Living off the Land
Kings Park and Botanic Garden is home to a diverse range of flora and landscapes, all of which were understood and used for survival by the native Aboriginal people of the South-West, the Nyoongar people. The Boodja Gnarning Walk captures some of this knowledge and explores Nyoongar use of the land.
Interpretive signage panels provide information and artworks from the Nyoongar people for visitors to follow while experiencing a selection of Kings Park’s significant attractions including the Gija Jumulu (Giant Boab tree), the Lotterywest Federation Walkway, the Beedawong Meeting Place, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander War Memorial and the Pioneer Women's Memorial in the Water Garden.
The initial one kilometre walk breaks into two separate paths known as the Maarm (male) Track and the Yorga (female) Track; both are open for visitors of either gender.
The Maarm Track highlights the land and trees used by Nyoongar people for tools, shelter, hunting and spiritual purposes. It is 2.4 km long and takes approximately 90 minutes to walk. A medium incline and some soft ground makes this track less suited to people with limited mobility.
The Yorga Track highlights Nyoongar women’s traditional roles and responsibilities including the gathering of food, tool and shelter implements and medicines from the area now known as the Water Garden. It is 1.8 km long and takes approximately 50 minutes to walk. The low incline and hard pavement makes the track suitable for prams and wheelchairs.
A comprehensive colour brochure is available from the Visitor Information Centre and is highly recommended to enhance the visitor’s experience. The Boodja Gnarning Walk brochure includes a detailed map, snippets of Nyoongar language and additional information on the walk. You can also download it via our brochures section or by clicking on the image of the brochure cover above.