Kepwari Walk Trail, Esperance

The Kepwari Wetlands Trail offers opportunities to explore the deep connection between Noongar people and the plants of the landscape, many of which provided important food, medicine and practical resources for thousands of years.

Along the trail, walkers may encounter wattle species whose seeds were traditionally collected, ground and used as a nutritious food source. Today, wattle seed continues to be used in modern bush food cuisine for its rich, roasted flavour.

Ancient plant species such as Macrozamia (zamia) also feature throughout the area, offering insight into the sophisticated cultural knowledge required to safely process certain traditional foods. While highly toxic when raw, the seeds could be carefully prepared through extensive traditional methods to make them safe for consumption.

The trail also showcases the importance of plants in traditional Noongar material culture. Balga (grass tree) was one of the most valuable plants, with its resin used as a strong natural adhesive and its flower stalks crafted into tools and implements. Paperbark provided practical shelter and protection in wet weather and was widely used for wrapping, bedding and carrying materials.

Together, these plants reflect the deep ecological knowledge, resourcefulness and cultural practices that have sustained Noongar people on Country for tens of thousands of years.

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 Dabungool Cultural Experiences for their input in creating this content.