Strong, durable and aesthetically pleasing, the use of natural stone has existed in building and construction since antiquity.

When the European settlers arrived at the Swan River Colony in 1829, they had little knowledge of local resources and used timber for shelter requirements.

Colonists soon discovered, however, that there existed large deposits of workable limestone, particularly in the Fremantle area, and at Rottnest and Cottesloe. This provided the settlement with a valuable asset for foundations and walls, breakwaters, and road making. Colonists also burned the stone in kilns to make builders' lime for masonry mortar and plastering.

The strong load-bearing capacity of Tamala limestone made it an ideal alternative to the use of steel, not readily available in the colony until after World War 1.

Workers' cottages, elaborate homes and mansions alike, often used limestone for foundations and rubble stonework. (Morison & White: 1981)

The construction of limestone buildings such as shipping offices, warehouse and pubs resulted in a harmony of character and scale still evident in the port of Fremantle today. (Morison & White: 1981)

The best-known Western Australian sandstone originates in Donnybrook, where quarrying commenced around the turn of the century. The Police Courts building in Beaufort Street, Perth, completed in 1905, is constructed entirely of Donnybrook sandstone.

According to Morison & White, the striking colour and texture of Donnybrook sandstone facing became popular in the 1920's, giving a new look to Perth city buildings such as the General Post Office.

Typical examples of natural stone buildings exist until this day. A testament to the durability of its natural Tamala limestone walls, the Round House in Fremantle (1831) constructed on a headland overlooking the Indian Ocean, was the first permanent building in the Swan River Colony.

The Parliament House of Western Australia (1904) is located in Harvest Terrace, West Perth. It features an imposing Donnybrook Sandstone façade and portico.

Over time, the popularity of natural stone gave way to the use of new, easier to procure building materials.

"The use of natural stone in public buildings dates back to the 1890's in Western Australia where architects and tradespeople adapted Victorian Renaissance styles to work with local building materials."