View source for Point Walter

{{Short description|Point into Swan River, Western Australia}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2017}}
[[File:Point Walter sandbar looking out 1.jpg|thumb|The sandbar as viewed from Point Walter.|292x292px]]
'''Point Walter''' ([[Noongar language|Noongar]]: {{lang |nys |Dyoondalup}}) is a point on the [[Swan River (Western Australia)|Swan River, Western Australia]], notable for its large [[Shoal|sandbar]] that extends into the river. It is located on the southern shore of [[Melville Water]], and forms its western end. Point Walter is located in the suburb of [[Bicton, Western Australia|Bicton]], approximately {{convert|12|km|0}} southwest of the [[Perth CBD|Perth central business district]], and {{convert|7|km|0}} north-east of [[Fremantle]], and is on the opposite side of the river to the suburbs of [[Mosman Park, Western Australia|Mosman Park]], [[Peppermint Grove, Western Australia|Peppermint Grove]], and [[Dalkeith, Western Australia|Dalkeith]].

Point Walter is a site of [[Aboriginal Australians|Aboriginal Australian]] heritage, both for its place in the [[Dreamtime]] and because of the local [[Whadjuk]] people's historical activities at the site. Named in 1827 by [[James Stirling (Royal Navy officer)|James Stirling]], it was popular among the public for its variety of recreational activities and its facilities, such as [[Tea house|tea rooms]], a bathing house and a tavern. Through a series of events, the point suffered a drop in patronage from the late 19th century to [[World War II]]. At that time, it was rehabilitated from a state of disrepair, and an army camp was built on the premises, which was later transformed into a migrant settlement camp. Since the migrant camp's closure in 1972, the facilities have been used for multiple activities.

Since 1912 Point Walter has been run by [[City of Melville|Melville City Council]], and today is contained in the Point Walter Reserve. The reserve and the sandbar serve as important sites for flora and fauna, particularly bird-life. It is popularly used for a variety of recreational activities, and currently hosts the annual Point Walter concert.

== History ==

=== Indigenous history ===
Before European settlement, the Point Walter area was inhabited by [[Indigenous Australians]] of the [[Beeliar people]], who were part of the [[Whadjuk|Whadjuk Noongars]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bushlandperth.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/blackwallreach3.pdf-blackwallreach_management_plan.pdf|title=Blackwall Reach and Point Walter Bushland Management Plan|date=July 2004|website=Bushland Perth|access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref> They knew the area as {{lang |nys |Dyoondalup}}, meaning in the [[Nyungar language|Noongar]] language 'place of long flowing white hair' or 'place of white sand'.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/site/point-walter-blackwall-reach|title=Point Walter / Blackwall Reach|website=Parks and Wildlife Service|access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.communitynews.com.au/melville-times/news/journey-through-rivers-history/|title=Journey through rivers’ history|last=Zimmerman|first=Josh|date=8 March 2016|website=Melville Times|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref> It was traditionally an area for women and children,<ref name=":3" /> but also served as a meeting point when the clan wanted to move to another part of the river. Women at Point Walter would meet with men swimming across from [[Mosman Park, Western Australia|Mosman Park]] to the sandbar. This function of the sandbar for river crossings was a key feature of the site; Mosman Park, also a place for women and children, contained a rock believed to impregnate a woman within a few weeks of her touching it. To cross the river as a group, they would cut down a tree, and children would float across the river on the log, with the adults swimming alongside them.<ref name=":2" />

Aboriginals would often practise [[Controlled burn|controlled burning]] at the site, keeping the [[understory]] low, and flushing out game. During summer months, the site was a source of food and resources through its large variety of flora and fauna. Fishing was common, and fishing traps were used extensively.<ref name=":2" /> Usage of the local flora included making string from the native wisteria (''[[Hardenbergia comptoniana]]'') and gum from the marri (''[[Corymbia calophylla]]'').<ref name=":3" />

