Point_Belches
Point Belches
Point into Swan River, Western Australia
Point Belches is a small point on the south side of Swan River, Western Australia, about 250 metres (820 ft) east of The Narrows within the area known as Perth Water.[1][2] The land is part of the South Perth Esplanade, and the water off the point is used as a commercial water skiing area.[1]
Captain James Stirling discovered Point Belches during the Swan River expedition of 1827. He named it in honour of Peter Belches, a member of the exploring party who was Third Lieutenant on Stirling's ship, HMS Success.[2][3]
While Point Belches now refers to a small feature on the eastern side of the peninsula, Stirling almost certainly intended the name to refer to the entire peninsula.[1][2][4] The Old Mill on the peninsula is identified in early sources as being on Point Belches.[2][5][6] Furthermore, historic plans mark Point Belches north of Miller's Pool[7]: 7 on the opposite side of Pool Neck to its contemporary location east of Miller's Pool.[4][8][9]
It was a stopping point for early ferries on Perth Water.[10] The peninsula itself is now commonly referred to as Mill Point, although strictly speaking this name also refers to a smaller feature, on the western side of the peninsula.[1][2]