Walking Together: An Unforgettable NAIDOC Hike Through Serpentine National Park
A journey through Bindjareb Noongar Boodjar with Bindjareb Elder George Walley and Off The Beaten Track WA.
Wade McColl (10/07/2026)
(L-R): Tracy Jones, Founder Off The Beaten Track WA, Wade McColl, Founder & Director Baldivis Times, Bindjareb Noongar Elder George Walley, Mandjoogoordap Dreaming. Photo by Myah Loo, Baldivis Times 2026.
When a heavy winter downpour clears to reveal a vibrant, sunlit forest, there are few places more magical than the Perth Hills. The Baldivis Times team stepped onto Stacey’s Loop in the Serpentine National Park for a unique NAIDOC Week hiking experience, invited by Off The Beaten Track WA founder Tracy Jones.
The "Footprints Through Time" hike brought together a diverse group of 34 people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Led collaboratively by Tracy Jones and highly respected Bindjareb Noongar Elder George Walley of Mandjoogoordap Dreaming, the event was a beautiful, immersive exploration of connection, environment, and shared history.
A Vibrant, Post-Rain Forest
Moss growing at the base of a tree stump. Photo by Wade McColl, Baldivis Times 2026.
Setting off from the Kitty’s Gorge trailhead directly opposite the historic Jarrahdale Cemetery, the landscape was completely transformed by the previous night's rain. The bushland was incredibly lush and green, with native moss, lichen, and wild fungi bursting to life along the forest floor.
The trail immediately showcased its rich botanical diversity, heavily populated by stunning native quandong and snottygobble trees.
Before the boots even hit the main dirt track, George Walley grounded the group with an Acknowledgment of Country, formally welcoming walkers onto Bindjareb Noongar boodjar. Right on cue, nature provided its own welcome as a brightly colored striated pardalote darted through the damp ferns nearby.
The Forest Pharmacy
Bindjareb Noongar Elder George Walley harvests marri resin, then explains the uses of the balga/grass tree. Photo by Wade McColl, Baldivis Times 2026.
One of the most immersive moments of the trek occurred when George invited the group to experience traditional Noongar bush medicine first-hand. Stopping by a towering marri tree, he pointed out the dark red resin bleeding from the trunk and encouraged walkers to give it a try. Harvested straight from the bark, the raw gum carries a distinctly bitter, soapy flavor, but it serves a powerful practical purpose. Packed with potent antioxidant and antibacterial properties, this natural remedy was traditionally used to heal tooth wounds and soothe painful mouth ulcers.
George also highlighted the incredible versatility of the balga (grass tree), which functioned as an all-in-one resource for survival. He explained how the plant's resin was utilized to engineer strong traditional glues, while the dried stalks were prized for making fire sticks. Beyond its structural uses, the balga offered a surprising source of sustenance. The white, tender bases of the long shoot leaves are completely edible, offering a unique flavour profile that tastes remarkably similar to desiccated coconut. It was a fascinating revelation that reminded everyone just how deeply the Noongar people understood and utilized every layer of the Australian bush.
Listening to the Gooralong
The Gooralong Brook which flows through Stacey’s Loop trail. Photo by Wade McColl, Baldivis Times 2026.
As the group wound down the valley beneath towering jarrah and marri trees, the hike offered a masterclass in both environmental science and ancient cultural lore. Tracy highlighted the unique geographical features of the Darling Scarp, an ancient plateau weathering away over millions of years, while George shared the deep spiritual stories tied to the land.
The walk led the group to the banks of the Gooralong Brook, which was flowing with beautiful, crystal-clear water. In this tranquil setting, George invited the hikers to pause for a brief, shared meditation. Standing in silence with eyes closed, the group tuned out the modern world, listening purely to the rushing water, the wind through the canopy, and the insects and birdlife that call the river home.
One central message echoed throughout the day and stayed with us long after the hike had ended:
If we care for Country, Country will care for us.
It is a simple yet incredibly powerful reminder that looking after this land is a collective responsibility we all share.
Reclaiming the True Names of the Land
Bindjareb Noongar Elder George Walley and Tracy Jones speak on country. Photo by Wade McColl, Baldivis Times 2026.
The hike also served as an important educational reminder of the area's deep history. Long before European settlers arrived in the 1850’s and established logging industries, the Whadjuk and Bindjareb Noongar People lived in perfect harmony with this landscape, building complex fish traps downstream from the local falls.
While modern maps often favor colonial names, like the massive ridge line named after Ralph Darling - a controversial nineteenth-century Governor - the tour highlighted the importance of recognizing the original Noongar geography. The ancient plateau edge is traditionally known as Kattamorda, and the Serpentine Falls, downstream from Gooralong Brook, is known by its beautiful ancestral name of Waangaamaap Bilya.
One Shared Journey
Off The Beaten Track Guides pictured with Bindjareb Noongar Elder George Walley. Photo by Wade McColl, Baldivis Times 2026.
Marking 50 years of NAIDOC celebrations, the collaborative hike perfectly symbolized the spirit of reconciliation, proving how much can be learned and achieved when communities choose to walk side by side.
A profound thank you goes out to Tracy Jones from Off The Beaten Track WA and Elder George Walley from Mandjoogoordap Dreaming for organizing and facilitating this exceptional community experience. Their shared knowledge left every participant with an open mind, a curious heart, and a deeper respect for the ancient land we all call home.