=== Early history ===
{{maplink
|frame=yes
|frame-width=360
|frame-height=222
|text=Point Walter is a point on the [[Swan River (Western Australia)|Swan River]] in [[Western Australia]].
|zoom=11

|type=point
|marker-colour=#C60C30
|title=Point Walter
}}
During his survey along the Swan River of suitable spots for settlement,<ref name=":7" /> [[James Stirling (Royal Navy officer)|James Stirling]] named Point Walter after Walter Stirling. Walter's relationship to James is disputed, with some sources claiming Walter was James' uncle,<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.melvillecity.com.au/our-city/publications-and-forms/building-and-development/city-of-melville-local-government-inventory-and-he|title=City of Melville Local Government Inventory 2014|date=2014|website=City of Melville|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523122135/https://www.melvillecity.com.au/our-city/publications-and-forms/building-and-development/city-of-melville-local-government-inventory-and-he|archive-date=23 May 2018|access-date=23 May 2018}}</ref> with others claiming he was his brother.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=https://www.melvillecity.com.au/our-city/publications-and-forms/building-and-development/point-walter-reserve,-including-point-walter-golf|title=Local Government Inventory: BN06|date=2014|website=City of Melville|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523135811/https://www.melvillecity.com.au/our-city/publications-and-forms/building-and-development/point-walter-reserve,-including-point-walter-golf|archive-date=23 May 2018|access-date=23 May 2018}}</ref> In 1830, the land was acquired by settlers Lionel Lukin and Alfred Waylen.<ref name=":7" /> Waylen developed the land by building a villa in 1830, which later burnt down. In 1831 his land was extended by {{convert|700|acres|order=flip}} to include part of his namesake suburb, [[Alfred Cove, Western Australia|Alfred Cove]]. The settlers were involved in skirmishes with the local Beeliar people; Waylen's house was burnt down in 1833,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/642180?searchTerm=Point%20Walter&searchLimits=|title=Fire at Point Walter|date=9 March 1833|work=The Perth Gazette and Western Australian Journal|access-date=8 October 2017}}</ref> and one of Waylen's labourers was speared to death after another labourer killed an Aboriginal for stealing potatoes. This, coupled with infertile soils, saw these early settlers departing; Waylen left for a land grant on [[Preston River]], before returning two years later to establish a more successful property.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/images/documents/conservation-management/riverpark/about/Landscape%20description%20precinct%205.pdf|title=Precinct 5 - South Melville Water Point Walter to Canning Bridge|website=Parks and Wildlife Service|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525061610/https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/images/documents/conservation-management/riverpark/about/Landscape%20description%20precinct%205.pdf|archive-date=25 May 2018|access-date=25 May 2018}}</ref> During his time at Point Walter, Waylen constructed an inn known as the ''Halfway House'' due to its location between Perth and Fremantle. In 1837 he cut a canal through the sandbar, reducing the distance of a boat trip between Perth and Fremantle by about {{convert|2|mi|order=flip}},<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/37997935|title=Old Fremantle 1829 to 1849|last=Hitchcock|first=J. K.|date=21 April 1927|work=Western Mail|access-date=25 May 2018}}</ref> and charged a toll for its use.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":1" /> In 1843, Samuel Caporn and his family settled at Point Walter and took over running the Halfway House, having emigrated to Australia the previous year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://museum.wa.gov.au/welcomewalls/names/caporn-family|title=Caporn Family|website=Western Australian Museum|access-date=8 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.henrietta.liswa.wa.gov.au/record=b1848387~S1|title=Testimonials to the character of Samuel Caporn|website=State Library of Western Australia|access-date=25 May 2018}}</ref> The Caporns moved away from Point Walter in the mid-1850s, because the canal was [[silted up]].<ref name=":6" />

