Aboriginal Life Kings Park

Mooro Katta

Aboriginal Cultural Places to Visit in Kings Park and Botanic Garden Marlee Pavilion

State War Memorial

Glass Bridge Swan Canning Riverpark

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Elevated walkway

Boodja Gnarning Walk

6

Mt Eliza Lookout

Beedawong Meeting Place

Tuart Forest Flora Botanic Garden Entry

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Place of Reflection Roe Gardens

Water Garden

Tuart Lawn

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Ceremonial Walk

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Forrest Carpark Aboriginal Art Gallery 2

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Aspects of Kings Park Gallery Shop

Lord Forrest Statue

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Conservation Garden

Long Vista

Wildflower Pavilion

Acacia Garden

Banksia Garden

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DNA Tower

Willywagtail Bushland Nature Trail Hard Surface Paths Soft Surface Paths

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Boodja Gnarning Walk Cliff Walk Law Walk Lotterywest Federation Walkway

7 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander War Memorial

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On 9 December 2000, Australia’s first State War Memorial for Indigenous Australians was unveiled here, commemorating those who gave their lives serving with the Australian armed forces and services in all conflicts since the Boer War.

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8 Kings Park Bushland Nature Trail

3 Boodja Gnarning Walk The Boodja Gnarning Walk offers a unique experience that highlights the diverse methods of survival used by Nyoongar people to live off the land in the south-west of Western Australia.

the highest point of Kings Park. Nyoongar is the generic term for Indigenous people of the southwest of Western Australia. The area ceremonial and dreaming area for Aboriginal males.

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For thousands of years Aboriginal people have been visiting Mooro Katta or Kaarta Gar-up, two of the many names for Mount Eliza,

This walk offers an encounter with Western Australia’s famous wildflowers, trees and birdlife living in the wild as they have done for millions of years. If you are lucky you might see a bobtail lizard or some of the other bushland fauna. An eye-catching open mia-mia structure marks the entry and will entice you to explore what lies beyond.

4 Lotterywest Federation Walkway

at the base of Kings Park, known as Goonininup, was an important

Take a breathtaking walk through the treetops. This striking landscape artwork celebrates the Centenary of Federation, Aboriginal Culture and the magnificent trees of the Swan Coastal Plain.

1 Kaarta Gar-up Lookout

The mia-mia structure draws upon the key architectural elements of the temporary shelters built by Nyoongars and provides an opportunity to express this aspect of Aboriginal culture in a unique and interesting way.

5 Scartree

Located on Fraser Avenue, this Lookout offers one of Kings Park’s most magnificent views, incorporating both the city skyline and the Swan Canning Riverpark, with the Darling Range as a backdrop.

9 Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park

Located in the Banksia Garden. Discover why Aboriginal people scarred these trees.

2 Aboriginal Art Gallery

Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park is a bush discovery area where children connect with nature – where they are free to play and explore, climb, wade through creeks, build cubbies and dams and learn all about their natural environment. Open Tuesday to Sunday 9 am – 4 pm. Closed Mondays, all February, and days of high fire-danger risk. Groups must book.

6 The Beedawong Meeting Place

Located below the Kaarta Gar-up Lookout, this gallery will enrich the visitor’s understanding and experience of Indigenous art and craft from Western Australia. Telephone (08) 9481 7082.

The Beedawong Meeting Place (meaning Celebration) designed by Nyoongars is a stone amphitheatre located in a bush garden setting used for Indigenous cultural performances. A great place to just sit and ponder.

Illustration: R. Walley RO:21283_0313

west of Western Australia. (see map overleaf)

by Nyoongar people to live off the land in the souththat highlights the diverse methods of survival used Boodja Gnarning Walk offers a unique experience as part of the Boodja Gnarning Walk. The Tel: (08) 9480 3600 • Fax: (08) 9322 5064 Email: enquiries@bgpa.wa.gov.au • www.bgpa.wa.gov.au

See artwork on the Lotterywest Federation Walkway

Fraser Avenue, Kings Park, Western Australia 6005

information. au/education for more website www.bgpa.wa.gov.

