Boorloo Bridge opened on December 22, 2024 providing a stunning access way for pedestrians and cyclists from East Perth to Victoria Park via Heirisson Island and parallel to the Causeway Bridge.
Boorloo is the Noongar name for Perth and the design of the bridge recognises Whadjuk Noongar culture and the heritage significance of the area. The bridge spans the Swan River (Derbarl Yerrigan) at Heirisson Island (Matagarup - meaning “a place where the river is only leg deep,”). Matagarup was a shallow crossing point of the river originally consisting of six individual islands interspersed with mud flats which is now a man- made landscape called Heirisson Island. It was a crossing point and a gathering place for different family groups and visiting tribes from outside of Whadjuk Country for thousands of years. The permanent spring at Mindeera in present- day Victoria Park, now covered over, provided fresh water, and was where many people camped. It was neutral territory for trade, social interaction, and ceremony.
The first European to visit the river as far as Matagarup was explorer Willem de Vlamingh in 1697. It was at the mudflats that Vlamingh’s party saw the footprints of Noongar people, which were described as ‘of an extraordinary large size’. Early explorers found the shallow flats as a barrier and the wetlands obstructive, leading to land reclamation. The original Causeway Bridge was built in 1862, forming a key transport route. By 1930, the island expanded through dredging and dumping materials. Major landscaping in the 1970s transformed it into a parkland, and in 1975, it became a 25-hectare A-Class Reserve.
The northern span from Point Fraser (Boodjargabbeelup) features a 52m high boomerang (koylie) pylon acknowledging this as the male side of the river as the men threw boomerangs. The southern span features two 46m high digging stick (wanna) pylons acknowledging the female side of the river at McCallum Park. Females used digging sticks, nurturing the earth. The S shaped curves of the bridge represent the movement of the rainbow serpent (Wagyl). Noongar stories of creation state that the Wagyl moved across the land and formed the hills and valleys and would tunnel underground forming waterways.
The bridge pylons on Boorloo Bridge feature over 17,000 LED lights integrated into each stay cable, creating a huge digital canvas on which colour, movement, and imagery tell Noongar stories and celebrate special days and events. which provides a living narrative where the spirit of the land and its people continue to thrive, linking past and present. You may walk across Boorloo Bridge once but there will be so many more occasions you can revisit to discover the light displays. To discover the cultural narrative and symbolism of the lighting stories and for a map showing the best vantage point to view the lighting click here.
Heirisson Island sits between the two spans and is home to wetlands, a colony of kangaroos, and a statue of Yagan. We have previously tried to walk on Heirisson Island but on the first try the kangaroo enclosure was under maintenance and later the island was off limits as Boorloo Bridge was under construction. Great to finally cross it off the list!
It is a short detour from Boorloo Bridge into the kangaroo enclosure on the western side of Heirisson Island. We walked anti-clockwise from north to south with spectacular views of Point Fraser (Boodjargabbeelup) and Perth (Boorloo) city along the way.
The limestone path skirts the edge of the island passing by a bronze statue of Yagan installed in 1984, as he peers toward the city with his spear raised over his head. Yagan was an iconic figure in the fight for Noongar rights and recognition, born c. 1795. In 1997 Noongar Elders led a campaign to have Yagan’s head returned. They travelled to England and returned with it to Perth in August 1997. The head was buried in 2010.
The trail then passes by wetlands where there are a number of intersecting trails. It is here we found three kangaroos munching on the green foliage with a stunning city backdrop.
Heirisson Island also features a Yarning Circle and a Corroboree Space, enhancing its cultural significance. The trail loops back to access Boorloo Bridge.
You can also walk on the eastern side of the island and this can be accessed from a carpark off the Causeway Bridge, travelling south only, or by walking under the Causeway Bridge at the northern end. Toilets are available on the eastern side of the island.
The Boorloo Bridge development features numerous artworks with sculptures at either end and in the middle.
The southern sculpture at the McCallum Park end is Wanna/Booka (Digging Stick and Cloak)
Both the wanna (digging stick) and booka (kangaroo skin cloak, also spelt bwooka) are significant items in Bibbulmun culture. The Bibbulmun people are one of the fourteen language groups within the Noongar group. In this sculpture, the wanna and booka have been brought together to represent the Bibbulmum yorgah (women), standing at the water’s edge ready to cross to hunt small animals. The form and patterning represent the oyster shells of Matagarup (Heirisson Island), with soft flowing lines depicting the water that flows in the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River), the topographical lines of the land that surrounds and the feminine form.
In the centre of Heirisson Island is a sculpture Ni (Listen) Wongi (Talk)
This sculpture brings together both female and male cultural items, using the full oyster shell from which the wanna (digging stick) and booka (kangaroo skin cloak, also spelt bwooka) was designed. The copper form of a Noongar shield (symbolising male) surrounded by the soft flowing lines and swollen belly of the oyster shell (symbolising female) represents coming together, out of necessity to share kaardijin (knowledge). The sculpture emphasises that we learn far more by ni (listening) than we do by wongi (talking).