The site became popular after the cutting of the canal,<ref name=":9" /> and was often used for crabbing, camping, swimming and picnicking. The only way to access the point was by boat, so a jetty was built. Point Walter's popularity led to the construction of two [[Tea house|tea rooms]] and a timber bathing house to deal with ferries and yachting parties. Later, a limestone road was built, allowing access by horse-drawn carriages. The sources differ, but in either 1895 or 1907 the [[Government of Western Australia|State Government]] purchased the land, declaring it a Class A reserve,<ref name=":7" /> and in 1912 the Melville Roads Board (now the [[City of Melville|Melville City Council]]{{efn |The Melville Roads Board changed its name to the Shire of Melville on 1 July 1961 in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 1960.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.sro.wa.gov.au/index.php/melville-road-board-au-wa-a423|title=AU WA A423 - Melville Roads Board|website=State Records Office of WA|access-date=26 May 2018}}</ref> In 1968, the Shire of Melville became the City of Melville.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.melvillecity.com.au/our-city/news/latest-news/2018/may/city-of-melville-turns-50|title=City of Melville Turns 50|date=15 May 2018|website=City of Melville|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525162136/https://www.melvillecity.com.au/our-city/news/latest-news/2018/may/city-of-melville-turns-50|archive-date=25 May 2018|access-date=26 May 2018}}</ref>}})<ref name=":3" /> was appointed to manage it. The reserve officially opened on 30 November 1914.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/PrintSingleRecord/8770fb90-d2b8-4bbe-9c66-f12c9cda6dc4|title=Point Walter Reserve, Point Walter Golf Course and Blackwall Reach Reserve|website=Heritage Council - State Heritage Office}}</ref>[[File:Point Walter c 1924.jpg|thumb|Point Walter foreshore, {{circa|1924}}|273x273px]]

=== Decline ===
The canal at Point Walter continuously silted up, and the difficulty of upkeep led to the Caporns departing the site. After the Caporns had left the area, the local authorities did not engage in upkeep, and the canal fell into further disrepair. Steamers on the Swan River stopped using the sandbar's narrow and shallow canal, instead travelling the full distance around it. By the 1860s the canal was unused.<ref name=":9" /> A campaign by businessman [[George Randell]], then controller of river traffic due to his ownership of a steamboat service,<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://museum.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/THE%20CONVICT-BUILT%20'FENCE'%20IN%20THE%20CANNING%20RIVER.pdf|title=The Convict-Built 'Fence' in the Canning River|last=Hutchison|first=D.|last2=Davidson|first2=Dianne|publisher=Records of the Western Australian Museum|year=1978|location=Western Australia|pages=151}}</ref> attempted to reopen the canal, but due to the cost of [[Australian pound|£A]]{{nbsp}}2,000, equivalent to {{AUD|{{Inflation|AU|2000|1917|r=-2}}|link=yes}} in {{Inflation/year|AU}}, it was not completed.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/39093704|title=Point Walter Canal|last=Kalyptus|first=Hugh|date=20 April 1917|work=The Western Mail|access-date=8 October 2017}}</ref> The lack of steamer traffic caused a drop in popularity for the tea rooms, and with the drop in patronage from the introduction of the [[Fremantle railway line|Fremantle-Perth railway]] on 1 March 1881,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/about-us/our-role/our-history#1830-to-1900-28|title=Our history|website=Public Transport Authority|access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref> Point Walter became a "quiet backwater".<ref name=":1" />

In January 1923, to secure funding for the Point Walter memorial avenue, a three day carnival was held at Point Walter.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/76196815?searchTerm=Point%20Walter&searchLimits=|title=Memorial Avenue Point Walter|date=20 January 1923|work=The Mirror|access-date=8 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/210256153?searchTerm=Point%20Walter&searchLimits=|title=Point Walter Carnival|date=22 December 1922|work=The Australian|access-date=8 October 2017}}</ref> By this time, the Melville Roads Board was receiving £A{{nbsp}}100 a year for grounds maintenance, which was proving inadequate to keep the grounds in order.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/31206674?searchTerm=%22point%20walter%22&searchLimits=l-availability=y|title=Point Walter|date=25 December 1923|work=The West Australian|access-date=8 October 2017}}</ref> A further decline in use was due to the increased use of ocean beaches by the public; as a result, control of the site was passed to the Parks and Gardens Board in 1929.<ref name=":1" /> In 1914, a tramway was constructed between [[Canning Highway|Canning Road]] and Point Walter, which was not considered a success as it rarely ran at a profit outside the summer months.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":1" /> Despite this, the line was not closed down until 1939.<ref>{{Cite book|title=A Ticket to Ride: A History of the Fremantle Municipal Tramways|last=Chalmers|first=John|publisher=Perth Electric Tramway Society|year=2001|isbn=0957825706|edition=2nd|location=Mt. Lawley, W.A.|pages=50}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/78819564?searchTerm=%22tram%22%20AND%20%22point%20walter%22%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20&searchLimits=exactPhrase=%22point+walter%22&#124;&#124;&#124;anyWords&#124;&#124;&#124;notWords&#124;&#124;&#124;requestHandler&#124;&#124;&#124;dateFrom=1939-12-31&#124;&#124;&#124;dateTo=1960-12-31&#124;&#124;&#124;l-advstate=Western+Australia&#124;&#124;&#124;sortby|title=Pt. Walter Had Tram Service|date=19 March 1941|work=The Daily News|access-date=25 May 2018}}</ref> Further troubles came from the [[Great Depression in Australia|Depression]] of the 1930s, during which another drop in recreational use was experienced. World War II further decreased patronage, and Point Walter fell into a state of disrepair.<ref name=":1" />

