A unique cultural tour which will move with the six Noongar seasons has just launched in the City of Armadale.
On Friday, movers and shakers from Perth’s tourism scene were guided around the Forrestdale Wetlands by cultural custodians at Beelya Cultural Tours’ inaugural Six Seasons Walking Tour.
Beelya Cultural Tours, which launched in July this year, is the brainchild of local Noongar artist Teresa Yeridan Miller (Beelya Yok).
“This has been a dream of mine for a long time,” she said. “And I’m so excited that it’s here now, and that we have the City of Armadale’s support.”
Guests were fascinated by tour guide Derain (Eddie) Amaroo and his insights into Aboriginal people, their culture, local mythology, the wetlands’ abundant food chain, traditional uses for many plants and animals, as well as bush survival skills.
“Forrestdale Lake still seems relatively untouched so it was good to hear about Indigenous culture in a setting like that. And then to have a couple of kangaroos jumping through the long grass as we were gazing at the lake – what luck,” one visitor said.
“The things that I loved were learning about the various customs of the Noongar people and the usefulness of the grass trees and the zamia palms.
“I grew up in the local area but learned so much about the history and significance of what is right at our doorstep.”
The tour ended with a taste of damper and desert lime marmalade.
As we ease into the season of Birak (season of the young) the tour will now move to Armadale Settlers Common – a known birthing place for Aboriginal mothers – where both a ‘Women’s only’ event as well as the regular tours will be held.
From February, a Bunuru walk will take place at Churchman’s Brook; Djeran (April/May) will see the walk move to Bungendore Park; in Makuru (June/July) the tour will take in the Wungong Gorge; and finally, from August, the walk will progress to Roley Pools for the season of Djilba.
To find out more or to book, visit the Beelya Cultural Tours website.
