Perth is a town in the Australian state of Tasmania. It lies 20 km (12 mi) south of Launceston, on the Midland Highway. The town had a population of 3,233 at the 2021 census, and is part of the Northern Midlands Council.

Like nearby Longford, Perth is a historic town with many buildings dating back to the early 19th century. It is the first major town out of Launceston on the route to Hobart, and also serves as a major junction for people bypassing Launceston on the route from Hobart to the northwest of the state.

History

Perth was settled in 1821 by Governor Lachlan Macquarie. He was staying nearby with the pastoralist David Gibson and named it after Gibson's hometown of Perth, Scotland. It was proclaimed as a township in 1836. John Skinner Prout painted a view of the town in 1845, with various parts of the inland mountains showing in the painting. Edward Paxham Brandard engraved the picture in 1874.

Landmarks

Baptist church

The Perth Baptist church, opened in 1862, is notable, due to its history, size and architecture.

Gibbet Hill

In 1837, five years after the practice ceased in England, the body of John McKay was gibbetted near the spot where he murdered Joseph Wilson near Perth. There was great outcry, but the body was not removed until an acquaintance of Wilson passed the spot and, horrified by the spectacle of McKay's rotting corpse, pleaded with the authorities to remove it.

The location is still marked by a sign reading, "Gibbet Hill" on the right when heading to Launceston.

This was the last case of gibbeting in a British colony.

Demographics

The population of Perth was 2,965 in the 2016 Census. It had grown to 3,233 people in the 2021 Census.