=== World War II to modern day ===
In 1941, the Melville Army Camp was constructed on the land and was used for training soldiers for waterborne warfare.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.melvillecity.com.au/our-city/publications-and-forms/building-and-development/point-walter-fomer-army-camp-site-including-watch|title=BN07 Point Walter fmr Army Camp Site|date=2014|website=City of Melville|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523151844/https://www.melvillecity.com.au/our-city/publications-and-forms/building-and-development/point-walter-fomer-army-camp-site-including-watch|archive-date=23 May 2018|access-date=23 May 2018}}</ref> In 1947, the camp was converted to a [[Post-war_immigration_to_Australia#Migrant_reception_and_training_centres|migrant reception centre]], which was operated until 1969 by the State Government and from 1969 until closure in mid-1971 by Commonwealth Hostels.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/PrintSingleRecord/c7622ec9-c286-4a43-8263-80761a5640a0|title=Point Walter Former Army Camp Site (whole site including watch house)|date=17 June 2014|website=Heritage Council - State Heritage Office|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525063527/http://inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/PrintSingleRecord/c7622ec9-c286-4a43-8263-80761a5640a0|archive-date=25 May 2018|access-date=25 May 2018}}</ref> During the time the migrant reception centre was open, public opinion was that the majority of the migrants were [[communists]], a situation that culminated in a 1950 piece in ''[[The West Australian]]'' addressing the issue and refuting the perception.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/47865220?searchTerm=Point%20Walter&searchLimits=|title=Point Walter Migrants|date=26 May 1950|work=The West Australian|access-date=8 October 2017}}</ref> The state of disrepair continued until November 1952 when the reserve was again put in the hands of the Melville Roads Board, which made several alterations to the site, including the removal of all old buildings, and the addition of new changing rooms, toilet facilities and a kiosk.<ref name=":1" /> The Board also transported {{convert|30000|t|e6lb|abbr=off}} of clean sand to Point Walter Beach to rectify erosion problems, including the exposure of many limestone boulders in Point Walter's shallows.<ref name=":9" /> In 1972 there were hopes that a bridge would be constructed between Point Walter and Point Resolution, but prohibitive costs and other problems meant that these hopes did not come to anything.<ref name=":9" />

Post-1972, the facilities were used by the [[Department of Education (1972–83)|Department of Education]] to house the [[Graylands Teachers College]]. In 1980, control of {{convert|6.5|ha}} of the land that had previously been used for army training purposes was handed over to the Department of Sport and Recreation (DSR). In 1986 the DSR removed all remaining hostel buildings and spent a considerable sum developing the sport and recreational facilities seen today. The official reopening occurring on 26 September 1986. The facilities' first patrons were the members of the [[Yacht Club Costa Smeralda]]{{snd}}the Italian syndicate that participated in the Fremantle-hosted [[1987 America's Cup]]. In 2005 the facilities were again refurbished with funding from the DSR Capital Works Program.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=http://www.dsr.wa.gov.au/docs/default-source/file-camps/Point-Walter/point-walter-client-information-pack.pdf?sfvrsn=0|title=Point Walter Recreation and Conference Centre Client Information Pack|website=Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries|access-date=8 October 2017}}</ref> Today, all that remains of the army camp is a watch-house from 1941.<ref name=":4" /> Point Walter is currently managed by Melville Council.<ref name=":1" />

