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Walyalup is a significant area in Whadjuk Noongar boodjar (country). It is an important place where people have lived and visited since kura (long time back).

Aerial view from above wardan: Walyalup and beeliar in foreground, with other Whadjuk boodjar in background. See the winding shape of the beeliar from the Waugal's creation of the waterway.

Noongar	English
boyal	east
djiraly	north
kongal	south
yirel	west

Part of Walyalup is along the yirel coast and includes parts of the wardan (ocean). It includes the area around the beeliar (river) djaa (mouth) and the beeliar some distance djiraly-boyal, and several (kata) hills. Walyalup also extends djiraly, kongal and kongal-boyal of the beeliar djaa area.

Recently, in 1829, Wedjela (white people) arrived at Walyalup. They began to use the English name Fremantle for Walyalup. Today, the name Fremantle is used most of the time instead of Walyalup, especially by people who are not Noongar. Wedjela also altered the natural structure of the beeliar djaa to create a harbour for ships and boats. The beeliar estuary in Walyalup operates as Fremantle Port.

Walyalup holds much important spiritual, social, historic and aesthetic significance for kura, yeye and boorda (past, present and future). There is much waangkiny (speaking) possible about this special boodjar which has been able to sustain people for more than 50,000 years. For now, this article offers an introduction to some significant aspects of Walyalup. Much more katitjiny (knowing) can be written into it over time.

Significant Places

There are several significant places in Walyalup boodjar. Some of these places are noted here, and their deep significance is then described through the dreaming stories. The connection between the different physical places and their kaartdijin is clear. The spiritual, social and physical factors weave together in a way which creates something whole.

Garrungup/Garungup (Waugul Cave at Rocky Bay)

Garrungup Cave

There is a cave called Garrungup, or Garungup, located in the Waugal Mia (Waugal shelter/home), a large limestone cliff on the djiraly foreshore of the beeliar. Garrungup means ‘place of anger’. This is the final resting place of the Waugal, a very significant site in the Perth region. The Waugal, the snake-like creature responsible for the creation of many waterways and landforms in Noongar boodjar, is central to belief, law and custom. A Whadjuk Noongar Elder waangkiny that this cave is near John Street in Djiraly Walyalup (North Fremantle) and his uncle told him not to go there.4 Rocky Bay is the English name of this place.

Manjaree

Manjaree

Dwerda Weeardinup

Dwerda Weeardinup, looking from djirely

Wadjemup (Rottnest Island)

Thousands of years ago Walyalup and Wadjemup were connected. There was one land mass which included both places. Whadjuk Noongar Traditional Owner and Whadjuk Noongar Boordier Yok waangkiny (spoke) kaartdijin handed down, that people jenna koorliny (go by feet, walked) between the places. However there was a time when wardan levels rose and the boodjar between the two places was submerged, making Wadjemup a koort boodjar (island). Many important sites between these places were also submerged. A Traditional Owner waangkiny this probably includes camping grounds, ceremonial grounds, and ochre sites. Wadjemup is now about 20 kilometres yirel from the mainland boodjar, is still culturally important, and holds historical significance.