Ancient Noongar storytelling will take center stage along Perth’s Elizabeth Quay and the Derbal Yerrigan/Swan River this September with Story of Kooyar, an immersive production combining light, water and sound. Running September 25–28, the 20-minute projection follows Kooyar, the frog, through the Noongar six seasons as he helps restore and heal Boordja, or Country. The experience unfolds on a water screen emerging from the river, accompanied by roving Karak puppets and live performances from Indigenous dance group Corroboree For Life.

The production offers visitors a nighttime cultural experience rooted in the stories and seasonal understanding of the Noongar people. By using the Swan River itself as part of the stage, Story of Kooyar creates an experience in which place and storytelling are closely connected rather than presenting Indigenous culture as something separate from the landscape.

The Curated Take:
This is the kind of cultural experience that can change how a traveler sees a familiar city. Instead of simply presenting a performance, Story of Kooyar uses Perth’s river and night sky as part of the storytelling, connecting contemporary technology with an ancient relationship to Country.