Yanchep is a national park in Western Australia 42 Kms to the north of Perth, known for its caves, native tress and bushes, koala colonies and aboriginal educational programs.
For thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans, Yanchep was a traditional hunting ground for the indigenous people. Nyanyi-Yandjip is their tribal name for the park which is named after the reeds and the lake which were believed to be the hairy mane of the Waugul, a dreamtime creature in their culture. So Yanchep is derived from Yandjip, the native word for the bullrush reeds found around the lakes there.
The aborigines living in the area first met Europeans when they visited Yanchep in 1834. Farmer John Butler came looking for his lost cattle and came across the lakes, wetlands and abundant game. John was greeted by men of the Yellagonga people. The next European to visit the area was Lieutenant George Grey in 1838 who wrote about the remarkable caves he found there.
As well as its indigenous cultural significance, Yanchep is home to a large variety of native flora and fauna. Native mammals such as the Western Grey kangaroo, The quenda and the Black-Glove wallaby make their home there. Trees that can be found there include banksias, tuart, marri, paperbark, she-oak and jarrah. Kangaroo paws, parrot bush, catspaw and yanchep rose are also abundant in the park.
Wildflowers, koalas and a beautiful lake in Yanchep National Park, Western Australia.