About Morangup 6083 WA

Morangup: it's the ultimate escape!

With a focus on sustainable living, hobby farming, and a strong sense of community, this rural gem is the perfect place to start anew!

Morangup a Haven from the Metro-area

Morangup, a stunning rural area located in Western Australia, is only an hour's drive from the bustling city of Perth via Toodyay Rd/State Route 50 and State Route 51. Despite its proximity to the city, Morangup is a haven of peace and tranquillity that offers a break from the stresses of city life.

Morangup the Shear Size

Just how big is Morangup? Spanning over 200 square kilometres (or 203,000,000 square meters), Morangup is vast. If you divided the area into standard 372m² suburban blocks, you could fit approximately 327,000 homes including the roads, services and parks infrastructures —that’s the size of a whole city!

To put that into perspective, Morangup is large enough to cover multiple Perth suburbs combined. It could roughly fit areas like Belmont, Floreat, Victoria Park, Bayswater, and Mount Lawley all together. But instead of streets lined with houses, Morangup is defined by its wide open spaces, natural bush-land, and peaceful rural lifestyle—and that’s exactly how we like it.

Morangup Compared to Global Cities

Morangup was Established

Morangup was first established in 1853. Over the past 171 years, this serene landscape has evolved, maintaining its unique charm while adapting to the changing times. The rain-bearing cloud formations that appear in the summer afternoons over Morangup have been a source of wonder for generations. For the indigenous people, these clouds were a navigational tool and a way of understanding the changing weather patterns of the region.

Although the large trees that once stood in the area are long gone, having been milled for the Wundowie Steel mill, the lessening rain still falls, and the clouds still gather. The early settlers such-as Mr Fred Lee and his crew, adapted the name to Morangup, which has been used ever since. Mortingup Hill (the highest peak), was later renamed to 'Morangup Hill', or as the the local's like to call it, the "Morangup Mound". Today, the indigenous name and its translation continue to be an essential part of the area's cultural heritage and are recognised and respected by the local community.

About the name Morangup

The name "Morangup" was derived by Fred from the spoken Noongar word "Mooroongap". The meaning, which was translated from the Whadjuk "Witjaari" (Witja:ri)-A94 dialect, was used in Gidgegannup and parts of the nearby Avon region. The dialect is now classified extinct.

Back in the 1850s, it was best understood as "a place where water forms in the sky / black clouds, over large trees. In today's world, the Wadjuk dialect translation is closer to "Moorlakat boorn boorda". It's important to note that this word is more a definition of an event, rather than an actual place. As a place it would most likely be "Moorangup" is a Noongar word that means "place of black clouds." The name "Morangup" as a place, can be derived from the Noongar words "moora" (cloud) and "ngup" (place), reflecting the area's indigenous heritage and its weather patterns." Today there are zero known A94 Native speakers worldwide. CLASSIFICATION Pama-Nyungan, Nyungic CODE AUTHORITY ISO 639-3 LANGUAGE CODE xwj

Fred's understanding back then was that it meant a place to walk or move toward in the heat of summer (Birak). In essence, it indicated better hunting and gathering opportunities due to the mid-summer rains creating new shoots and germination—a place to go for better gatherings.

Fred, named his property "Morangup," a name that has stuck to this day.

This name/event not only reflects the beauty of the area but also the importance of food and water sources to the indigenous people who inhabited the land for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers.

It is important to clarify that the term "Moorang" does not exist in any documented Noongar teachings or transcriptions. Asserting that "Moorang" refers to a black-flanked rock wallaby is incorrect. While the meaning does indicate a place of better Birak resources, which would include hunting the rock wallaby, it is not specific to a place or object.

Translating "black-flanked rock wallaby" into Noongar (Wadjuk dialect) can be done by breaking down the phrase into its components:

So, the phrase "black-flanked rock wallaby" could be approximated from English as:

"Moorditj boya waitch"

Noongar cultural heritage preservation is extremely important. Authentic cultural references and terminologies should be respected and accurately represented to honour the traditions and knowledge of the Noongar people. Fabricating or misidentifying terms undermines the integrity of Noongar language and culture. We urge interested people to develop competency in Noongar language and heritage.