Phone (08) 9480 3638 or visit our your school. program with Kings Park Education for Book an Aboriginal Cultural Education

and continued on to the sea, so creating the Swan River. which feeds the Kennedy Fountain, Mount Eliza, emerging at the spring, stands. The snake made its way through

Welcome to Nyoongar Country

ground where Parliament House now

Wandju Wandju Nidja Nyoongar Boodjar

Snake called Waugal entered the Nyoongars, a mythological Rainbow creation. According to the local

Aboriginal Life

understanding of the world and its The Dreamtime is the Aboriginal

Experience Nyoongar Culture in Kings Park

Aboriginal Cultural Places to Visit in Kings Park and Botanic Garden

Mooro Katta

Marlee Pavilion Place of Reflection

Glass Bridge

State War Memorial

Swan Canning Riverpark

7

Starts here

Botanic Garden Entry

Ceremonial Walk

4

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Water Garden

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Aspects of Kings Park Gallery Shop

Conservation Garden

Lord Forrest Statue

Acacia Garden

Banksia Garden

Wildflower Pavilion

Long Vista

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Beedawong Meeting Place

Tuart Forest Flora

Tuart Lawn

Gija Jumulu Forrest Carpark

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Boodja Gnarning Walk

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Mt Eliza Lookout

Roe Gardens

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Boodja Gnarning Walk offers a unique experience that highlights the The diverse methods of survival used by Nyoongar people to live off the land in the south-west of Western Australia.

the highest point of Kings Park. Nyoongar is the generic term for Indigenous people of the southwest of Western Australia. The area at the base of Kings Park, known as Goonininup, was an important

4 Lotterywest Federation Walkway

ceremonial and dreaming area for Aboriginal males.

Take a breathtaking walk through the treetops. This striking landscape artwork celebrates the Centenary of Federation, Aboriginal Culture and the magnificent trees of the Swan Coastal Plain.

5 Scartree

Located on Fraser Avenue, this Lookout offers one of Kings Park’s most magnificent views, incorporating both the city skyline and the Swan Canning Riverpark, with the Darling Range as a backdrop.

2 Aboriginal Art Gallery The gallery is now permanently closed. A selection of Aboriginal art is available at Aspects of Kings Park.

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DNA Tower

Willywagtail Bushland Nature Trail Hard Surface Paths Soft Surface Paths

Boodja Gnarning Walk Cliff Walk Law Walk Lotterywest Federation Walkway

7 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander War Memorial pa

3 Boodja Gnarning Walk

Katta or Kaarta Gar-up, two of the many names for Mount Eliza,

1 Kaarta Gar-up Lookout

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For thousands of years Aboriginal people have been visiting Mooro

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A place of ceremony... a place of reflection... a place of food and shelter.

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Pioneer Women’s Memorial

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Wadjuk Carpark

Located in the Banksia Garden. Discover why Aboriginal people scarred these trees.

6 The Beedawong Meeting Place

The Beedawong Meeting Place (meaning Celebration) designed by Nyoongars is a stone amphitheatre located in a bush garden setting used for Indigenous cultural performances. A great place to just sit and ponder.

On 9 December 2000, Australia’s first State War Memorial for Indigenous Australians was unveiled here, commemorating those who gave their lives serving with the Australian armed forces and services in all conflicts since the Boer War. 8 Kings Park Bushland Nature Trail

This walk offers an encounter with Western Australia’s famous wildflowers, trees and birdlife living in the wild as they have done for millions of years. If you are lucky you might see a bobtail lizard or some of the other bushland fauna. An eye-catching open mia-mia structure marks the entry and will entice you to explore what lies beyond.

The mia-mia structure draws upon the key architectural elements of the temporary shelters built by Nyoongars and provides an opportunity to express this aspect of Aboriginal culture in a unique and interesting way.

