Perth Then and Now by Richard Offen

Perth Then and Now by Richard Offen

Past and present are laid side by side in this fascinating visual tour around the capital of Western Australia.

Perth Then and Now pairs stunning photographs from the archives with specially commissioned contemporary shots, viewpoint for viewpoint, so you can see exactly how the city’s most fascinating places have changed.

With an Aboriginal history going back over 40,000 years, Perth ranks amongst the oldest places on Earth with near-continuous human habitation. This book tells the fascinating story of Perth as a modern city, tracing the formation of the Swan River Colony in 1829, the gold‑rush booms of the late 19th century, and today’s contemporary skyline, shaped by layers of development and rich heritage.

This updated edition reflects recent changes in the city, from the riverfront around Elizabeth Quay and the Horseshoe Bridge to beloved cultural landmarks such as His Majesty’s Theatre and The Melbourne Hotel.

Written by renowned Perth historian Richard Offen, this book makes a special gift for proud residents, visitors and anyone who loves urban history.

Richard Offen was the Executive Director of Heritage Perth for twelve years, until his retirement in 2017. In that time he was a regular broadcaster on radio and television and is best known in Perth for his Monday morning history spot on the 720 ABC Breakfast Show with the late Eoin Cameron. He now spends his time as an author, lecturer, broadcaster and heritage consultant. Richard is President of the Royal Western Australian Historical Society and a Councillor on State Heritage Council. He is the author of Lost Perth (2018) and A Perth Camera (2022).