Derbarl Yerrigan - the Swan River


Waakal or Rainbow Snake Cave near Fremantle

Ngurgnboro - Herdsman Lake

Point Walter - Tjuntalup Boodja - was sacred to the Whadjuck Nyungar Yorgas - local Aboriginal women.

Creation Story of Tjuntalup (Point Walter)

Our dreamtime story is that the beelya (river) was created by the Waakal, rainbow serpent of the Nyungars. The estuary of the Swan River is known as the Derbal Yerigan (brackish water of the turtle spirit).

As the wind blows over the beelya, we can imagine the sandbar being created by a lock of hair from tjunta, a female dreaming spirit. The lock fell and created our freeway across the river, allowing us to travel back and forth. At night if you look up to the sky, you will see the similarity of this sandbar to the Milky Way where she is still seen and the stars are the children clinging to her hair. The deepest part of the river was her last step (jennalup) or Blackwall Reach.

Rock Hole (Gnamma) at Boyagin Rock - Ballardong Country

Swan River

Yelakitj Moort elders will show you Nyungar know-how on a journey through Nyungar Country of the Swan River Valley. You will learn and appreciate the indigenous stories of the Nyungar language group of the South West, stretching from Walter Point to the Hills of Kalamunda, through the Swan Valley Wine District, old Guildford Town and back to Fremantle via Lake Monger and Herdsman Lake.

Hear first contact stories of Europeans or Wadjella, and how Nyungars welcomed the colonists. Learn about 'The Dreaming' stories that have been passed down from generation to generation, and be given an insight into the cultural heritage and knowledge of the Nyungar people and their connections with this Boodja or land.

This tour is run on demand. For a full itinerary and bookings, please email Yelakitj Moort.
The Swan River tour is limited to 10 places however larger group bookings may be arranged at cost.

Cost: $60.00 per person (includes tea/coffee and damper)

Herdsman Lake

Before the coming of the white people (Wadjellas) in 1829, the Aboriginal people of the South West (Nyungars) called the lake we now know as Herdsman's Ngurgnboro. It was a vast stretch of water - a 400 hectare circle surrounded by other lakes and swamps.

Nearby were Galup (Lake Monger), Jackadder Lake - the swamp between Ngurgnboro and Galup (now Glendalough) - and Joondana Swamp to the north east. The Northern swamps fed a creek running down through Njookenbooroo Swamp (Oswald St) to the Great Lake (which was what the early white settlers called Herdsman Lake).

Herdsman Lake was in country called Mooro, the home of Yellagonga's People. Here the Nyungar came from the Swan River in their seasonal hunting pattern, firing the fringes of the reed beds to renew supplies of yanget ( bullrush) whose stems they ate.

Join us on a tour of Yellagonga's country. To book a tour, contact Yelakitj Moort today!

Take a stroll around the Kings Park, looking, listening and talking about this Nyungar hill which was called Karta Koombar - "Best High Place". See where the Nyungars lived and survived along the Swan River (Derbarl Yerrigan) and how they coped with the colonial settlers when they arrived on the shores of the great south land. Learn about Nyungar bushtucker and medicine, it's uses and preparation.

To book a day tour to Kings Park, please contact us.

Point Walter

On this day tour, learn all about Point Walter or Tjuntalup Boodja - Place of the White Sand Land. Explore native vegetation and its uses. Find out about indigenous living and their sources of food supplies along the Swan River shore. Gain insights about 'The Dreaming' story, the spit sand bar, and Women's and Men's sites.

Contact us to book a half day tour to Point Walter.

See the beautiful old city of Fremantle (Walyalup and Manjuri) through the eyes of a long term Nyungar resident. Learn the other side of the story on the arrival of Captain Fremantle, how he was assisted by the Nyungar people who gave him food, fire and water on his arrival. How they sang all through the night (Kaya-Kaya) the Nyungar welcome for new wadjella (white fella) arrivals. A new refreshing approach to an old city through the eyes of Nyungar.

To book a Fremantle Heritage Walk, email us today.

Lake Joondalup

With the development of the city of Joondalup (Place of Whiteness) in recent times, the Nyungar have been continually consulted about aspects of the city's indigenous past. Join us at Lake Joondalup for a walk through an area rich in bushtucker and medicine. Listen to the stories and learn about the importance of the land, animal and birdlife of this pristine area.

To book a tour of Lake Joondalup and surrounding bushland, email us

Boyagin Rock Camping Trip

Located a 2 hour drive south-east of Perth, Boyagin Rock is a site of great significance to the Ballardong people.

Join Neville Collard and family members on an overnight or extended camping trip to Boyagin Rock. Enjoy a Nyungar Welcome to country, hear the stories, learn about bushtucker, enjoy bush food and immerse yourself in the spiritual atmosphere of this beautiful area.

For more information, or to book a Boyagin Rock Camping Trip, please contact us.