List of heritage buildings in Perth, Western Australia Facts for Kids

Trinity Uniting Church, built in 1897.

Perth, Western Australia, was first settled by British people in 1829. It was originally called the Swan River Colony. Many of the old buildings from that time are still standing today. These special buildings are protected because they are important parts of history. This article lists some of these significant buildings in and around Perth, showing examples of government, religious, home, business, and school buildings.

In the 1800s, Western Australia faced challenges like not having enough people or money. But in the 1890s, something big happened: the gold rushes! Lots of people came from other parts of Australia and from overseas. This brought new wealth and led to many beautiful and strong buildings being built in Perth from the 1890s to the early 1900s. Famous examples include the Palace Hotel, Perth, the Esplanade Hotel, Fremantle, and His Majesty's Theatre, Perth.

Protecting Perth's Past
- New Laws for Old Buildings
Historic Buildings of Perth
- 1830s
- 1840s
- 1850s
- 1860s
- 1870s
- 1880s
- 1890s
- 1900s
- 1910s
- 1920s
- 1930s
See also

Protecting Perth's Past

In the late 1950s, some people became worried that Perth's old buildings and natural places might be lost. So, in 1959, they started a group called the National Trust of Australia (WA). Their main goal was to teach everyone why it's important to protect our history and landscapes. Back then, there were no laws to officially protect these places. The National Trust worked hard to show how important these heritage sites were.

New Laws for Old Buildings

Later, in the 1960s and 70s, Perth had another big growth period because of a mining boom. Sadly, during this time, many early 1900s buildings were pulled down, especially along St Georges Terrace. People started to realize what they were losing. There were big public campaigns to save buildings like the Barracks Arch and the Palace Hotel.

Because of these concerns, a special law was finally passed in 1990 called the Heritage Act of WA. This law created the Heritage Council, which now officially recognizes and protects historical places. This means these buildings are safe from being easily demolished. There's a separate law, the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, that protects important Aboriginal heritage sites.

Today, thousands of places across Western Australia are recognized for their historical importance. Protecting and looking after these heritage sites helps us understand WA's history, culture, and environment.

Historic Buildings of Perth

This list shows some of Perth's oldest and most important buildings. They are listed by when they were built.

Building	Built Around	What it was used for
1830s
The Round House Fremantle	1830	This was built as a prison soon after the Swan River Colony started.
The Old Mill South Perth	1835	Also known as Shenton's Mill, this was a mill for grinding grain.
The Old Court House Perth	1836–1837	This is Perth's oldest public building still standing. Today, it's a law education center and museum.
Tranby House Maylands	1839	Built by a group of religious settlers called the Tranby People.
1840s
All Saints Church Upper Swan	1838–1840	This is the oldest church in Western Australia that is still standing.
St John's Pro-Cathedral Perth	1843–1844	The very first Roman Catholic church building in Western Australia.
Shenton House Crawley	1846	A large house that is now part of the University of Western Australia.
1850s
Old Perth Boys School Perth	1854	This building was a school and is now owned by the National Trust of Australia (WA).
Perth Gaol Northbridge	1856	This was an old prison, located behind the Western Australian Museum.
The Cloisters Perth	1858	This was Western Australia's first secondary school for boys.
Fremantle Prison Fremantle	1852–1859	A large prison that is now a popular heritage site.
The Deanery Perth	1859	Built as a home for the first Dean of Perth.
Bishop's House Perth	1859	This was the home of Bishop Mathew Blagden Hale.
1860s
Archbishop's Palace Perth	1860	Built for the Catholic Bishop of Perth.
Barracks Arch Perth	1863	This arch is all that remains of a larger building. It was saved by public protests in the 1960s.
Government House Perth	1859–1864	This is the official home of the Governor of Western Australia.
Fremantle Arts Centre Fremantle	1861–1864	This building was originally a "lunatic asylum" (a hospital for mental health).
Trinity Church Perth	1865 (Chapel), 1897 (Church)	The chapel was built in 1865, and the main church was added later.
St Mary's Cathedral Perth	1865 (Western end)	A large and important church in Perth.
1870s
Perth Town Hall Perth	1868–1870	This town hall was built using the labor of convicts.
Wesley Church Perth	1870	An important church located in the city center.
St. Mary's Church Middle Swan	1870	Located near where an even older church used to be.
Central Government Offices Perth	1874	These buildings were once Perth's main Post Office.
1880s
Royal Hotel Perth	1882	A historic hotel that is now part of the Raine Square complex.
Fremantle Grammar School Fremantle	1885	This school was started by Henry Briggs.
Fremantle Town Hall Fremantle	1887	The town hall for the city of Fremantle.
Court Hotel Northbridge	1888	A well-known hotel in Northbridge.
St George's Cathedral Perth	1888	A major cathedral in Perth, currently being renovated.
1890s
St George's House Perth	1892	Designed by Talbot Hobbs.
The Weld Club Perth	1892	Also designed by Talbot Hobbs.
Perth Railway Station Perth	1893–1894	The main train station for Perth.
Theatre Royal & Metropole Hotel Perth	1894–1897	A historic theatre and hotel building.
The Palace Hotel Perth	1896	A grand hotel that now serves as offices for a bank.
The Esplanade Hotel Fremantle	1896	A large and historic hotel in Fremantle.
Beaufort Street Terraces Highgate	1897	These buildings are now used as doctors' offices and homes.
Fremantle Markets Fremantle	1897	A famous market building in Fremantle.
Perth Mint Perth	1896–1899	Australia's oldest working place where coins are made.
Old Perth Observatory West Perth	1896–1900	This building is now the headquarters for the National Trust in WA.
Jubilee Building North Perth	1899	Part of the Western Australian Museum.
1900s
The Old Perth Fire Station Perth	1900	Perth's first building made just for a fire station. It's now a museum.
His Majesty's Theatre Perth	1904	This was the biggest theatre in Australia when it was built. It's still used today!
The North Mole Lighthouse Fremantle	1906	This lighthouse and its twin are unique navigation lights in WA.
1910s
The Old Perth Technical School Perth	1910	Western Australia's first higher education building.
Wireless Hill Museum Applecross	1912	Originally a wireless station for sending messages.
The Albany Bell Castle Perth	1914	This building looks like a castle and was once a bakery factory.
Anzac Cottage Mount Hawthorn	1915	A special cottage built to honor soldiers.
1920s
General Post Office, Perth Perth	1923	The main post office building for Perth.
Young Australia League building Perth	1924	A building for the Young Australia League.
1930s
Salvation Army Congress Hall (former) Perth	1929–1930	This building was once a Salvation Army hall.
Atlas Building Perth	1931	This building now houses the Museum of Perth.
St Joseph's Church Subiaco	1933–1934	A church designed in the "Interwar Gothic" style.
First Church of Christ, Scientist, Perth Perth	1939	An Art Deco style church.