Tindale
Wadjuk, Wadjug, Whajook (['whad] = ['wada] = ['juad] = [i:wat] == no), Witja:ri, Wadjup (name of the flats of the Canning River), Juadjuk, Yooard, Yooadda, Minaln-junga: (Juat term ['minang] = south, ['njunga:] = man), Minnal Yungar, Derbal (a name for general locality of Perth), Karakata (a name for Perth), Caractterup tribe, Karrakatta (bank of Swan River at Perth), Ilakuri wongi (name applied to language).

Synonyms
Whadjuk, Wadjuk, Wadjug, Whajook, Witja:ri, Wadjup, Juadjuk, Yooard, Yooadda, Minaln junga:, Minnal Yungar, Derbal, Karakata, Caractterup tribe, Karrakatta, Ilakuri wongi

Morangup: where the air is fresh, the pace is slow, and the possibilities are endless.

Whether you're looking for a tree change or a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, this is the perfect place to call home.

Boodjar, boodjera moort nyitting ngalang -

Noongar Language

- Moorditj Koort Kaat

Noongar language (Wadjak dialect): "Morangup yeyi keny dwerda nganang wer keny marrin yeya moort, marriny ngarnkiny keny warranginy yeyi bardanginy kaat wer maambakoort wer kaalak yeyi kwobidak wer dwerda kwobidak moort. Yira yeyi bardanginy kaat yeyi moort, keny maambakoort yeyi boodjar yeyi kwobidak moort, wer yira yeyi yongkiny yeyi dwerda maambakoort yeyi keny maambakoort keny waarnkiny.

Yira yeyi koorlangka keny bardanginy boodjar yeyi keny yongkiny koorlangka yongka keny waarnkiny, wer koorlangka wer dwerda yira kwobidak yongkiny koorlangka kaat. Moort mooro Mr Fred Lee wer dwerda boodjar yeyi dwerda yira maambakoort yeyi Morangup, yira yeyi boodjar yeyi keny waangkiny yeyi boodjar yeyi keny bardanginy keny dwerda moort Mortingup Hill (bardanginy wer dwerda kaat), maam 'Morangup Hill' keny dwerda renamemd, wer koort kwobidak yeyi boodjar keny keny maam. Waart, yira yeyi koorlangka wer dwerda keny kwobidak yongkiny kaat yeyi maambakoort yeyi boodjar yeyi keny yongkiny koorlangka yongka keny waarnkiny.

(Note that this is just one possible translation, and there may be variations depending on the specific dialect of Noongar being used.)

The traditional owners of this area are the Noongar people, who have lived in the area for tens of thousands of years.
Today, there are several Noongar groups living in the region who have strong connections to this land, including the Ballardong/Balardong, Yued/Yuat/Yoowat and Wadjak/Wadjuk/WhadJuk, Gnaala, Karla, BooJa and Southern Wardandi Noongar peoples.

Parts of Speech in Noongar:

Sentence Patterns in Noongar:

Analyzing "Morangup":

Noongar is a collective term used to refer to a group of related Aboriginal peoples and languages spoken by them in the south-west region of Western Australia. While these languages share many similarities, there are also many distinct dialects and variations, many of them within the Noongar language group.

The Noongar language has a rich oral tradition, and historically was not a written language.

If you're tired of the rat race and want to start living life on your own terms, Morangup is the place for you. This rural paradise offers everything you need to build your dream home, raise your family, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. With large blocks of land, big workshops, and spacious country kitchens, you'll have all the space you need to create the life you've always wanted.

The Morangup community today

Morangup is home to a close-knit community of approximately 750 residents, many of whom have chosen to escape the city in search of a quieter, more relaxed lifestyle. The area is predominantly used for agricultural purposes, with farming and livestock being the primary industries. However, many residents have also found success in developing hobby farms, cultivating vineyards, or raising horses.

The landscape of Morangup is dotted with rolling hills, lush pastures, and towering trees, making it a popular destination for those seeking a tree-change. Whether you're looking for a peaceful place to retire, a weekend getaway, or a property investment opportunity, Morangup offers a unique combination of natural beauty and rural charm.

To many Morangup is a rural paradise, offering a serene escape from the city and a chance to enjoy a slower pace of life. With its lush landscapes, thriving hobby farming opportunities, and close-knit community, Morangup is an ideal destination for those seeking a rural lifestyle change.

