Walyunga National Park covers 1,800 hectares of the Darling Range, tucked behind the Darling Scarp covering both sides of a steep valley. Just to the east of the park in the picturesque Avon Valley.
Walyunga contains one of the largest known Aboriginal campsites around Perth and was still in use by the Nyoongar people in the late 1800s. The area has been used as a meeting place for more than 6,000 years. Walyunga is an Aboriginal name, but its meaning is uncertain. Local Nyoongar people believe the Swan River was carved by the Waugal and greet the dreamtime serpent here by rubbing sand on their bodies and throwing it in the water.
The Swan River is the main attraction in the park as it thunders through in winter and meanders by in the drier months. This section of the Swan is characterised by rapids followed by deep pools and in the park the visitor can experience these attributes at Syd’s Rapids, Walyunga Pool and Boongarup Pool.
The woodland understorey is lovely in the spring when it comes alive with wildflowers.
Tourists are advised to check for alerts and road/park closures before commencing their travel on www.emergency.wa.gov.au and https://alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au
