Heirisson Island

Heirisson Island is an artificial island in the Swan River between East Perth and Victoria Park, connected by a bridge system. The island covers roughly 286,000 square meters and features shorelines where western grey kangaroos make their home.

The island was discovered and mapped by French midshipman François-Antoine Boniface Heirisson during Nicolas Baudin's scientific expedition between 1801 and 1804. This exploration helped Europeans understand the Australian coastline and its features.

The Beeloo Noongar people called this place Matagarup, meaning leg deep, a reference to the shallow waters that once surrounded several small islands. The name shows how the original inhabitants understood and described the landscape around them.

A walking path of roughly 2 kilometers circles the island, giving visitors chances to watch the kangaroos in their natural setting. The route is easy to walk and offers several viewing spots along the water's edge.

The island is maintained by the Western Australian government as both a nature reserve and a cultural site, featuring a statue of the Aboriginal warrior Yagan. This statue serves as a focal point and honors the area's importance to Indigenous people.