Swan River Colony
In 1697 the Dutch explorer, Willem DeVlamingh visited the western coastline of Australia, reporting he was not impressed with the countryside, however, he was very taken with the elegant black swan he observed inhabiting the river and surrounds. In recognition of these elegant birds he named the river – The River of the Black Swan.
In March 1827 Capt James Stirling was commissioned by the English Government in New South Wales to “check out” the west coast of the country as it had been reported the French were showing increasing interest in the area.
Capt Stirling landed in the HMS Success, mooring just off Rottnest Island. He selected 17 of his crew, used the vessel’s cutter and gig and ventured upstream. As the river was sealed off by a sand bar, the crew had to drag their vessel’s over this obstacle and take some four days to arrive in the upper reachs of the Swan River. Arriving in March, the hottest time of the year, the river at this point ran dry. Capt Stirling and his party camped, surveyed the region and were delighted with their findings. Rich soil and plenty of underground water. Capt Stirling took the opportunity to plant vegetables and fruit trees.
Capt Stirling returned 2 years later in convoy with Capt Fremantle. This time venturing as far up the river as what today is known as Guildford recognising the perfect location on the river for an inland port, situated in the heart of rich agricultural land.
Captain James Stirling became the state’s first Governor.
Guildford is acknowledged as the oldest historic town in Western Australia and now protected by the Australian National Trust.
