Yanchep National Park Management Plan 1989-1999

PART C
MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
4.0 HISTORY
Yanchep National Park has a rich history from Aboriginal and European cultures. It was important to
Aboriginal people because it provided plentiful food and water, and to the European settlers because
of its proximity to the main settlement in Perth.
4.1 ABORIGINAL HISTORY
Aboriginal occupation of south-Westem Australia dates back to more than 40 000 years ago
(Merrilees et al. 1973; Hallam 1975 and 1985; Pearce and Barbetti 1981; Dortch 1984). In the
Wanneroo/Yanchep area artefacts have been found dating between 6 500 and 1700 years ago
(Hallam 197 1; Merrilees et al. 1973). Population sizes appear to have fluctuated, however, the
coastal plain supported comparatively higher densities because of the abundance of food and water
(Hallam 1971). The coastal plain was occupied by different groups of the Nyungar people. One
group centred on the Swan estuary and its northern limit extended to between Lake Joondalup and
Lake Neerabup, while another group occupied an area from this point up to Moore River and
extended across to the scarp around Gingin. These groups were closely linked, and these were also
linked with groups in the south west and along the south coast (Hallam 1974).
The chain of linear lakes extending from the Swan River estuary north to Yanchep were well used
because of good water supplies throughout the year and availability of food.,
Use of group areas varied with the seasons. During winter the preferred hunting grounds were further
east, whereas during the summer months the coastal plain was preferred, as water sources dried up
inland (Hallam 1974).
The area of Yanchep National Park, particularly around Loch McNess, was occupied and hunted, and
associated with this are areas of mythological, ritual and ceremonial significance.
The lake was a source of fish, tortoises and birds (Hallam 1974). The reeds of the lakes (Typha
orientalis) were a food source; they were regularly burnt to improve growth, and the roots were
pounded into a paste and used as a type of flour (Hallam 1975). Other animals hunted in the area
included small and large mammals, such as the Western Grey kangaroo, Quokka and Western Brush
Wallaby, as well as snakes and frogs (Hallam 1974).
Fire was a key tool in hunting and gathering. It was used to 'cultivate' and manage the resources of
the land to ensure good, ongoing food supplies. It was used to flush out animals, to stimulate new
growth of plants for eating (as with Typha), to encourage the feeding of animals that could then be
hunted and to clear undergrowth to make passage easier (Hallam 1975 and 1985).
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