The northern sculpture Derbarl Gordo Bodja (River Island of Birth), at the access point next to About Bike Hire at Point Fraser represents a traditional shield and yooral (traditional carrying vessel), with embedded marks representing culturally significant motifs and designs. The sculptural shield features linework mapping the islands, a powerful statement of the continuation of Noongar culture in the context of the Matagarup’s (Heirisson Island’s) current identity. The families who camped, gathered and told stories here are also represented in the lines, with different colours representing different skin groups. The use of traditional artefacts as contemporary sculptural elements alludes to their important function to defend, support, and govern within Noongar lore.
The bridge footings and abutment walls have been decorated with stunning murals and feature hidden details which are delightful. Etchings in the pavement feature footprints representing the people walking through the water, their footsteps creating ripples that echo the past and present.
The abutment wall on the northern entry to the bridge features Moorditj Koort (Strong Heart)
This mural design takes inspiration from the old stories that are told about Matagarup (Heirisson Island), and those who left the New Norcia Mission to walk to Boorloo (Perth), finding family when they reached the island. The artwork features important symbolism representing fresh water of Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) and the once abundant oysters found in this location. Two groups sit in conversation. At the top, the women’s group sitting with digging sticks, making decisions. At the bottom, the group who travelled from New Norcia to Matagarup (Heirisson Island). To the left and right are men’s groups with their spears, keeping watch over moort (families) and boodja (land). Boomerangs and digging sticks are featured in the background representing the hunting and gathering of food, with the white and orange of songlines passing through families and communities.
As you cross onto the northern side of Heirisson Island the abutment wall features Yagan
This mural is inspired by Yagan and the Noongar warriors who opposed the Swan River Colony’s encroachment. Yagan emerged as a prominent Noongar leader during the early colonisation of Noongar land. The mural reflects his legacy and the profound impact he had on Noongar rights and recognition. It also symbolises the return of Yagan’s remains to Perth in 1997, underscoring his enduring significance to the Noongar people and their ongoing connection to the boodja (land).
As the sun sets, five black cockatoos fly across the sky, symbolising the five elders who stood firm in the face of adversity. The landscape transforms, lush and green, representing a land of resistance and resilience. With the sunrise, the repatriation of Yagan's head is honoured, blending the green of the English countryside with the warm tones of Western Australia. The powerful silhouette of Yagan stands tall, a symbol of cultural reunification and strength.
The southern abutment wall on Heirisson Island features Moorditj Ngaangk (Strong Mother)
In Noongar language, the word for ‘mother’ and ‘sun’ share the same name (ngaangk) because they are both the givers of life. This mural symbolises strong women, represented by Fanny Balbuk, a strong woman who walked the traditional paths that Noongar people had walked for hundreds, if not thousands, of years .Fanny Balbuk has ancestral bonds to the surrounding area with her grandmother born on Heirisson Island. She is known for following her bidi (path) across Heirisson Island to Lake Kingsford through the Perth CBD, and to break down any fence or walk through any building that got in her way. In this mural Balbuk is surrounded by the young ones who looked up to her as a strong female leader. The starry night sky where many Dreamtime stories come from, is reflected on the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) below, with the colourful flower buds representing food sources.
At McCallum Park the abutment wall features Six Seasons
Unlike the European calendar, there are six Noongar seasons in Western Australia’s South West region, which are indicated by changes in local plants and animals. The Six Seasons mural reflects the boodjar (land), its rich abundance and the interconnectedness of the natural elements, which hold many stories significant to the Noongar people. This connection facilitates navigation and respect for the land, recognising this as a perpetual journey. The artist’s fascination with song, dance, and art is rooted in the dreaming of the Noongar people, which is an enduring part of their cultural heritage and practice. This artwork embodies the knowledge upheld by the Elders and signifies the continuity of Noongar traditions.
Walking across the kilometre long bridge at a leisurely pace takes about 10-15 minutes but allow extra time to explore the artworks . The 6 metre wide pathway provides dedicated pedestrian and cyclist lanes. The western loop on Heirisson Island through the Kangaroo Enclosure (orange) takes about 20 minutes but this can be extended by taking additional trails around the wetlands.
We walked to Boorloo Bridge (red) from Burswood Park (green) which has 4 hour parking, picnic areas, toilets and a fenced playground. Read more at https://www.outandaboutfnc.com/post/2019/11/16/burswood-heritage-sculpture-trail
It is about a ten minute walk from here to Boorloo Bridge. You can also access from McCallum Park where there is also parking, toilets barbecues and a playground. Read more at https://www.outandaboutfnc.com/post/mccallum-park-to-lake-hurlingham.
To access from the north there is paid parking at Point Fraser, restaurants, toilets and a playground. Read more at https://www.outandaboutfnc.com/post/boodjargabbeelup-and-lake-vasto,
Cultural and heritage references from Mainroads WA.
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I love wandering along trails, both marked and unmarked, and sharing my discoveries with my Out and About FNC community. If you enjoy reading my blogs please consider a small donation which will be used towards the costs of keeping the website up to date and relevant.
In the spirit of reconciliation Out and About- Family Nature Connection acknowledges the traditional owners of the Wadjak Boodjar (Perth land) and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
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