Cape to Cape Track, Margaret River (Top trail)

Wadandi Noongar Six Season calendar   

The Wadandi people of the South West region in Western Australia live by the six seasonal rotation. Moving and camping within their traditional area every two months upon the second full moon, paying close attention to the weather patterns while living in harmony with the environment. During the colder times they would move to inland lakes, river systems wetlands and waterholes. When the season changed to warmer periods, families moved back along sheltered bays, estuaries and coastal camping areas. By hunting certain animals at the right time of year and using traditional fire and farming techniques families can ensure their food sources are sustainable. Understanding the interconnectedness between plants, animals, weather movements allow Noongar people to have a strong connection to country, sense of belonging to the land identity spiritual connection. 

Dec/Jan - Birak - Dry and hot long days, cool nights. Hunting animals in scrublands & wetlands. Reptiles emerging from semi hibernation. Marron finished with eggs, Low tides exposed reef, good time to collect abalone and other shellfish. Ideal time for blue groper, reef fish, octopus, oysters & periwinkles. Flowering moodjar spirit tree paperbark woody pear and banksia, ceremony and family gathering time.  

Feb/Mar - Bunuru- Hot days with warm nights, good time to camp and fish along the west coast and south coastal areas for herring, taylor, bream and migrating salmon. Water levels low in river systems, reptiles still abundant good time to catch goanna, emu’s reunite flowering marri blossom and time to harvest emu plums. 

April/May- Djeran - Overcast days and nights cooling less light and low winds, time to fire manage country burning bush land areas. Start to move & camp back on coastal plains begin journey to inland along lakes and rivers. Collect vegetables and fruits, catch fish in estuaries and bays. Salmon migration finishing, long neck turtles on the move. 

Jun/July - Makuru - Cold days and nights, winter rains, strong southwest winds. Time to build strong paper bark mias. Hunt fat kangaroos & wallabies, use skins for warmth. Camping inland in sheltered areas, large cooking fires during the cold nights. First rains bring fertility to the soil, emus & marsupials nesting. 

Aug/Sep - Djilba - Warming days, cold nights season of birth and first flowers. Time to collect potatoes radishes and red onions, camp in sheltered bays and waterways. Second rains fill lakes and waterholes. Good time to hunt kangaroo while fat. Snapper, squid and skippy on the full moon high tide.   

Oct/Nov - Kambarang - Days warm with nights still cool and winds easing. Lots of baby ducks, emus, possums and kangaroos. Time to start moving camp towards the coastal areas, estuary systems and river mouths to maintain fish traps more blue crab and squid, spring tides ideal diving for crayfish and time to make fishing spears.