Nyungar Tourist Trail at Port Coogee

About the Nyungar Tourist Trail


The Nyungar Tourist Trail is located within an important traditional gathering place for the Nyungar people at Port Coogee. The trail features Ngarkal (Seagull) Beach and The Lookout plus Kidogo Glass Artworks. The trail also includes signage and an audio facility that shares important Aboriginal stories. The Trail is part of the City’s strong commitment towards promoting reconciliation.

Take a walk around Wardan Gepa Boodjaralup (the sea shore) at Port Coogee, hear stories in traditional Nyungar language and learn more about the history of the region through the Nyungar Tourist Trail.

View the trail on the map below.

Important note: The map is equipped with additional accessibility features including in-map voice and accessible colour choice. If you would like to access these features, please make sure they are switched on before conducting your search.

Ngarkal (Seagull) beach

Local Nyungar people camped at Port Coogee beach and it was known as ‘Seagull Camp’. For Nyungar people, gulls play an important spiritual role, from back before the sea levels rose, when Wadjemup (Rottnest), Meeandip (Garden) and Ngoorloormayup (Carnac) islands were coastal hills. Gulls now maintain the spiritual link by flying between Nyungar country on the mainland, and the islands.

You will find Ngarkal Beach on Medina Road in Port Coogee.

Kidogo glass artworks

This portion of the Nyungar Tourist Trail features seven glass artworks created by the Kidogo Artist’s Team. Paintings were created and printed onto glass, covering stories of:

  • Regeneration
  • Hazy Summer
  • Gathering
  • Wetlands in spring
  • Shallow waters
  • Crossing Cockburn Sound
  • Beeliar Boodjar Grass trees (Balga) have also been planted here.

You will find the Kidogo Glass Artworks within the chain of parks running east and west from Lucretia Circle.

The Lookout

This spot high on the hill overlooks the coast. It is planted with Casuarina trees, a significant tree for the Nyungar people. These were used for making spears, the trunks for attracting grubs for eating, and the liquid helped with toothaches. The trees are pollinated by the wind, which whispers through the canopy. The Nyungar word for Casuarina tree is ‘kwel’.

You will find The Lookout at the corner of Bombay Heights and Podman Loop, by walking up the path to the hill.

Nyungar words

  • Warden: sea
  • Maaman mar: sea breeze
  • Boodjar: land
  • Boodjar-gordo: island
  • Ngintt: stars
  • Gooiara: sand
  • Doolum: shark
  • Wurlock: seaweed
  • Manyinee: sea lion
  • Nanga-banya: hot sun
  • Nanga-nardog: sunset.

More information and contact

Please contact the Aboriginal Community Development Officer for more information on the Nyungar Tourist Trail on 08 9411 3444 or at [email protected].

Contact

Address

City of Cockburn
Whadjuk Boodja
9 Coleville Crescent,
Spearwood 6163

PO Box 1215, Bibra Lake DC,
Western Australia, 6965

Office opening hours:
8.30am to 4.30pm
Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)

Language Support

Social Media

Cockburn Nyungar moort Beeliar boodja-k kaadadjiny. Koora, yeyi, benang baalap nidja boodja-k kaaradjiny.
Ngalak kaditj boodjar kep wer kaadidjiny kalyakool yoodaniny, wer koora wer yeyi ngalak Birdiya koota-djinanginy.

City of Cockburn acknowledges the Nyungar people of Beeliar boodja. Long ago, now and in the future they care for Country.
We acknowledge a continuing connection to land, waters and culture and pay our respects to the Elders, past and present.