Kordabup: Cultural Heritage and River Landscape

Among the defining themes of Kordabup are the remembrance of early settlers, the cultural heritage of the Styx River and traces of former stock routes. The river landscape is also characterised by granite, waterholes and a seasonal waterfall. For planning your trip, the historical and landscape highlights can be considered separately: they range from the memorial park and the river’s significance to the Noongar to former routes through the area.

Cultural Heritage and Settlement History

Devon and Cornwall Group Park is a memorial park with a plaque commemorating the early settlers of 1924. The park is of considerable historical and social significance as cultural heritage. Group 114 represented families from Devon and Cornwall in England who camped in this area in April 1924. Thus, two references to 1924 stand out in connection with Kordabup: the remembrance of early settlers and the group’s stay. The emphasis differs: the park focuses on remembrance, while the group’s story highlights their origins and stay in the area.

Styx River: Cultural Heritage and Granite Landscape

The Styx River lies in the upper catchment of the Kordabup River near Parry Inlet. The river as a whole is significant to the Noongar people as cultural heritage. It flows over a granite rock face into a large waterhole. Large, well-formed gnamma holes are set into the granite rock face and remain filled with water all year round. The river, rock face and waterhole together shape the description of this landscape.

Styx River Waterfall and Seasonal Water

Styx River Waterfall is a cultural heritage site on the Kordabup River, featuring a large water basin and a seasonal waterfall. Its seasonality differs from the gnamma holes at the Styx River, which remain filled year-round. If you choose the waterfall as a reason for your trip, take its seasonal nature into account.

Historic Routes and Their Traces

The Forest Hill and Moriarty–Camballup Trails include sections of two former, unofficial stock routes. One route dates from 1870, the other from around 1900. Tree markings, ruins, stone ovens, watering points and river fords confirm the course of the original route. The trails are used in part as historic routes, but are not formally marked. The dates are not equally precise: 1870 is given as an exact year, while the second route is dated to around 1900. The memorial plaque and the traces along the routes reveal history in different ways.

Practical Planning

Styx River Waterfall is accessible via Kordabup Road and Fernley Road; a four-wheel-drive vehicle is required to access it via these roads. Check local access information before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Oombulgurri, Woodanilling, Kalgan, Leeman, Mindarie, Wickepin, Karratha, Bindoon.

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