Bells Beach - Yirripa Yan (Wadawurrung Cultural Walk)

Yirripa Yan (Wadawurrung Cultural Walk) is a scenic and culturally significant walk between Ironbark Basin and Point Addis, combining coastal scenery, diverse bushland and interpretive information about Wadawurrung culture and connection to Country.

Distance: Approximately 3.7 km one way
Time: Approximately 1.5 hours one way
Grade: Grade 3
Start: Ironbark Basin Picnic Area, Point Addis Road, Bells Beach
Finish: Point Addis Day Visitor Area, 325 Point Addis Road, Bells Beach

The walk begins at Ironbark Basin and passes through heathy woodland, ironbark and stringybark forest before continuing towards the coast.

Along the route are interpretive signs developed with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners. The signs provide an opportunity to learn about Wadawurrung culture, plants, Country and the continuing connections between people and this landscape.

One of the themes explored along the walk is papul, or ochre. Ochre from the Jarosite area is culturally significant to Wadawurrung people and has been used for ceremonies, painting, storytelling and healing.

The landscape changes considerably along the walk. Shady forest within Ironbark Basin gives way to more exposed coastal vegetation and spectacular viewpoints across the rugged coastline towards Jarosite Headland and Bass Strait.

Yirripa Yan forms part of the Surf Coast Walk. The track has some steep sections and steps and includes both sheltered forest and exposed coastal sections.

This is a one-way walk, so walkers need to arrange transport between Ironbark Basin and Point Addis or return along the same track.

Safety:

This is a Grade 3 walk with steep sections and steps. Sections can become slippery when wet and parts of the route are exposed to coastal winds and changing weather.

Stay on formed tracks and keep clear of cliff edges. Carry drinking water and wear suitable footwear.

Access for Dogs:

Dogs must be on a leash at all times.

Indigenous Interpretive Signage

Walk Introduction

The Ironbark Basin, known as Yirripa in Wadawurrung language, refers to the 'place of the ironbark'. Wadawurrung men crafted essential items from ironbark timber, such as green stone axe handles. Flowering wattles, banksia, pink heath and native orchids can be found here, especially during the spring and early summer. All these resources were used by the Wadawurrung people for food, medicine and tools.

The unique reef system supports an abundance of marine life and plants, including woody seagrass and kelp. These habitats are important to the Wadawurrung people for collecting resources from the waters, particularly during low tide. Kelp found along the coast was used for ceremonies, cooking and crafting durable bags.

Travelling through the ironbark woodlands leads you to the yellow bluffs of Point Addis Beach, known as Godokul or 'cold place' in Wadawurrung language. During low tide, these cliffs provided shelter. The tops of the cliffs served as gathering places for enjoying seafood feasts. Evidence of these gatherings can be seen in the midden sites.

We advise all to be safe and take care on Wadawurrung Country.

Moornung (Shell middens)

The coastal scrub, sandy dunes and high cliff tops are adorned with shell middens, which contains the remnants of numerous shellfish species. These middens are evidence of the countless meals that were cooked and enjoyed over thousands of years by Wadawurrung people. To harvest the shellfish and resources from the reef, a spatula tool was crafted using hardened tea tree.

The preservation of these sites is of utmost importance today. We kindly request that you respect any barriers and refrain from entering our midden sites.

Mongarrk (Echidna)

Echidnas live in this environment. The Wadawurrung people would observe their footprints and the distinctive marks they left behind while tearing open logs, ant nests and termite mounds. Echidnas seek shelter under bushes and burrow into the soil to escape the heat. Their meat was cooked and eaten, and their quills were used for decorative purposes.

The Wadawurrung people approached hunting and gathering without greed and they only harvested what was necessary for their survival.

Toolim (Grass tree)

Toolim (grass trees) offer a remarkable number of resources, providing the Wadawurrung people with 13 different uses across all layers of the tree. The resin from this plant is a traditional adhesive, while the flower stalks are used for fire-making. The nectar derived from the plant’s flowers also serves as a food source. These trees rely on fire to assist their flowering process.

Regrettably, our Toolim are sick, and we kindly request your assistance in their healing. To help stop the spread of the Cinnamon fungus, we urge you to clean your shoes and bike tyres thoroughly when passing through.

Papul (Ochre)

Bells Beach - Yirripa Yan (Wadawurrung Cultural Walk)

Papul (ochre) is a type of clay that holds great significance for the Wadawurrung people. It plays a vital role in ceremonies, painting, storytelling and healing practices. Papul comes in the colours red, yellow, and white, and held rich trading value within the community.

In the 1920s, the Jarosite mine began removing the rich red papul and turned the country upside down. This papul was combined with oil to create a rust-red paint that was used to coat trains in a distinctive red hue. Additionally, it served as a colouring pigment for housing bricks.

Walart (Possum)

Possums were once plentiful throughout this land, providing a valuable food source for the Wadawurrung people.

The pelts of possums were skilfully stitched together using kangaroo sinew to create intricate possum skin cloaks, worn by the Wadawurrung people. The possum skins were also used for crafting baby carriers and for ceremonial drumming.

Wiyn (Fire)

Wiyn (fire) holds immense cultural significance for the Wadawurrung people and their connection to Country. As a way of caring for Country, fire promotes the rejuvenation of numerous plant species and enriches the soil. In this region, fire has been used as a traditional practice characterised by slow, cool and controlled burning, ensuring the protection of all living things within the area.

The Wadawurrung people care for Country during our fire season starting after the warm summer has passed and before the winter rains fall.

Yirrup (Ironbark)

This is the place of ironbark trees. Renowned for their robust wood, their thick bark is a protective shield against bushfire. Wadawurrung men skilfully crafted this wood to shape shields, spears and various other wooden tools. They would also etch and engrave intricate designs into the ironbark trees, leaving their artistic mark.

Take a moment to deeply listen ... within this woodland, a diverse array of bird species can be heard and observed.

Review:

A really interesting walk with a variety of vegetation zones with grass trees being a highlight. There are also a number of lookout points with views over the spectacular coastal cliffs. The walk is dotted with interpretive signs with indigenous themes.

We did the walk from the Point Addis end. After exploring this area which has a boardwalk with lookouts, we drove to a carpark beside Point Addis Road, about 500m north of the main Point Addis carpark. Across the road is a lookout point with introductory signage for the walk. Note: After 100m along Point Addis Road there are toilets on the left.

Shortly after the walk starts there is a set of steps down to Addiscot Beach and then there is a sustained uphill walk until it levels out. There is good signage throughout the walk and it is unlikely that you will get lost. There are a couple of side branches which go back to Point Addis Road.

There is a 20m diversion to a lookout with lovely views over the beaches.

Bells Beach - Yirripa Yan (Wadawurrung Cultural Walk)

During winter there was wattle and heath blooming, moss and lichen but little fungi.