It publishes original research on topics related to the natural history of Western Australia.

[1][2] Similar publications emanated from groups that were established in other Australian states, the South Australian being a part of the Royal Society in that state[3] and the Victorian publication was established as early as the 1880s.

At times the publication and contents of the issues of The Naturalist were noted in the local newspaper The West Australian.

[7] George Seddon in his work Sense of Place wrote: "there are three good local inexpensive journals that should be in every school and public library The Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, the Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Western Australian Historical Society and The Western Australian Naturalist".

[8] The Naturalist was the location of: At various stages offprints have been made of articles on subjects that had not had publication elsewhere,[9][10][11] or items from The Naturalist have been included in compiled volumes.