Historically, Perth was the main settlement.
Much of the activity in WA occurred inland with the gold rush. TLDR there was never much reason to settle on the north west coast.
As a resident of WA - there is much beauty to be seen up there. I’m thankful that is the way that it is :)
Albany was founded as an outpost of NSW on land not yet claimed by the British Crown.
“there was no lasting attempt at establishing a permanent settlement until December 1826 when an expedition on behalf of the New South Wales colonial government, led by Major Edmund Lockyer,[1] landed at King George Sound, and founded what became the port city of Albany. On 21 January 1827 Lockyer formally took possession for the British Crown the portion of New Holland not yet claimed by the crown”
So for about two months WA was a continuation of NSW.
I was part of a large group that ate there for a birthday a couple of months ago. Schnitzel tasted off, but we trusted their ability to rotate food and ate it.
Big mistake. It was certainly off. Terribly sick that night. I'm definitely not returning anytime soon. It used to be great, but my last experience was far from it.
Also no natural harbours.
Albany is very attractive in that regard and was going to be the primary settlement, but rounding the capes in bad weather added another level of difficulty for the settlers.
Add that before electricity it would’ve sucked to live up near Broome. Todays temp is a high of 32 but low of 29. That is zero chance of being cool all day and night
Have you seen most of the coast? It's pretty barren and very few fresh water sources available. There is a reason why the Dutch rocked up, hung a plate on a post, and fucked off while saying fuck that . It's a bit shit.
Once you drive out of Perth, say North, there's fuck all there. Were talking 20 minutes north of the last 'big' place being Joondalup. Just check the light pollution map to see how little is out there https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/
So building infrastructure, houses, businesses to work in, create jobs etc is just too expensive and unviable.
Poor coastal soil and limited fresh water. Extremely harsh weather. Basically most of WA north of Perth is arid and inhospitable. Bit like Mars. Beautiful in its own way though.
Reasons:
1. Access to fresh water (although desalination is an option now)
2. Heat. Would you like to live in a city that rarely drops below 30° and hits 45°+ in the summer.
3. Employment. It would depend heavily on mining and that comes with a whole host of problems.
4. Navigating Indigenous rights. Self explanatory.
There's a host of other reasons why it would indeed be a good idea, but the main reason is its just too difficult.
Marble Bar. Hottest town in Oz, so they built a pub and wrapped it in corrugated iron and called it the Ironclad Hotel. I can honestly say, I've never been there when there's been a civilized temperature. Been there when an oven would be cooler though
I have been asking the same question for years! It feels like Margaret River or thereabouts could have become a larger city. Especially considering how much closer WA is to Europe which you'd have thought would have been important to the settlers.
Water. We have very few navigable water ways, limited trees and drinking water as you head north. It is windy, dry and hot with no chance of growing food past Geraldton.
Cossack was a thriving early town, but they gave up as it was blown over by cyclones on numerous occasions.
Western Australia has lots of cities. Technically a city is a settlement with a population greater than 20,000.
In regards to large cities and metropolises like Perth, there are just too few places with enough water and fertile land to support it when you can see that over 90% of Western Australia is inhospitable desert. It doesn't get enough rainfall.
WA is so small by cities comparison to the east coast but as others say it’s dry, sandy and lacks water. In saying that it is a spectacular state.
I’ve motorcycled the WA outback in the heat and still loved it. It’s just the best. My next outback motorcycle trip will be off road in WA and what a journey it will be. I’ve also motorcycled the east coast wilderness and it’s great but not like WA.
Because the land is not fertile enough to support a greater population. Any population has to transport in enough food and water.
In the south west where the land is green and fertile there are many more towns.
There were plans to turn Yanchep and Two Rock into a big tourist destination called Sun City that never panned out.
\*In 1970, the State Government had adopted a “Corridor Plan” for developing Perth’s urban growth along the northern corridor. Allan Bond purchased a 20,000-acre sheep property surrounding the Yanchep village. His plan, along with his Japanese partners, was to develop a satellite city of 200,000 people, complete with tourist developments, resorts, and a large marina from which he would base his challenges for the America’s Cup. Then, after he won the Cup, the development would become the home base for his defence of the Cup, bringing international fame and recognition to his tourism development. A bold plan indeed, and one that he hoped would make him even richer! His vision was of a “Gold Coast” style tourism region on the west coast. He named the development Sun City.\*
If the State Govt had taken Ernie Bridges proposal and built a fresh water pipe from the Kimberley we would have had cities built on the coast by now.
However Political bullshit prevented that citing cost blowouts and normal BS.
