Local Government
Rockingham
Region
Metropolitan
Garden Island N of Rockingham
An island immediately to the north of Rockingham and connected to the mainland by a traffic bridge
Bauche Island
Meandip
Rockingham
Metropolitan
Constructed from 1801
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth List | YES | 22 Jun 2004 |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHP - To be assessed | Current | 28 Sep 2007 |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Register of the National Estate | Permanent | 30 May 1995 | ||
| Classified by the National Trust | Classified {Lscpe} | 05 May 1994 | ||
The Cliff Point Historic Site, individually significant within the area of Garden Island is important as the first site inhabited by Governor Stirling's party in 1829 when founding the colony of Western Australia (WA), and as Western Australia's first official non-convict settlement. The site was occupied in the first instance by Captain Charles Fremantle before the arrival of Captain Stirling. The party occupied the site for two months before a move was made to the Swan River settlement on the mainland. The Cliff Point Historic Site is important as the site of first settlement in Western Australia. The Cliff Point Historic Site is highly valued by the community for its cultural associations. The Cliff Point Historic Site, also known as Sulphur Town, after HMS Sulphur was chosen in 1828 by Governor Stirling to transport settlers to the new colony and is important for its association with Governor Stirling and Captain Charles Fremantle.
Garden Island is comprised of a ridge of Tamala Limestone covered with calcareous sand. Limestone outcrops and intertidal rock platforms occur on the western and southern coastlines. The western side of the island is dominated by a series of parabolic dunes of the Quindalup soil unit, ranging in age from several hundred to 6000 years. The eastern side has a series of gently undulating benches.
Garden Island was first called Meeandip by the Aborigines and Ile de Buache by the French following the visit of Nicholas Baudin in 1801. Ile de Bauche was renamed Garden Island in 1829 by Captain Charles Fremantle. Rottnest, Carnac and Garden Islands have been separated from the mainland for about 6000 to 7000 years since the sea levels rose after the last Ice Age. Towards the end of 1826 Governor Darling sent Major Lockyer to secure the King George Sound area for the Crown. The garrison force included 18 troops, 23 convicts, a surgeon-assistant and others on board including the crew of the brig Amity. Major Lockyer was instrumental in freeing Aboriginal people who had been taken prisoner by sealers, the first Europeans to exploit the coastal regions of Western Australia. In 1827 Captain James Stirling visited the Swan River region reporting favourably on the mainland and Garden Island for their agricultural potential. Before returning to Britain, Stirling landed the remaining livestock from his ship on the island of 'Buache,' later renamed Garden Island by Captain Charles Fremantle.
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12134 | The Swan River Colony’s First British Settlement: Early Results of Surveys of Garden Island (Meeandip), Western Australia | Journal article | 2023 |
| 8799 | HMAS Stirling : history and heritage. | Heritage Study {Other} | 0 |
Landscape
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | RESIDENTIAL | Other |
| Present Use | MILITARY | Other |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Education & science |
| OCCUPATIONS | Fishing & other maritime industry |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Aboriginal Occupation |
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | River & sea transport |
| PEOPLE | Early settlers |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Settlements |
| OUTSIDE INFLUENCES | World Wars & other wars |
| PEOPLE | Famous & infamous people |
| PEOPLE | Aboriginal people |
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.