Osborne Illustrated - Banquet At Osborne - Sir John Forrest Speaking

In 1894, James Grave began building the Osborne Hotel on 2 acre property on a cliff top in Claremont. The hotel had views of the Swan River and Indian Ocean and was regarded as Perth's finest resort hotel.

The hotel was surmounted by a tower with a 70 foot turret and was surrounded by landscaped gardens with fountains, flowers, retreats, shades and summer houses.

There was also a tennis court, bowling green, boat shed, swimming baths, with a flight of 200 steps (Osborne Steps) leading to the water's edge to cater for those arriving by boat at the Osborne Jetty.

The hotel and a street were named after Matilda Osborne, wife of the late William Osborne who financed the purchase of the land and the construction of the Hotel.

The Osborne Hotel was purchased by the Catholic Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto Sisters) in 1901 and converted into the Loreto Convent.

The Loreto Convent was demolished in 1962.