Pelican Point (Swan River)
Encyclopedia
Pelican Point is a point and nature reserve on the Swan River
in Perth
, located at Matilda Bay
near UWA
.
Pelican Point was formerly named Point Currie after Captain Currie
who in 1829 received an allotment of land which became known as Crawley
.
The area hosted a US naval base during World War II
, where Consolidated PBY Catalina
s were flown.
The point is named for pelican
s which rest on sand bars in the river. The area is now a bird sanctuary, and is near the Royal Perth Yacht Club
and a public boat ramp. The 1st Pelican Point Sea Scouts, founded in 1913, can be found at the end of Australia II
Drive.
Swan River (Western Australia)
The Swan River estuary flows through the city of Perth, in the south west of Western Australia. Its lower reaches are relatively wide and deep, with few constrictions, while the upper reaches are usually quite narrow and shallow....
in Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
, located at Matilda Bay
Matilda Bay
Matilda Bay is a natural bay in the Swan River in Western Australia, adjacent to the Perth suburb of Crawley. It extends from Pelican Point to Mounts Bay Road below Kings Park....
near UWA
University of Western Australia
The University of Western Australia was established by an Act of the Western Australian Parliament in February 1911, and began teaching students for the first time in 1913. It is the oldest university in the state of Western Australia and the only university in the state to be a member of the...
.
Pelican Point was formerly named Point Currie after Captain Currie
Mark John Currie
Captain Mark John Currie RN played a significant role in the exploration of Australia and the foundation of the Swan River Colony, later named 'Western Australia'....
who in 1829 received an allotment of land which became known as Crawley
Crawley, Western Australia
Crawley is a suburb of Perth, Western Australia, located within the City of Subiaco.The earlier name of the locality was Crawley Park.It is home to the University of Western Australia, the state's oldest and most prestigious university...
.
The area hosted a US naval base during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, where Consolidated PBY Catalina
PBY Catalina
The Consolidated PBY Catalina was an American flying boat of the 1930s and 1940s produced by Consolidated Aircraft. It was one of the most widely used multi-role aircraft of World War II. PBYs served with every branch of the United States Armed Forces and in the air forces and navies of many other...
s were flown.
The point is named for pelican
Pelican
A pelican, derived from the Greek word πελεκυς pelekys is a large water bird with a large throat pouch, belonging to the bird family Pelecanidae....
s which rest on sand bars in the river. The area is now a bird sanctuary, and is near the Royal Perth Yacht Club
Royal Perth Yacht Club
The Royal Perth Yacht Club is a yacht club in Perth, Western Australia. -Early history:The "Perth Yacht and Boat Club" in 1880 was able to build a jetty at the foot of William Street in Perth Water. Perth Yacht Club received the Royal Charter in 1890. The club shifted to Crawley in 1953 when the...
and a public boat ramp. The 1st Pelican Point Sea Scouts, founded in 1913, can be found at the end of Australia II
Australia II
Australia II is the Australian 12-metre-class challenge racing yacht that was launched in 1982 and won the 1983 America's Cup for the Royal Perth Yacht Club...
Drive.