== Geography ==
[[File:Point Walter sandbar looking out 3.jpg|thumb|View of the sandbar from the shore]]
Point Walter is contained within the Point Walter Reserve, which mainly consists of the Point Walter bushland. This consists primarily of three habitats:

* A [[limestone]] ridge that outcrops on the lower slopes
* Deep yellow sand over the ridge
* Woodland higher up consisting of [[Eucalyptus marginata|jarrah]] and [[Corymbia calophylla|marri]]<ref name=":3" />

=== Flora and fauna ===
Within the Point Walter bushland, different habitats contain different populations of flora. The deep yellow sand supports the rare acorn banksia (''[[Banksia prionotes]]'') and tree smokebush (''[[Conospermum triplinervium]]'') species. In the higher areas are jarrah and marri woodland that is less disturbed, and there are several orchid species, including a group of rare albino fairy orchids ''[[Caladenia latifolia]]'' as well as several red spider orchid ''[[Caladenia arenicola|Caladenia areicola]]'' populations.<ref name=":3" /> The Point Walter area also supports a population of swamp sheoak (''[[Casuarina obesa]]''). At the base of the escarpment, out of the bushland, the most dominant features are the planted Morton Bay figs (''[[Ficus macrophylla|Ficus macrophy]]'') and the tall Norfolk pines (''[[Araucaria heterophylla|Arauccaria heterophylla]]''). [[Populus|Poplars]] are also prominent, although these are considered a weed.<ref name=":9" /> 

In terms of botanical history, the Point Walter bushland is significant, as it was at this location early botanists first collected couch honeypot (''[[Banksia dallanneyi|Dryandra lindleyana]]'') and cottonheads (''[[Conostylis|Conostylis candicans]]''). In 1839, the ''Cryptandra glabrata'' was collected at Point Walter, a species which has not been seen there since.<ref name=":3" />

=== Birdlife ===
In the Point Walter bushland, hollows are used for nesting by [[galah]]s and [[Australian ringneck|Port Lincoln parrots]]. [[Carnaby's black cockatoo]]s feed on [[parrot bush]] in the area. The area is also home to native species of frogs, small reptiles and various insects. There are also various pest animals present in the area, such as [[Rabbits in Australia|rabbits]], [[Cats in Australia#Feral cats|cats]], dogs and [[Red foxes in Australia|foxes]].<ref name=":3" />

The sandbar is the nesting grounds of several bird species. They include the [[pied oystercatcher]], the [[red-capped plover]], the [[black swan]] and the [[fairy tern]]. The local government has made a conservation effort with the campaign ''Don't buzz that bird'', telling people not to get too close to them.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.riverguardians.com/library/file/how%20you%20can%20help/Don't%20buzz%20that%20bird%20brochure%20-%20FINAL%20low%20res.pdf|title=Don't buzz that bird|website=River Guardians|access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref>

=== Erosion ===
In February 2012 the environmental consulting company Natural Area Management was contracted by the [[City of Melville]] to reverse the [[erosion]] that had occurred over the previous ten years due to the loss of beaches and grassed areas, factors aided by the undercutting of tree roots. Work began in March 2012, initial works were finished in 2013, and the project was completed in early 2014.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://naturalarea.com.au/project-point-walter/|title=Foreshore Restoration at Point Walter Reserve, Bicton|website=Natural Area - Consulting Management Services|access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://naturalarea.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Natural-Area-Case-Study-PTW.pdf|title=Case Study: Point Walter Foreshore Restoration|website=Natural Area - Consulting Management|access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref>

{{Wide image|Pt walter pano gnangarra.jpg|1030px|Image looking east across Point Walter and Melville Water taken from Mosman Park. The sandbar can be seen in the middle, leading from Point Walter on the right.}}

== Sandbar ==

[[File:Birdlife at Point Walter.jpg|thumb|Birdlife, including seagulls and black swans, on and around the sandbar.]]
Point Walter is notable for the [[sand bar|sandbar]] or [[Spit (landform)|spit]] that extends over {{convert|1|km|1}} into the river; sections of the sandbar are often submerged at high water.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bookings.conservationvolunteers.org/project/city-of-melville-point-walter|title=City of Melville - Point Walter|website=Conservation Volunteers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523135102/https://bookings.conservationvolunteers.org/project/city-of-melville-point-walter|archive-date=23 May 2018|access-date=23 May 2018}}</ref> The sandbar was formed through the collection of sediment along the [[Eolianite|aeolianite]] band that traverses the estuary.<ref name=":9" />

