Heirisson Island

Heirisson Island is nestled between the suburbs of East Perth and Victoria Park on the Swan River. The island is an important part of the City’s Nyoongar heritage and a beautiful oasis of calm in Perth, full of kangaroos. The Nyoongar name for the area is Matagarup (meaning ‘leg deep’) which has been retained for the island. Heirisson Island is listed on the Western Australian Department of Aboriginal Affairs’ register of Aboriginal sites. In 1998 five female western grey kangaroos were introduced to the island, followed by a female with a male joey in 2000. The island is popular with tourists who want to experience Western Australia’s native flora and fauna.