Anne Mueller Environmental Walk, Lake Richmond

Geology & Ancient Coastlines

The coastline surrounding Rockingham has changed dramatically over thousands of years. Around 8,000 years ago, sea levels were significantly lower, allowing Whadjuk Noongar people to walk across Country to Wadjemup (Rottnest Island). Families would travel slowly across the landscape, camping beneath the stars along the way and following ancient pathways that are now hidden beneath the ocean.

As sea levels rose over time, the coastline transformed, separating islands and reshaping the land into the coastal environments seen today. For Noongar people, these changes are not only understood through science and environmental observation, but also through Dreaming stories that explain how ancestral beings shaped the landscape.

Stories of the Wagyl and Yondock are deeply tied to the creation of waterways, islands and landforms throughout the region, embedding cultural knowledge into the geography itself. These stories continue to connect people to Country, carrying memories of changing coastlines, movement across land and the enduring relationship between people, water and sky.

Peppermint Trees

The peppermint trees lining parts of the Rockingham Foreshore are more than just coastal shade trees, they have long held importance for Whadjuk Noongar people as a source of medicine and connection to Country. Their aromatic leaves release a refreshing scent into the air, especially after rain or on warm coastal breezes, creating a sensory reminder of the healing properties found within the landscape.

Traditionally, peppermint leaves were used for their medicinal qualities and formed part of a broader knowledge system centred around the natural environment providing what was needed for wellbeing and survival. Along the trail, you’re invited to slow down, engage your senses and experience the landscape in the same way generations of Noongar people have for thousands of years.

Bullrushes

Bullrushes growing around the wetlands and freshwater lakes were an important traditional resource for Noongar people, valued for both nourishment and practical use. The soft white base of the plant could be eaten fresh, offering a subtle flavour that connected people directly to the abundance of Country.

Beyond food, bullrushes also played an important role in everyday life, with their strong fibres traditionally used in crafting and weaving practices. Their presence around the lakes reflects the richness and versatility of the wetland environments that sustained generations of Whadjuk Noongar people.

Thrombolites | Lake Richmond

Hidden within Lake Richmond are ancient thrombolites, living microbial structures recognised as some of the oldest life forms on Earth. Dating back roughly 2.5 billion years, these remarkable organisms provide a rare glimpse into the earliest stages of life on the planet and continue to grow slowly beneath the lake’s shallow waters today.

For Noongar people, the thrombolites hold cultural and spiritual significance and are connected to the Wagyl, the powerful creator spirit and guardian of fresh water. Often referred to as the “eggs of the Wagyl”, they form part of the stories and songlines woven throughout this landscape.

The positioning of thrombolites within the lakes also played a role in traditional navigation and cultural knowledge systems. Rather than relying solely on the stars themselves, Noongar people would read the spaces and patterns between them, following the “gaps in the stars” and aligning these understandings with landmarks, waterways and the natural features of Country.

Lake Richmond and nearby Walyungup were important gathering and ceremonial places due to their fresh water, abundant food sources and cultural significance, continuing to hold deep meaning for Whadjuk Noongar people today.

Aboriginal cultural content on this page has been developed with the guidance of local Traditional Owners and custodians. It is shared to provide insight into Country and culture, but does not represent all knowledge or perspectives of Aboriginal people. Trails WA would like to thank In Culture Tours and Hidden deTours for their input in creating this content.