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The most sacred part of the area is the cliffs along Blackwall Reach. In aboriginal culture it was traditionally a place for women and children (N. Nannup, pers. comm.). Before white settlement the Beeliar family group (clan) occupied the area. The Beeliar clan is part of the Whadjuk, being one of the 14 language groups, which occupy the Nyungar region in the South-West of WA. One of the many dreaming trails which run along the Swan River passed through the area now known as Point Walter and Blackwall Reach. The Swan River is highly significant to the Nyungar people, as, in the dreaming, the river was made by the Waugal rainbow serpent. The dreaming trail on the southern side of the river is the Yorga (women’s) trail and the men’s trail is found on the northern side. 

The sand bar, which stretches out from the point, is the connection between these two trails (C. Pitulej, pers. comm.). In the summer months the large variety of plants and animals in the area provided the Aborigines with an abundance of food and other resources such as string made from the native wisteria (Hardenbergia comptoniana) and gum from the marri (Corymbia calophylla - formerly Eucalyptus calophylla). Blackwall Reach Reserve has been Crown land since the late 1800’s. Commander L. S. Dawson R. N. Admiralty Surveyor named the area Blackwall Reach in 1896 – probably after Blackwall Reach on the Thames River near Greenwich. In the early 1900’s, the Melville Road Board (now Melville City Council) received complaints regarding the “neglected and unimproved state” of Point Walter. From 1907 to 1912, negotiations ensued with the Minister for Lands for the Melville Road Board to take control of the reserve. The Melville Road Board soon decided that land communication with Point Walter was essential since river steamers did not provide an adequate service and the road to Point Walter was “little better than a bush track” (Uren 1975). 

In 1915 a tram service was established to Point Walter. It was not a successful operation. The service rarely showed a profit except in the summer months (Uren 1975). The tram service did bring Point Walter to life, however. It became a popular picnic spot and restaurants and a dance floor were established. Old residents recall the tram still running in the early 1950’s. It was probably closed down soon after this time. Concrete foundations at the northern end of the reserve are all that remains of a tram stop.

Trails here

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