The Point Walter/Blackwall Reach area is situated at the top end of a tidal gorge that stretches down to the ocean. This unique area comprises of a mixture of sandy embayments and eroded limestone habitat. The Point Walter sand spit is an important site for waterbirds using the Swan River, particularly for feeding and resting.
Rich in culture and history, the Point Walter area is known as Dyoondalup, meaning “place of white sand” in Noongar, and the Blackwall Reach area is known as Jennalup. To the Whadjuk Noongar people, this area is traditionally a place for women and children.
Today this area is enjoyed by the Perth community for a range of recreational activities both in the river and on the foreshore. There is also a café located on the Point Walter foreshore offering a range of food and beverages.
Look out for the wooden interpretation facility near the jetty to learn more about the history of this area.
This site is managed by the City of Melville. More information is available from the City of Melville.
The Hair
Click on the audio file to hear about the significance of Djoondalup (Point Walter), where Marie Taylor Whadjuk Elder talks about the white hair of Junda the Charnock Woman.
Fish Traps
Looking down river from Point Walter you may notice the remains of an old fish trap used by the Whadjuk people to catch a feed. Click on the audio file to listen to Whadjuk Elder Noel Morich explain how Noongars would catch fish using the traps.
Welcome to Country
Welcome to Jennalup, otherwise known as Blackwall Reach. Jennalup is located within Whadjuk territory. Whadjuk is the name of the dialectal group of Noongar people from the Perth region, which forms part of the greater Noongar language group of south-west Western Australia. To the Whadjuk people, Jennalup is traditionally a place for women and children.
The Footprint and the Guna
Click on the audio to hear about the significance of the Blackwall Reach limestone cliffs, where Marie Taylor Whadjuk Elder talks about the footprint of Djunda the Charnock Woman, a spirit woman who collected spirit children, keeping them in her strands of long white hair.
As well as how the Waagle, a powerful serpent-like creature formed these limestone rocks.
The Birth Place
Looking out to the river you will see the beautiful white sands rushing to meet the limestone cliffs. These white sands are incredibly significant to Whadjuk women, for this area was once a birthing place. Click on the audio to listen to Whadjuk Elder Marie Taylor talk more about this special place.
The Wattle Tree
The wattle tree is special to Whadjuk people. Click on the audio clip to listen to Whadjuk Elder Marie Taylor tell the delicious secret of the wattle. Hint, if you look carefully you may find some unexpected treats that trickle from the trees.
The Boomer Bush
Walk along Jennalup and take in a deep breath. Smell anything pungent? Click on the audio file to hear Whadjuk Elder Noel Morich explain what you may be smelling.
The Deepest Part of the River
Jennalup, the place of feet, is very significant to Whadjuk people. Click on the audio file to listen to Whadjuk Elder Marie Taylor explain why Jennalup is so important and how it became the deepest part of the river.
