Perth Voice Interactive

STORIES of Lake Gwelup’s cultural and ecological past have been presented in artworks and interpretative displays along a permanent walking trail.

The 2.4-kilometre Lake Gwelup Story Trail has come through a collaboration between the Rotary Club of Karrinyup, the Noongar community, wildlife groups, and Stirling council. 

Gwelup is on Mooro country, and one of the chain of seasonal lakes that Whadjak Nyoongar people would rely on when migrating from the coast to inland areas in the colder seasons through until the weather started to warm. 

The Aboriginal history of the lake was shared by Preston Culbong and Dulcie Donaldson of the Ngalang Maya Wangkiny, the knowledge holders working group who contributed to the project. 

Nyoongar traditionally viewed the chain of lakes as all part of the same water. 

It was a place of cultural practices including birthing and ceremonial dances, and more than 1,000 artefacts have been found in the area.

Stirling mayor Mark Irwin said “the stories of the lake stretch back tens of thousands of years, from hunting and gathering in ancient times to marketing gardening by Chinese and European migrants. The signs and public art that make up this story trail give fascinating insight into Lake Gwelup as a place where history, nature and culture connect,” Mr Irwin said.

In the 1870s Chinese growers worked the swamplands around the lake, with Noongar people working their food gardens trading labour for produce. 

European migrants would move into the area after World War I and establish market gardens, until the 1970s when residential development took off. 

The 2.4km trail has been made accessible for families and people with disabilities and takes about 90 minutes to tour at a relaxed pace.