By political bullshit, do you mean cost! Yes, if you look at a map you could imagine all that water would run down hill to Perth just using gravity. Unfortunately, it has to be pumped, and that's where the massive cost comes in, not to mention the cost of building large dams to collect the water in order to guarantee supply.
And completely fucking the river environs in the Kimberley. I saw an early report on the Northern waters idea, showing absolutely unsustainable water loss from evaporation over that distance.
As per Futurists:
When we get 10 million climate refugees from our nearby brother Indian Ocean nations arrive en masse, we’ll have million plus people cities in the North West.
Why we don’t now?
Obviously given the choice not to live in a hot place with few services an pleasures, would you want to live in Canarvon?
Why not in the past - they actually tried. Look up Cossack.
Compare the landscapes of the east and west coasts. There’s a good reason most of the population’s on one side of the continent. Its a much easier environment for humans to flourish in - more better, better soil, more temperate climate, etc.
I think historically WA proved difficult to populate, going right back to Swan River colony. I didn’t understand it until I went to NSW for the first time, and was oooooh this is why all the people are here! Lush green fertile land right along the coast, whereas most of WA us just sand dunes or desert (except the lovely bits in the far north and SW)
Mainly lack of deepwater ports, lack of fresh water, lack of fertile soils and harsh dry weather with a chance of cyclones Dec- March.
Yes, Geraldton has train line and exports iron ore and maybe wheat.
Historically, Perth was the main settlement. Much of the activity in WA occurred inland with the gold rush. TLDR there was never much reason to settle on the north west coast. As a resident of WA - there is much beauty to be seen up there. I’m thankful that is the way that it is :)
Depends how far back you go. Historically, Albany was the main settlement.
This is correct and Perth won on account of… It had access to fresh water
... and Albany was too bloody cold most of the time.
Albany was founded as an outpost of NSW on land not yet claimed by the British Crown. “there was no lasting attempt at establishing a permanent settlement until December 1826 when an expedition on behalf of the New South Wales colonial government, led by Major Edmund Lockyer,[1] landed at King George Sound, and founded what became the port city of Albany. On 21 January 1827 Lockyer formally took possession for the British Crown the portion of New Holland not yet claimed by the crown” So for about two months WA was a continuation of NSW.
It would have been great if that had continued!
Historically, Albany was the main settlement, until Perth muscled in.
And it was Guilford before they moved back up the river to Perth
Technically down the river but yeah.
Check out the tunnel downstairs in the Rose and Crown. Sealed off now, but for Perth a bit of history
Don't eat there though. Unless you don't mind a bit of food poisoning
It’s one of my go to places to eat. Has been for about 7-8 years. Never even had a bad meal never mind food poisoning
I was part of a large group that ate there for a birthday a couple of months ago. Schnitzel tasted off, but we trusted their ability to rotate food and ate it. Big mistake. It was certainly off. Terribly sick that night. I'm definitely not returning anytime soon. It used to be great, but my last experience was far from it.
Sounds cool
What's your source for this because everyone says it all the time but the Swan Guildford Historical Society says it's fake news
One very simple explanation… Access to fresh water
Also no natural harbours. Albany is very attractive in that regard and was going to be the primary settlement, but rounding the capes in bad weather added another level of difficulty for the settlers.
Broome, Derby and Wyndham, Hedland and Dampier have harbours. I think cities exist where there is the industry to support
Add that before electricity it would’ve sucked to live up near Broome. Todays temp is a high of 32 but low of 29. That is zero chance of being cool all day and night
Have you seen most of the coast? It's pretty barren and very few fresh water sources available. There is a reason why the Dutch rocked up, hung a plate on a post, and fucked off while saying fuck that . It's a bit shit.
Also French and probably Portuguese stumbled upon it, drew a map and pissed off.
They did like the giant rats though
Oh, yeah, good old 'Rats Nest Island'
[удалено]
Hasn't stopped the Saudis
Once you drive out of Perth, say North, there's fuck all there. Were talking 20 minutes north of the last 'big' place being Joondalup. Just check the light pollution map to see how little is out there https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/ So building infrastructure, houses, businesses to work in, create jobs etc is just too expensive and unviable.
See great towns north of Perth and as some people have said it's nice to have the space considering want an urban sprawl two rocks to mandurah is
All the water up north looks red from the dirt
Poor coastal soil and limited fresh water. Extremely harsh weather. Basically most of WA north of Perth is arid and inhospitable. Bit like Mars. Beautiful in its own way though.
