Perth, Tasmania facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Perth Tasmania
Post office in Perth, Tasmania
Perth Location in Tasmania
Established	1821
Postcode(s)	7300
Elevation	164 m (538 ft)
Location	182 km (113 mi) N of Hobart 100 km (62 mi) SE of Devonport 17 km (11 mi) S of Launceston 50 km (31 mi) NNW of Campbell Town
LGA(s)	Northern Midlands Council
State electorate(s)	Lyons
Federal Division(s)	Lyons
Localities around Perth: Carrick Devon Hills Western Junction Longford Perth Evandale Longford Powranna Powranna

Perth is a cool town in Tasmania, Australia. It's about 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Launceston, right on the Midland Highway. In 2021, about 3,233 people lived there. Perth is part of the Northern Midlands Council.

Just like its neighbor Longford, Perth is a historic place. Many of its buildings are from the early 1800s! It's often the first big town you see when driving from Launceston towards Hobart. It's also a key spot for travelers heading to the northwest of Tasmania.

History of Perth

Perth was first settled in 1821. Governor Lachlan Macquarie gave it its name. He was staying with a local farmer, David Gibson, and named the town after Gibson's hometown, Perth, Scotland. Perth officially became a township in 1836.

An artist named John Skinner Prout painted a picture of Perth in 1845. His painting showed parts of the inland mountains in the background. Later, in 1874, Edward Paxham Brandard made an engraving of this painting.

Cool Places to See

Perth Baptist Church

The Perth Baptist church first opened its doors in 1862. It's a special building because of its long history, its large size, and its interesting design.

Perth Baptist church

Gibbet Hill

Queen's Head Inn, Perth Tasmania

There's a place called Gibbet Hill near Perth. In 1837, a very unusual event happened there. A man named John McKay had committed a serious crime. His body was placed on display near the spot where the crime happened. This was a very old practice that had already stopped in England.

Many people were upset by this sight. Eventually, a friend of the victim saw the body and asked the authorities to remove it. This was the last time such an event happened in a British colony. Today, you can still see a sign that says "Gibbet Hill" when you're driving towards Launceston.

Who Lives Here?

In 2016, about 2,965 people lived in Perth. By the 2021 Census, the population had grown to 3,233 people.