Why was Western Australia once called the Cinderella colony?

Western Australia was referred to as the "Cinderella colony" because it lagged behind its eastern neighbors in economic development and growth for many years.12

During the mid-19th century, the region faced significant challenges, including isolation, a small infrastructure of investment, and a limited population. Unlike the eastern colonies, Western Australia failed to discover gold or other valuable minerals during its early decades of settlement, which hindered its ability to keep pace with the rapid expansion seen elsewhere in Australia. It was not until the late 19th century, following major gold discoveries in areas such as Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie, that the colony experienced a massive influx of migrants and significant economic growth.123