Kaurna history celebrated in Port Noarlunga
Published on 11 July 2025
Kaurna people have lived here for 65,000 years.
Kaurna people continue to live here now.
So read two new inscriptions that bookend a local historical timeline wall on Port Noarlunga’s Saltfleet Street, along with a new image of women gathered around a traditional fire.
The timeline – spread across a street-facing carpark retaining wall – was originally installed during a redevelopment of the Witton Centre (which houses the Port Noarlunga Surf Life Saving Club, Mamma Carmela’s, public toilets and school aquatics) in 2011–12.
The redevelopment included a range of Kaurna public art elements that were delivered in consultation with Kaurna Traditional Owners at the time and remain in place today. The historical timeline had focused on European heritage, so started with the arrival of tall ships in 1802 – something the community told the council they wanted to see changed.
The timeline’s new additions better reflect our shared history, recognising that Kaurna people have inhabited this area for more than 65,000 years and continue to do so, and that European heritage is celebrated in the context of this long and ongoing connection to Country.
Kaurna/Ngarrindjeri landscape architect and public artist Paul Herzich was selected via the City of Onkaparinga’s Public Art Framework, which provides a transparent process to commission artists for public art projects. Paul then worked with the council to incorporate Kaurna elements into the existing linear design and connected with senior Kaurna women to inform it.
Paul says the project was important to him because it increases the Kaurna cultural footprint in the public realm.
“[It also] educates and raises awareness of Kaurna people and aspects of culture, encourages people to find out more about Kaurna culture, and provides senses of inclusion, safety, and wellbeing for Aboriginal people,” he says.
The reworked historical timeline is one of the latest in a range of public artworks recently completed or underway along the Mid Coast, most of which were funded by the state government.
These include pieces along Beach Road, Christies Beach; Port Noarlunga’s Wearing Street aquatic precinct; the Witton Bluff Base Trail; and along the foreshore from Christies to O’Sullivan Beach.
City of Onkaparinga’s Public Art Project Officer, Anna Hughes, says a world without art would be a sad place.
“Public art can foster a sense of belonging, pride, ownership and place, and it’s free to observe, meaning there are no class or social barriers,” she says.
“It can also increase awareness and understanding, spark debate and thought, and boost local businesses by encouraging people to stop, dine and linger in the street.”
The City of Onkaparinga has more than 200 public artworks to discover across the region, which you can learn more about at the council’s website.
Christies Beach and O’Sullivan Beach public art projects
Three public artworks along the coast from Christies to O’Sullivan Beach are also now complete, fully funded through a state government election commitment. The 3 artworks contribute to building a cohesive narrative of the local landscape, history, and cultural significance.
A mural at “Y Steps” on the Christies Beach foreshore was completed by renowned artist, Gerry Wedd, reflecting his signature ceramic style and featuring people from the Oceanside Boardriders surfing community of the 1970s.
Heading north along the Esplanade – between the Christies Beach Surf Life Saving Club and Christies Creek – a series of footpath inlays designed by Wills Projects celebrate native flora, fauna, and local beach culture, adding a dynamic storytelling element to the coastal journey.
Then, at O’Sullivan Beach’s Galloway Road, a mural delivered by artists Mike Makatron and Harley Ngrakani weaves together First Nations motifs and celebrates Christies Creek, creating an engaging and immersive space for the community.
Installed with specialist ground paint following extensive surface preparation, this artwork aims to be a vibrant, long-lasting feature for local schools and residents to interact with. This project has been particularly meaningful to the Gravel Pit to Garden community group, who have been working since 2022 to revitalise the Galloway Road court area.
Another interpretive artwork on the O’Sullivan Beach Coast Park path – designed in collaboration with Kaurna woman, Susie Roberts – will include a place to sit and contemplate the sea shore with landscaping, artwork inlays, engravings, and interpretive signage. Construction is expected to begin in September.
Witton Bluff
With the support of Katrine Hildyard, Member for Reynell and Chris Picton, Member for Kaurna, the state government has provided funding for an artwork consisting of two Tjilbruke Poles. The work will include one pole on the Witton Bluff Base Trail boardwalk, and the other further north on the Esplanade lookout.
Developed by a team that includes a First Nations cultural producer/artist, the artwork will honour the Tjilbruke Story – a significant dreaming narrative of the Kaurna people, the traditional custodians of this land. It’s expected to be installed in September.
Beach Road, Christies Beach
Last year, a number of public artworks were completed along Beach Road as part of a broader streetscape improvement project.
The artworks include a massive and colourful 125m2 mural on the corner of Beach Road and Roy Terrace created by Malicious Delicious Creative; and a ‘Whoops’ dropped ice cream sculpture and footpath inlays by Wills Projects.
The broader project – which also included new street furniture, landscaping, pavement and a public toilet – was aimed at benefiting businesses, visitors and locals by creating a more attractive street for people to stop and linger. The project was mostly funded by the state government.
Illustrator Gabriel Cunnett told Onkaparinga Now the mural was inspired by warm, endless summers, outdoor adventures and the joy of spending time at the urban edge with family and friends.
“We looked to embody this with not just one image, but with a tapestry of larger and smaller elements that represent the many facets of the area,” said Gabriel, who created the mural with Malicious Delicious owner and head creative, Ryan Turner, and artists Tiff Rysdale and Jade Harland.
“It’s designed to draw the eye at a distance, and reward exploration and interaction on closer inspection.
“Public art is a real catalyst for change in the perceived character of a location for locals, as well as a way to set the tone for what visitors will expect.”
Wearing Street, Port Noarlunga
Planning is also underway for a new mural on the newly constructed toilet building at the recently completed Wearing Street Stage 2 redevelopment.
Community engagement on the mural themes finished in May and you can keep up to date about the project by following the Your Say page.