Aboriginal History & Culture

Learn about the
Bindjareb people
of the Noongar
Nation

Kaya Wandjoo, nidja Bindjareb Noongar Kaadadjan (hello, welcome and learn from the Bindjareb people of the Noongar nation).

The first people of the region were the Bindjareb people of the Noongar Nation, who named the locality Mandjoogoordap (now Mandurah) which translates to ‘meeting place of the heart’. You can learn the stories, secrets and traditions of one of the oldest surviving cultures in earth on an Aboriginal history and culture tour, at significant sites and art galleries.

Artworks

Mandurah Eastern Foreshore – the curved design of the seawall reflects the shapes of the Wagyl, a major spirit of Noongar people. Central to their beliefs and customs, the Wagyl is a snake or rainbow serpent recognised by Noongar as the giver of life, maintaining all fresh water sources.

Eastern Foreshore Seawall Mandurah — Mandurah Eastern Foreshore

Mandurah Bridge – on the wall at the Eastern end of the bridge’s footpath is a welcome to country written in Noongar dialect. You’ll find the English translation on the Western end of the bridge’s footpath.

Welcome to Country Mural – As you meander around Mandurah, you’ll come to notice many Aboriginal art pieces and sculptures, such as the magnificent ‘Welcome to Country’ mural on the wall of the Mandurah Visitor Centre. The artwork by artists Peta and Corey Ugle tells the Aboriginal story of how Mandurah’s vast waterways were created.

Welcome to Country Mural at the Mandurah Visitor Centre

3D Augmented Reality – Come to the Mandurah Visitor Centre to enjoy a 3D Augmented Reality experience that brings the amazing ‘Welcome to Country’ mural by artists Peta & Corey Ugle to life and tells the Aboriginal story of how Mandurah’s vast waterways were created.

Augmented Reality Experience at the Mandurah Visitor Centre

Bonu-Wongie – Message Stick – located on Mandurah’s Eastern Foreshore, this sculpture represents the invitation from the Winjan Aboriginal Community to the City of Mandurah to work together.

Yaburgurt Memorial – located on Mandjar Square, this memorial celebrates and commemorates the life of the Aboriginal leader Yaburgurt, also known as George Winjan, a survivor of the Pinjarra Massacre of 1834. The artwork consists of a spherical shape with tall glass panels that represent the six Noongar seasons as well as highlighting Mandurah’s Aboriginal ancient and contemporary aspects of life and culture.

Immerse yourself in the experience further with our Augmented Reality (AR) feature, unveiling additional layers of meaning and highlighting the intricate details of this cultural masterpiece.

Keep an eye out for the pavement decals around the artwork, scan the QR code, and follow the prompts to launch the AR experience on your smartphone.

Yaburgurt Memorial in Mandurah — Yaburgurt Memorial at Mandjar Square (outside the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre)

Connection at Stingray Bay – this steel sculpture honours the spirit of the site’s traditional owners and its significance as an ancient meeting place.

Artwork 'Connection' at Stingray Point, Mandurah

Winjan’s Camp – Located at Yaburgurt Kaaleepga Reserve in Halls Head, this monument commemorates the memory of George Winjan, who was also known as Yaburgurt. He was an Aboriginal leader and a survivor of the tragic Pinjarra Massacre of 1834. The monument harks back to the time when Winjan established his camp in close proximity to this location. He and fellow Noongar people frequently chose this area as a camping ground, extending along the estuary’s edge during a period when the landscape was entirely covered in wilderness. This was a peaceful place where they could camp and also engage in employment opportunities presented by the incoming settlers.

Winjan's Camp in Halls Head, Mandurah — Winjan's Camp located at Yaburgurt Kaaleepga Reserve on McLarty Rd in Halls Head

Seascapes Walkway – located in Halls Head, this 3 km footpath from Halls Head to Falcon features interpretive signs with information on native species and the traditional Aboriginal use of plants and animals.

Tours & Experiences

Manjoogoordap Dreaming

Let George Walley take you on a journey through Mandurah or the region’s bushland and waterways. Hear Dreamtime stories and visit significant sites and learn about bush tucker on a walking, boat cruise or bus tour, departing from Mandurah. Find out more.

Goolamwiin

Learn about the Noongar people, discover bush tucker and medicinal plants, hear storytelling and get hands on with Aboriginal tools on these Aboriginal cultural bush tours and overnight camping experiences, departing from Mandurah. Find out more.

Kaarak Dreaming

Step into the Dreamtime, learn about ancient dreaming stories and join in a yarning circle. Be guided on an ancient Dreaming Trail bush walk in Dwellingup while learning about traditional hunting. Find out more.

Forest Heritage Centre

At Forest Heritage Centre in Dwellingup you can learn about the Aboriginal six seasons, traditional nutrition and listen to Dreamtime stories with Aboriginal Elders as you make and eat a damper and kangaroo supper.

Mandurah Community Museum

The Mandurah Community Museum has a well-established oral history program with one of its main focuses being the collection of stories and life histories of Aboriginal people in the Peel region.

Significant Sites

The Peel Yalgorup Wetlands have special significance for the Noongar people as important sources of food and water, used for ceremonial purposes and are part of the dreaming and their natural beliefs. Whilst all waterways are important to the Noongar people, some significant Aboriginal heritage sites include campsites at the Serpentine River mouth and Island Point and a ceremonial site at Egg Island. Please respect the cultural significance of these sites.

Bilya Country Story Trail© is an interactive trail map that details 13 important sites to commemorate places of historical and cultural interest to the Mandurah Bindjareb community. Please respect the cultural significance of these sites.