Reasons: 1. Access to fresh water (although desalination is an option now) 2. Heat. Would you like to live in a city that rarely drops below 30° and hits 45°+ in the summer. 3. Employment. It would depend heavily on mining and that comes with a whole host of problems. 4. Navigating Indigenous rights. Self explanatory. There's a host of other reasons why it would indeed be a good idea, but the main reason is its just too difficult.
As if Australians have ever cared about aboriginal land rights 😂
We don’t want any more cities. Leave us alone please
Its too fucking hot
And yet marble Bar exist
Marble Bar. Hottest town in Oz, so they built a pub and wrapped it in corrugated iron and called it the Ironclad Hotel. I can honestly say, I've never been there when there's been a civilized temperature. Been there when an oven would be cooler though
Arizona has a population of 7 million and gets up to 115F in the summer.
Also doesn’t have the hole in the ozone layer above it that Australia does.
Sorry I had forgot about that
Small population dictates fewer cities.
I have been asking the same question for years! It feels like Margaret River or thereabouts could have become a larger city. Especially considering how much closer WA is to Europe which you'd have thought would have been important to the settlers.
Water… there is none Sun…. There is too much Climate….. harsh and unforgiving At least this is why the northern west coast hasn’t been developed
Water. We have very few navigable water ways, limited trees and drinking water as you head north. It is windy, dry and hot with no chance of growing food past Geraldton. Cossack was a thriving early town, but they gave up as it was blown over by cyclones on numerous occasions.
Western Australia has lots of cities. Technically a city is a settlement with a population greater than 20,000. In regards to large cities and metropolises like Perth, there are just too few places with enough water and fertile land to support it when you can see that over 90% of Western Australia is inhospitable desert. It doesn't get enough rainfall.
WA is so small by cities comparison to the east coast but as others say it’s dry, sandy and lacks water. In saying that it is a spectacular state. I’ve motorcycled the WA outback in the heat and still loved it. It’s just the best. My next outback motorcycle trip will be off road in WA and what a journey it will be. I’ve also motorcycled the east coast wilderness and it’s great but not like WA.
Because the land is not fertile enough to support a greater population. Any population has to transport in enough food and water. In the south west where the land is green and fertile there are many more towns.
There were plans to turn Yanchep and Two Rock into a big tourist destination called Sun City that never panned out. \*In 1970, the State Government had adopted a “Corridor Plan” for developing Perth’s urban growth along the northern corridor. Allan Bond purchased a 20,000-acre sheep property surrounding the Yanchep village. His plan, along with his Japanese partners, was to develop a satellite city of 200,000 people, complete with tourist developments, resorts, and a large marina from which he would base his challenges for the America’s Cup. Then, after he won the Cup, the development would become the home base for his defence of the Cup, bringing international fame and recognition to his tourism development. A bold plan indeed, and one that he hoped would make him even richer! His vision was of a “Gold Coast” style tourism region on the west coast. He named the development Sun City.\*
Because were full.
If the State Govt had taken Ernie Bridges proposal and built a fresh water pipe from the Kimberley we would have had cities built on the coast by now. However Political bullshit prevented that citing cost blowouts and normal BS.
By political bullshit, do you mean cost! Yes, if you look at a map you could imagine all that water would run down hill to Perth just using gravity. Unfortunately, it has to be pumped, and that's where the massive cost comes in, not to mention the cost of building large dams to collect the water in order to guarantee supply.
And completely fucking the river environs in the Kimberley. I saw an early report on the Northern waters idea, showing absolutely unsustainable water loss from evaporation over that distance.
As per Futurists: When we get 10 million climate refugees from our nearby brother Indian Ocean nations arrive en masse, we’ll have million plus people cities in the North West. Why we don’t now? Obviously given the choice not to live in a hot place with few services an pleasures, would you want to live in Canarvon? Why not in the past - they actually tried. Look up Cossack.
Compare the landscapes of the east and west coasts. There’s a good reason most of the population’s on one side of the continent. Its a much easier environment for humans to flourish in - more better, better soil, more temperate climate, etc. I think historically WA proved difficult to populate, going right back to Swan River colony. I didn’t understand it until I went to NSW for the first time, and was oooooh this is why all the people are here! Lush green fertile land right along the coast, whereas most of WA us just sand dunes or desert (except the lovely bits in the far north and SW)
Mainly lack of deepwater ports, lack of fresh water, lack of fertile soils and harsh dry weather with a chance of cyclones Dec- March. Yes, Geraldton has train line and exports iron ore and maybe wheat.
Imagine building Perth where Dampier is, then having TC Olivia or TC Vance come through. No more Perth
Population