Description of the attraction
Walunga National Park is located on the Darling Ridge on both sides of a steep valley 40 km 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 center of the park. In summer it turns into a string of calm backwaters, and in winter - into a raging stream with numerous rapids. It is in the winter that courses are held here in canoeing 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. Back in the last century, the territory of the park was used by the natives of the Niungar tribe. In general, archaeological finds indicate that the aborigines have lived in these places for the past 6 thousand years! You can get to know the heritage of the past, hear the myths and legends of the indigenous peoples and admire the flora and fauna of the park by walking along the 1, 2-kilometer Aboriginal Heritage Trail, which winds along the banks of the Swan River.
The word "valunga" itself has an aboriginal origin, but its meaning has not yet been precisely established. According to one version, it means "the land of the northern niungars", according to another - "a happy place."
On the banks of the river and on the lowlands of the park, huge umbrella eucalyptus grows, and on both slopes of the valley there are curved eucalyptus trees. The hills are forested, and the steepest mountain ridges can be seen with West Australian eucalyptus trees. The wastelands are teeming with heikia shrubs, grevilleas and other short plants.
The bird population of the park is typical of the bushland of the Darling Ridge. Many of the species found here were once widespread in the coastal plains, but the rate of urbanization and agricultural development have significantly reduced their population. As a result, many more Bushland-specific birds can be found today in Walunga 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 sometimes gray teals appear on its banks. In high water, they hide among the flooded trees, away from the turbulent river flow. Here you can also find the Australian Shepherd and Caroline duck. Fish, frogs, tadpoles and small invertebrates attract many aquatic bird species to the banks of the river, such as small black and variegated cormorants, which pile up in trees and dive from there for prey.
