Perth, Western Australia, holds a rich history that bridges millennia. Archaeological findings reveal that humans have inhabited the Perth region for at least 48,000 years, with the Noongar people, particularly the Whadjuk clan, considering it their home since "time immemorial." The wetlands of the Swan Coastal Plain were central to Noongar culture, serving both as a vital food source and a feature of deep spiritual significance.

At the time of British settlement, the area now encompassing Perth’s central business district was part of the Mooro territory, led by Noongar elder Yellagonga. The Whadjuk were one of several Noongar clans around the Swan River, forming part of a broader Noongar socio-linguistic group covering the southwest of Western Australia. Their language and traditions reflect a deep connection to the land, which continues to hold significance today.

In modern times, recognition of this heritage culminated in significant legal and governmental milestones. In 2006, the Federal Court of Australia ruled that Noongar native title persisted over the Perth metropolitan area. Although parts of this ruling were challenged, it laid the groundwork for the South West Native Title Settlement, finalized in 2021. As part of the settlement, the Noongar (Koorah, Nitja, Boordahwan) Recognition Act of 2016 officially recognized the Noongar people as the traditional custodians of southwest Western Australia.

European contact began in earnest with Dutch Captain Willem de Vlamingh, who arrived on January 10, 1697. Leading the first documented exploration of Perth’s region, de Vlamingh and his crew ventured up the Swan River, naming it the Swarte Swaene-Revier due to the prevalence of black swans. Despite their findings, European explorers deemed the area unsuitable for settlement due to its perceived lack of arable land.

This complex history intertwines ancient Noongar traditions with European exploration and modern legal recognition, illustrating Perth’s profound cultural and historical depth.