9 Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park Tinto Naturescape Kings Park is a bush discovery area where Rio children connect with nature – where they are free to play and explore, climb, wade through creeks, build cubbies and dams and learn all about their natural environment. Open Tuesday to Sunday 9 am – 4 pm. Closed Mondays, all February, and days of high fire-danger risk. Groups must book.

Illustration: R. Walley

Fraser Avenue, West Perth, Western Australia 6005 Tel: (08) 9480 3600 • Fax: (08) 9322 5064 Email: enquiries@bgpa.wa.gov.au • Internet: www.bgpa.wa.gov.au

RO:21283_0313

west of Western Australia. (see map overleaf)

by Nyoongar people to live off the land in the souththat highlights the diverse methods of survival used Boodja Gnarning Walk offers a unique experience as part of the Boodja Gnarning Walk. The See artwork on the Lotterywest Federation Walkway

11.00 am to 4.00 pm weekends and public holidays.

Open: 10.30 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday. www.aboriginalgallery.com.au Dreaming. Phone: (08) 9481 7082

information. au/education for more website www.bgpa.wa.gov.

Phone (08) 9480 3638 or visit our your school. program with Kings Park Education for

the beliefs and stories from the to Aboriginal culture. It records Australian artists. Art is central original Aboriginal artwork by Art Gallery to purchase Visit the Aboriginal

Book an Aboriginal Cultural Education

and continued on to the sea, so creating the Swan River. which feeds the Kennedy Fountain, Mount Eliza, emerging at the spring, stands. The snake made its way through ground where Parliament House now Snake called Waugal entered the

Welcome to Nyoongar Country

Wandju Wandju Nidja Nyoongar Boodjar

Nyoongars, a mythological Rainbow creation. According to the local understanding of the world and its The Dreamtime is the Aboriginal

Experience Nyoongar Culture in Kings Park

Aboriginal Life

Time to collect seeds and bulbs for food.

Goomal

Common Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecula Possums usually nest in tree hollows and feed on leaves, flowers, fruits and insects. Possum fur was spun into long strands for belts and bands. The meat would then be cooked in hot coals or ashes and eaten.

Kardar

Gould’s Monitor Lizard Varanus gouldii Goannas or monitor lizards were readily caught during the day (except in winter). When caught they were treated in a precise ritual before being cooked in the fire; the legs were broken and curled over the belly so that the heat did not cause the dead goanna to stand up.

easo The Autumn S n and the Season of Adulthood. Cooler weather. Time of and courtship ceremo marriages nies.

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Australian Raven Corvus coronoides Nyoongar society was divided into two totemic groups symbolised by the black Raven and the white cockatoo.

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Peppermint Tree Agonis flexuosa Belongs to the myrtle family, and has a distinctive odour, especially when the leaves are crushed. The leaves would be crushed in their hands then the vapour was inhaled to clear the nose; or the hands and leaves were rubbed briskly together and placed on the chest to relieve congestion.

Mudja

Bobtail Tiliqua Rugosa Many species of reptiles were eaten during the warmer months because they were relatively easy to catch as they escaped fire.

Illustrations: J. Blyth, P. Free, S. Tingay and R. Walley Photos: BGPA

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Black Wattle Acacia saligna Flowers June to October and provides a good source of Bardi or Witchetty grubs. The soft green seeds of many acacia species were roasted and eaten in the pods. Ripe seeds could be eaten raw or ground into a flour and used for ‘damper’ (Seeds of some species are toxic).

Ngolark

White-tailed Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus latirostris Also known as Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo.

These large seed eating birds are often identified by their harsh wailing cries. They are often seen tearing open thick woody seed pods such as Marri nuts to get to the seed.

