Blackwall Reach
Commander L. S. Dawson R. N. Admiralty Surveyor named the area Blackwall Reach in 1896 - probably because it had a similar appearance to a place of that name on the River Thames near Greenwich, England. Back then, the name referred to that part of the river, not just one side of the river or the other. In the twentieth century, the riverside land on the eastern bank that lies just south of Point Walter was specifically called Blackwall Reach. It contains limestone cliffs, and remnant vegetation adjacent to the river's edge.
Blackwall Reach has a long cliff face which rises to an average height of 10 metres. Most of the cliffs on the northern side do not reach this height. Quarrying of the rock face, initially to create North and South Mole at the entrance to Fremantle Harbour began around 1890, continued into the late 1920s.
The cliffs have been formed by the eroding processes of the river, which flows from the wide expanse of Mosman Bay into the narrow gap of Blackwall Reach. Rainfall has caused the limestone to be deeply attacked physically and chemically producing frequently sharp points and ledges.
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. The cliff area on the Bicton side was known to the local Aborigines as Jenalup or Dyundalup. This was where women and children learnt life skills, catching fish in the shallow waters and obtaining fresh water from the limestone caves.
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 Point Walter, is the connection between these two trails.
Blackwall Reach is a fishing hotspot. The deep river water in close proximity to the ocean means many unusual catches have been reeled in - including Crayfish and big Dhufish, though Black Bream, Pinkies, Tarwhine. Mulloway and Flathead are the more likely catches. Crabs are plentiful in it's depths.
Another very popular sport near the cliffs is scuba diving. At 30 metres, the Swan River is at its deepest here. The water is usually clear enough to have decent visibility, allowing you to watch fish, seahorses, dolphins and other marine life in their element amongst caves, old cars, motorbikes, shopping trolleys and many other items that have been driven or pushed off the cliffs over the years.
A gap in the rocks, locally known as the Never Never, is a popular location for jumping into the river, though it can be quite dangerous and numerous people have been injured or killed here. The secret is jump well out away from the cliff face into the deeper water.
If jumping is not your thing, it is possible to climb down into the Never Never and explore the caves around its base at water level. if you take a torch, you can clamber as far as 50 metres into them.
Blackwall Reach Reserve has been Crown land since the late 1800s. The Melville Road Board 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'. 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. The tram service did bring Point Walter to life, however. It became a popular picnic spot and restaurants and a dance floor were established.
Facilities at Blackwall Reach Reserve include a car park, walking trails and numerous lookout points on the cliffs above the river. Break ins have become a bit of an issue at the Point Walter Road parking spots so keep your valuables out to sight to reduce the risk of damage.
How to get there: the eastern side of the reach is best accessed off Point Walter Roadd down Beach Street, Bicton. Blackwall Reach Reserve is on Blackwall Reach Parade, Bicton.
