thetis Like the famous stromatolites of Hamelin Pool in Shark Bay, the rock-like structures on the edge of Lake Thetis are built by micro-organisms too small for the human eye to see. The stromatolite-building micro-organisms of Lake Thetis resemble the earliest forms of life on Earth. The discovery of modern examples helped scientists to understand the significance of micro-organisms in the environment and unravel the long history of life on Earth. |
Cape Le Grand National Park
The Wudjari people are the traditional owners of Cape Le Grand National Park.
The park is near Esperance.
This ancient, rugged coastline has large granite outcrops, and white beaches. It’s perfect for swimming, surfing, fishing and boating in these picture-perfect bays.
Inland, the rolling heathlands are home to pygmy possums, western grey kangaroos and a diversity of colourful wildflowers including dense thickets of showy banksia. Bush walking and rock climbing are offered at Mount Le Grand and Frenchman’s Peak.
Kangaroos are a big part of Australia but many people don’t get to see them up close and personal. At Cape Le Grand National Park you are able to see them right on the beach. The kangaroos love to soak up the sunlight offered on the back.
The Wudjari people are the traditional owners of Cape Le Grand National Park.
The park is near Esperance.
This ancient, rugged coastline has large granite outcrops, and white beaches. It’s perfect for swimming, surfing, fishing and boating in these picture-perfect bays.
Inland, the rolling heathlands are home to pygmy possums, western grey kangaroos and a diversity of colourful wildflowers including dense thickets of showy banksia. Bush walking and rock climbing are offered at Mount Le Grand and Frenchman’s Peak.
Kangaroos are a big part of Australia but many people don’t get to see them up close and personal. At Cape Le Grand National Park you are able to see them right on the beach. The kangaroos love to soak up the sunlight offered on the back.
10. Animals
Quokkas
The Quokka was described by early Dutch explorer, Willem de Vlamingh, 'as a kind of rat as big as a common cat'. He named the island Rottenest ('rat nest') in honour of this sighting. The island is now known as Rottnest Island. Description
Mainland:
Distribution
Feeding and diet
Other behaviours and adaptations
Life Cycle
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Numbat
Description
Habitat
Distribution
Feeding and Diet
Other Behaviours and adaptations
Lifecycle
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Western Rosella
Description
Other Behaviours and Adaptions
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Desert Death Adder
Description
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Activities
Perth Questions
1. Download and print the worksheet. 2. Go to section 5 on the webpage for your answers. |
Find a Word
If you enjoy find a words, try this one. 1. Download the worksheet and print to the library printer. 2. Highlight the words as you find them. |
Notes to Sentences
1. Download the worksheet and print to the library printer. 2. Choose 3 notes and write them in sentences. |
Distances in the WA
1. Download the worksheet and print to the library printer. 2. Look at the map and choose 3 towns. 3. Using Google search find the distance between each of the 3 towns and Perth - e.g. Perth to Broome. 4. Record your answers. |
Map Reading
1. Download the worksheet and print to the library printer. 2. Find Western Australia 3. Colour the states that share a border with Western Australia. |
Fact and Opinion National Parks
1. Download the worksheet and print it to the library printer. 2. Read Section 9 of the website and choose a National park to complete your worksheet. |
MAKE a TIMELINE
1. Re-read Section 4. Big Things. 2. Make notes in your exercise book of 5 big things and when they were created. 3. Construct a timeline in your book. |
Writing a Paragraph 1. Choose one animal from section 10. 2. Using the Heading, choose 1 Subheadings and the dot points underneath. 3. Write the dot points as completete sentences and make a paragraph about your chosen animal. |