=== Dreamtime relevance ===
The sandbar is prevalent in the [[Dreamtime]] of the local [[Indigenous Australians|Aboriginals]]. They believe the sandbar was the hair of the Dreamtime figure {{lang |nys |Djunda}} (alternatively spelt {{lang |nys |Junda}}), the Charnok woman, and the nearby cliffs at [[Blackwall Reach]] were her footprints. {{lang |nys |Djunda}} is said to have carried spirit children in her hair, who, when they fell out, formed rocks. According to Dreamtime stories, when she reached [[Wave Rock]] in [[Hyden, Western Australia|Hyden]], she jumped off it into the sky, at which point her hair formed the [[Milky Way]] and the spirit children formed the stars.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://api.joondalup.wa.gov.au/files/Joondalup_Mooro_Boodjar_Brochure.pdf|title=Charnok Woman|website=City of Joondalup|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523152507/http://api.joondalup.wa.gov.au/files/Joondalup_Mooro_Boodjar_Brochure.pdf|archive-date=23 May 2018|access-date=8 October 2017}}</ref> Due to this, Blackwall Reach is known to the Aboriginals as {{lang |nys |Jenalup}}, a word meaning 'the place where feet make a track'.<ref name=":2" />

[[File:Looking back at Point Walter from Sandbar.jpg|thumb|Looking towards Point Walter from {{convert|50|m}} out on the sandbar.]]

== Public use ==
Point Walter is the site of various cultural monuments, including a war memorial avenue. It also hosts the free annual Point Walter concert, which started in 1996 and features Perth bands, and on occasion notable individuals such as [[James Morrison (singer)|James Morrison]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U0UVaLFz4g |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/8U0UVaLFz4g |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=City of Melville Point Walter Concert 2016|date=26 July 2016|website=YouTube|access-date=7 October 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.melvillecity.com.au/news-and-events/our-annual-events/point-walter-concert|title=Point Walter Concert|website=City of Melville|access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref> Previously this event was called ''YAC it up'' because it was organised by Melville's Youth Advisory Council and featured acts such as [[Birds of Tokyo]] and [[Kevin Mitchell (musician)|Bob Evans]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/yac-it-up-point-walter-reserve-bicton-2532007/783181|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630084633/http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/yac-it-up-point-walter-reserve-bicton-2532007/783181|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 June 2016|title=YAC it up Point Walter Reserve Bicton|last=Romaro|first=Ashryn|date=26 March 2007|website=Faster Louder|access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref>

Point Walter is used by the general public for a variety of activities, including [[kitesurfing]], [[kayaking]], [[canoeing]], [[windsurfing]], [[fishing]], swimming, diving courses, [[Prawn|prawning]] and picnicking.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":9" /><ref name=":0" /> The area contains public facilities such as two shaded playgrounds, cycle and walking paths, a jetty, a boat ramp and [[barbecue]] areas.<ref name=":8" /> Point Walter is contained in the Point Walter Reserve, which contains the Point Walter Golf Course, and Blackwall Reach.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=http://www.melvillecity.com.au/community-and-facilities/community-sport-and-recreation/parks-and-reserves/for-hire/point-walter-reserve|title=Point Walter Reserve|website=City of Melville|access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist |30em}}

== Further reading ==
{{Refbegin |30em}}
*{{cite book |last=Turner |first=Ric |year=1986 |title=Point Walter : A history from corroboree to cup |publisher=Department for Sport and Recreation, Government of Western Australia |location=Floreat Park, Western Australia |isbn=0730939510 |oclc=220819356 }}
{{Refend}}

{{subject bar |auto=y |portal1=Western Australia |portal2=Geography |portal3=Modern history }}
{{coord|-32.0112|115.7866|dim:2000_region:AU|display=title}}
[[Category:Swan River (Western Australia)]]
[[Category:Bicton, Western Australia]]
[[Category:Places of Noongar significance]]