Walunga National Park sits on the Darling Ranges on either side of a steep valley 40 kilometres from Perth. To the east of the park, in the picturesque Avon Valley, the Avon River merges with the Brockman River and together they give rise to the Swan River, which flows through the centre of the park. In summer it becomes a string of calm pools and in winter a raging torrent with numerous rapids. It is in winter that canoeing courses are organised here on the so-called "white water" - the most dangerous.
"Walunga" is also famous for its wild flowers, fragrant in winter and spring, abundance of animals and breathtaking mountain scenery. As far back as the last century, the park's territory was used by the Nyungar Aboriginal people. In fact, archaeological evidence suggests that Aboriginal people have lived in the area for the last 6,000 years! You can learn about the heritage of the past, hear the myths and legends of the Aboriginal peoples and admire the flora and fauna of the park by following the 1.2 kilometre Aboriginal Heritage Trail, which winds along the banks of the Swan River.
The word "Walunga" itself is of Aboriginal origin, but its meaning is still not precisely established. According to one version, it means "land of the northern Nyungaras", according to another, "happy place."
There are huge umbrella eucalyptus trees along the banks of the river and in the lowlands of the park, and bent-topped eucalyptus trees on both slopes of the valley. The uplands are forested and Western Australian Eucalyptus can be seen on the steepest mountain crests. The heathlands abound with heikia shrubs, grevilleas and other low plants.
The park's bird population is typical of the bushland of the Darling Range. Many of the species here were once widespread on the coastal plains, but the pace of urbanisation and agricultural development has greatly reduced their populations. As a result, many more characteristic bushland birds can now be found in the Walungi area than in the famous parks near Perth, including Kings Park and Yanchep National Park.
When the level of the Swan River drops, black ducks and occasionally grey teal appear on its banks. In floods they hide amongst submerged trees, away from the turbulent river flow. The Australian pegan and Carolina duck can also be found here. Fish, frogs, tadpoles and small invertebrates attract many aquatic bird species to the river banks, such as small black and mottled cormorants, which cluster in the trees and dive for prey from there.
