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Jenna Biddi Yorga, Blackwall Reach, Bicton

Bush Walk

(+1)
Urban Walk
inPerth & Surrounds

  • Less than 1 hour
  • 2 km
    • Bush Walk Grade 1

Jenna Biddi Yorga “women’s feet walking on the path”, in Whadjuk Noongar.

We invite both women and men to walk this path, however we ask all the men who do so to respectfully acknowledge Jennalup (Blackwall Reach) as a women’s area in the past, and encourage the men to continue this acknowledgement into the future.

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Trail Start

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Bicton Baths, Blackwall Reach Parade

Trail End

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Point Walter, Honour Avenue

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Bicton_Baths_image_by_Ben_Ansell

Welcome to Jenna Biddi Yorga. We invite both women and men to walk this path, however we ask all the men who do so to respectfully acknowledge Jennalup (Blackwall Reach) as a women’s area in the past, and encourage the men to continue this acknowledgement into the future.

To begin, listen to Whadjuk Elder Marie Taylor welcome us to beeliar boodja, the land of the rivers.

To do this, download the 'Geotourist App' to listen to the audio, or alternatively visit the Explore Parks WA website (Swan Canning Riverpark) to hear other cultural heritage audio stories about Jennalup.

Photo: Ben Ansell DPaW
Health_of_the_river

To Whadjuk Noongars, Bicton foreshore is known is known as Kwoppa Kepa, which translates to beautiful water. For thousands of years the Whadjuk Noongar people created trails and walked their culture into the riverscape. Download the 'Geotourist App' to listen to Whadjuk Elder Noel Morich explain why the river was so important to Noongars.

Photo: Miranda Jackson DPAW
Bicton_Foreshore

These lands formed part of the Beeliar territory; Beeliar was the territory of the legendary Whadjuk Noongar, Midgegooroo, who was the Elder for the area at the time of European settlement and the father of Yagan. Listen to Whadjuk Elder Marie Taylor talk about Yagan’s strong leadership and resistance fighting during the early years of the Swan River Colony.

To do this, download the 'Geotourist App' to listen to the audio.

Photo: Ben Ansell DPaW
Blackwall_Reach_Image_3_(3)

Download the 'Geotourist App' to learn about the significance of these limestone cliffs, where Marie Taylor 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. And how the Waagle, a powerful serpent-like creature formed these limestone rocks.

Alternatively visit the Explore Parks WA website (Swan Canning Riverpark) to hear other cultural heritage audio stories about Jennalup.

Photo: Ben Ansell DPaW
Blackwall_Reach_Image_2_(2)

Jennalup, the place of feet, is very significant to Whadjuk people. Download the 'Geotourist App' to listen to Marie Taylor explain why Jennalup is so important and how it became the deepest part of the river.

Alternatively visit the Explore Parks WA website (Swan Canning Riverpark) to hear other cultural heritage audio stories about Jennalup.

Photo: Ben Ansell DPaW
Blackwall_Reach_6

The wattle tree is special to Whadjuk people. Download the 'Geotourist App' to listen to 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.

Alternatively visit the Explore Parks WA website (Swan Canning Riverpark) to hear other cultural heritage audio stories about Jennalup.

Photo: Ben Ansell DPaW
Blackwall_Reach_3

Looking out to the river you can 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. Download the 'Geotourist App' to listen to Marie Taylor talk more about this special place.

Alternatively visit the Explore Parks WA website (Swan Canning Riverpark) to hear other cultural heritage audio stories about Jennalup.

Photo: Ben Ansell DPaW
Blackwall_Reach_5

Stand where you are and take in a deep breath. Smell anything pungent? Hear Whadjuk Elder Noel Morich explain what you may be smelling.

To do this, download the 'Geotourist App' to listen to the audio. Alternatively visit the Explore Parks WA website (Swan Canning Riverpark) to hear other cultural heritage audio stories about Jennalup.

Photo: Ben Ansell DPaW
Fish_Traps

Continue walking down to Djoondalup (Point Walter sand spit), where Whadjuk Noongars once used this area to build fish traps. Download the 'Geotourist App' to listen to Whadjuk Elder Noel Morich explain the method of how to trap fish.

Photo: Miranda Jackson DPaW
Place_of_white_sand

You are now standing at Djoondalup, “place of the white hair”, look out for the wooden interpretation facility to learn more of how Whadjuk Noongars used this area to cross from one side of the river to the other, walking on the sand spit- the hair of the Charnock Woman. Download the 'Geotourist App' to listen to Whadjuk Elder Marie Taylor talk about the significance of the sand spit.

To learn more about the history of Point Walter and other key sites along the river, download the 'Melville Water Riverpark Trail' on the Geotourist App. You can also visit the Explore Parks WA website (Swan Canning Riverpark) to hear more audio stories about the river.

Photo: Miranda Jackson DPaW

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Trails WA supports the seven principles recommended by Leave No Trace Australia for minimising your impacts when using the trails.

Learn more

Come join us on a Whadjuk cultural heritage journey along Kwoppa Kepa (Bicton foreshore) and through Jennalup (Blackwall Reach Reserve).

Running along Jennalup is one of many dreaming trails which traverse along the Swan and Canning Rivers. This dreaming trail on the southern side of the river is the yorga biddi (women’s trail) and the men’s trail is found on the northern side. The sand spit (Djoondalup), connects these two trails. To the Whadjuk people Jennalup was traditionally a place for women and children, and carries the story of Djunda the Charnock woman.

Download the Geotourist App to listen to the audio recordings from Whadjuk Elders Marie Taylor and Noel Morich sharing their stories of this area. Alternatively visit the Explore Parks WA website (Swan Canning Riverpark) to hear other audio stories shared by the Elders about this part of the river. 

Other Links

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Be trail ready for Jenna Biddi Yorga, Blackwall Reach, Bicton

Here is everything you need to know before visiting this trail.

Time / Duration

Up to 1 hour

Length

4km return

What To Pack

Group A (Urban trails or short trails near facilities) required.

Trail Start

Bicton Baths, Blackwall Reach Parade

Get directions

Trail End

Point Walter, Honour Avenue

Get directions

Bush Walk

Grade 1

No bushwalking experience required. Flat even surface with no steps or steep sections. Suitable for wheelchair users who have someone to assist them. Walks no greater than 5km.

Facilities

  • BBQ Facilities
  • Cafe
  • Child Activities
  • Coach Parking
  • Kiosk
  • Lookouts
  • Parking for Disabled
  • Picnic Area
  • Public Toilet
  • Shaded Area
  • Sheltered Area
  • Toilet Facilities for Disabled
  • View Platform
  • Water Access Points

Best time of year

All year round

Fees

Trail Access

Road 2WD

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1 trail goers have rated Jenna Biddi Yorga, Blackwall Reach, Bicton as 3 out of 5!

We love to hear from people who've been on our Western Australian trails, so it would be most appreciated it if you wanted to leave a review.

Mandy Nicholson

Reviewed 27 Sep 2021, 8:22pm

Loved this Noongar trail in the middle of suburbia. Much to learn and reflect on

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