Jarrah

Eucalyptus marginata These straight majestic hardwood trees, once known as Swan River Mahogany are uniquely Western Australian. They flower from September to February and provide a rich source of nectar for bees, birds and possums. The fruits were strung together as necklaces and hair ornaments; the wood was made into spear throwers to increase the distance a spear could be thrown.

Christmas Tree Nuytsia floribunda Traditionally regarded by Nyoongars as the tree of the dead (ghost bush) where disembodied spirits of recently deceased persons ‘rested on the branches’ en route to the island of the dead ‘beyond the western sea’.

When the mudja was in blossom, it was a sign to move towards the coast.

Time to collect bird’s eggs, fledglings, frogs, crayfish and tortoises.

s and hunt emus, possums and kangaroos.

Time to collect root

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When the Christmas Tree flowers, its time to move to the coast.

The Six Nyoongar Seasons.

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Zamia Macrozamia fraseri This ancient plant is relic of the dinosaur The Zamia, a cycad, is a flowering, and cone bearing plant. The female plant pineapple-like cones containing large red seeds known as by-yu that are poisonous to eat as experienced by the crew of Vlamingh’s ship, who visited in 1697. Nyoongars would the red seeds or bury them pits for up to four weeks leach the toxins before either raw or roasted the red covering.

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Kangaroo Kangaroos were once commonly seen in Kings Park but urbanisation has driven them out in recent decades. Nyoongars collectively hunted kangaroos by herding them using fire, loud shouting and beating the bush to drive the animals to their death over the steep escarpment of Kaarta Gar-up. This annual drive (battue) provided a bountiful meat supply for the gathering clans. Kangaroos were highly valued for their nutritious meat; skins were made into cloaks and bags, sinews used for binding; bones for nose-bones and teeth used to make scrapers.

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Bull Banksia Banksia grandis The flowers were sucked for nectar or soaked in water to make a mildly intoxicating honey sweet beverage known as mangite. The dried fruiting cones were used as firesticks and were carried under their kangaroo skin cloaks in winter to provide a ready source of fire and warmth.

Grasstree Xanthorrhoea preissii Balgas possibly supplied the most resources of all plants used by Nyoongars. Flowering stems provided both edible nectar and structural supports for shelters. Dry stems were used for fire sticks. The trunk exuded a resin, which Nyoongars made into glue with charcoal and kangaroo dung, useful for bonding of tools together. Thatch for shelters and was harvested from leaf fronds - the was edible. A decaying balga trunk rich source of edible Bardi grubs.

Yongar

Kulbardi

Magpie Gymnorhina tibiceri The loud flute-like carolling is the distinctive song of the magpie. According to the Nyoongar story the magpie got its white feathers after fighting with the crow. The crow threw the magpie into a hot fire and the white ash streaked his feathers white.

Even to this day crows and magpies are never friendly to each other!

Poolgarla

Balga

Kondil

Sheoak Allocasuarina fraseriana During Makuru the male Sheoak is in full flower with a rusty brown hue. The branchlets were chewed to quench thirst and an infusion of the bark was used to treat diarrhoea. The wood was used for coolamons and other water carriers.

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Magpies ‘chortling’ means its time to dig bloodroots.

Corymbia calophylla Known as the medicine tree, the red gum which oozes from the marri contains tannin, a known antisceptic agent. The liquid gum was traditionally used as a plaster for sores and wounds to prevent bleeding, infection and flies. For the treatment of stomach conditions, such as diarrhoea and dysentry, small quantities of the dried gum or kino were eaten, or dissolved in water. Marri blossom, which was collected and soaked in water to make a honey-sweet beverage, numbit, was relished by the Nyoongars.

Eucalyptus gomphocephala The Tuart is the tallest tree on the Swan Coastal Plain, providing an important habitat for fauna.

It was known by the early settlers as the Mt Eliza Gum. Trees were scarred by Aboriginal people who removed the bark or timber to make containers, shields and to build temporary shelters.

When sheoaks turn yellow-brown, it’s time to hunt fat kangaroo.

Marri

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