Start your next adventure in Morangup. This vast and peaceful rural community offers a chance to embrace sustainable living, connect with nature, and cultivate your passions. With over 200 square kilometres of space, it’s a place where you can enjoy the great outdoors, build a life surrounded by tranquillity, and truly live in harmony with nature. Whether you're seeking solitude or looking for a place to explore, Morangup provides the perfect balance of wide-open spaces and serene surroundings.

Some history about the Post

(Note: MTP it's not a Newspaper or News Provider, it never has been, nor will it!)

The Morangup Trading Post was a small nondescript store and trading outpost. It was near, what is today, the community of Morangup, 6083, in rural Western Australia. The trading post was established in the early 1880s, located at Beelaring Springs (Reserve No. 529, 40 hectares) on the Toodyay-Perth Road. This area was gazetted in 1882 as a ‘Watering and Stopping Place for Teams’, to provide facilities for bullock and horse teams used to haul supplies. It was also nearest the site of Fred Lee's original lease and further 1000 hectares of Mr Lee's, now known as the district of Morangup in the Shire of Toodyay Western Australia.

Back in those day' s Morangup was a vital place to rest, repair and trade goods for southeastern rural Western Australia, providing a crucial link between the various settlements and outposts in the region. Its location and access to waterways made it an ideal stopping point for travellers and a key hub for the livestock industry.

Originally thought to have been built as an overnight campsite by local traders passing by on their way to locations in the Avon River catchment and Mortlock River system by heading eastward onto Toodyay and Northam.

The region was considered diverse, and with many waterways such as Wooroloo Brook • Casuarina Gully • Brockman River • Red Swamp Brook • Moondyne Brook • Joes Brook and nearby Julimar Brook there was abundant opportunities to keep livestock well-watered when moving to market or simply just well feed with access to better pastures. The Perth eastern hills soon became desirable and has the same qualities today.

As Morangup continued to develop and attract settlers, it also became a hub for independent travelling stock handlers, commonly known as "swaggies." These were nomadic workers who travelled the countryside with their livestock, often stopping in Morangup to restock and rest before continuing their journey.

To support the needs of these workers, the region also had a variety of skilled tradespeople, including farriers, wheelwrights, blacksmiths, and leather workers who specialised in making saddles and dray harnesses. These tradespeople were essential in maintaining the bullock trails and ensuring the safe transport of livestock and goods.

The site quickly became popular, with a basic iron cladding and log construction, the shanty styled outpost was created and served as a vital source of supplies for the local farming and small mining communities toward the river.

Being on the bullock trail, it offered a small but necessary range of goods, including tined groceries, eggs, fresh meat from small farm-lots, hardware, kero, clothing, fencing and hand tools.

In particular, bullocky drivers played a crucial role in the development of Morangup and the surrounding region. These skilled drivers were responsible for driving the large bullock teams that pulled heavy loads along the trails, often enduring harsh weather conditions and challenging terrain. Without their expertise, it would have been much harder to transport goods and livestock across the countryside.

The trading post was also known for its friendly and knowledgeable caretakers, Alex Whitaker, and family, who were always willing to help customers with their needs. During the late 1890s, Morangup as a hub for independent travelling stock handlers, wheelwrights, blacksmiths, farriers and leather-workers who provided essential services to the region's farmers and glaziers. Bullock teams were a common sight, and the trail from Morangup to the Avon River and Mortlock River systems was well-trodden.

As the threat of war loomed (Great War, began on July 28, 1914), fear began to permeate throughout the community. It is said that Alex Whitaker himself was no stranger to the effects of war, having fought in the Boer War. Nevertheless, he remained resolute in his commitment to the local community, and his trading outpost continued to serve as a vital source of supplies for the surrounding farms and mines.

WW1 had ended on November 11, 1918. Western Australia then experienced a significant economic downturn due to a decrease in demand for its primary exports, such as wool, wheat, and gold.

This led to a decrease in employment opportunities and a rise in unemployment. Despite its importance, the trading post was eventually forced to close in the late 1920s, as the growth of nearby towns and improved infrastructure with the added completion of most branch water lines into smaller towns from the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme, which first began to operate on 24 January 1903, and eventually led to the posts decline.

Today, Morangup is a quiet rural retreat, with a rich history that still resonates throughout the region.

To delve deeper into Morangup's significant contributions during Western Australia's transformative years, particularly between 1890 and 1910, read more about our rich history during this pivotal era.
Read More About Morangup's Timber History


"Morangup: Embrace a simpler way of life."