Kaurna place naming

Recognising Kaurna heritage through physical features of the city.

In 1997 the City of Adelaide was among the first Councils to sign a Reconciliation Statement. Guiding Principle 5 states:

"Council acknowledges the prior occupation of this land by the Kaurna people, and will seek opportunities to recognise Kaurna heritage through physical features of the City and by supporting community cultural activities”.

This resulted in the Kaurna Naming Project. Council worked in consultation with appropriate authorities and community organisations to draw up an initial list identifying Kaurna names for city Park Lands and squares. By March 2012 Council had endorsed the Kaurna naming or dual naming of all Park Lands and Squares.

As you move throughout the city, you’ll see Kaurna signage has been installed across all 29 Adelaide city Park Lands. You’ll also see Kaurna signage at Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga and the River Torrens/Karrawirra Parri. The Council worked closely with Kaurna Warra Pintyanthi (KWP), Kaurna Elders and Council’s Reconciliation Committee in the development of text for the signage.

Pronunciation of significant sites

Map reconcilitaion kaurna place naming

Turn on your speakers to hear the pronunciation of each significant site. Click or tap on the park name to play.

1 Possum Park / Pirltawardli (Park 1) - ‘possum place'

2 Denise Norton Park / Pardipardinyilla (Park 2) - ‘swimming place'

3 Yam Daisy Park / Kantarilla (Park 3) - ‘kandara root place'

4 Reservoir Park / Kangatilla (Park 4) - ‘kangatta berry place'

5 Bragg Park / Ngampa Yarta (Park 5) - ‘ngampa root ground'

6 Lefevre Park / Nantu Wama (Park 6) - ‘horse plain'

7 The Olive Groves / Kuntingga (Park 7) - ‘kunti root place'

8 The Olive Groves / Parngutilla (Park 8) - ‘barngutta root place'

9 Bundey’s Paddock / Tidlangga (Park 9) - ‘tidla root place'

10 Bulrush Park / Warnpangga (Park 10) - ‘bullrush root place'

11 Mistletoe Park / Tainmuntilla (Park 11) - ‘mistletoe place'

12 Red Gum Park / Karrawirra (Park 12) - ‘river red gum forest'

13 Rundle Park / Kadlitpina (Park 13) - ‘Captain Jack'

14 Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka (Park 14) - ‘King John'

15 King Rodney Park / Ityamai-itpina (Park 15) - ‘King Rodney'

16 Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi (Park 16) - ‘to trot: a term applied to horses'

17 Carriageway Park / Tuthangga (Park 17) - ‘grass place'

18 Peppermint Park / Wita Wirra (Park 18) - ‘peppermint grove/place'

19 Pelzer Park / Pityarilla (Park 19) - ‘marshmallow root place'

20 Blue Gum Park / Kurangga (Park 20) - ‘blue gum place'

21 Veale Park / Walyu Yarta (Park 21) - ‘walyo root ground'

21w Golden Wattle Park / Mirnu Wirra (Park 21w) - ‘golden wattle grove'

22 Josie Agius Park / Wikaparntu Wirra (Park 22) - ‘netball park'

23 G S Kingston Park / Wirrarninthi (Park 23) - ‘to become wirra'

24 Ellis Park / Tampawardli (Park 24) and Ellis Park Road - ‘plain place'

25 Gladys Elphick Park / Narnungga (Park 25) - ‘native pine place'

26 Stella Bowen Park / Tarntanya Wama (Park 26) - ‘Adelaide plain/oval'

27 Bonython Park / Tulya Wardli (Park 27) - ‘Police barracks'

28 Palmer Gardens / Pangki Pangki (Park 28) - ‘Kaurna tracker and guide'

29 Brougham Gardens / Tantutitingga (Park 29) - ‘Native lilac place'

T Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga - 'Red Kangaroo Dreaming'

H Hindmarsh Square / Mukata

Hu Hurtle Square / Tangkaira

L Light Square / Wauwi

We Wellington Square / Kudnartu

Wh Whitmore Square / Ivarrityi

KwP River Torrens / Karrawirra Pari - 'Redgum Forest River'

KW Main Lake Botanic Garden / Kainka Wirra - 'Redgum Forest'

LB/KW Lightning Bridge / Karntu Waadlakatha

KwW Red Gum Forest Bridge / Kainkawirra Waadlakatha

The City of Adelaide acknowledges the services of Kaurna Warra Pintyanthi in providing the initial content of this page.

Signatories: Dr Alice Wallara Rigney, Lewis O'Brien and Rob Amery

Final content approved after consultation with Kaurna Meyunna, Kaurna Elders and KACHA.