Last year, we wrote about The Reveal, a pretty art trail in Doongalla Forest that’s filled with mosaic-covered boulders. This trail was one of the first installations of ngurrak barring, a massive network of art and cultural trails throughout the Dandenong Ranges. Meaning ‘mountain paths’ in Woiwurring, this network stretches across 39 kilometres, and is packed with artworks for you to discover. The trails are divided into five themes: Country, Community, Resilience, Ways of Seeing and Activism, and you’re invited to stroll through the forest, admire the natural landscape and marvel at the creative pieces. ngurrak barring has officially launched, and you’ll find it about an hour away from Melbourne CBD.
ngurrak barring
Lace up your boots, put on a raincoat and hike along one of these trails. These different tracks connect the townships of Montrose, Kalorama, Mount Dandenong, Olinda, Sassafras, Kallista, Belgrave, Belgrave Heights, Tremont, Sherbrooke and Upper Ferntree Gully. These trails can be entered from many different locations, and explored in a variety of combinations, so you can choose your own adventure.
These walks celebrate the legacy of creatives who have drawn inspiration from “the Hills” over the years, as well as the rich culture of the Wurundjeri people, the Traditional Custodians of the land. As you go, you’ll discover eleven permanent artworks. There’s also five different Architectural Nodes, or meeting places, for you to rest and reflect.
Artworks on display include Storm Leaves, a series of leaf sculptures made from storm-felled timber, Djirra Binak (Reed Basket), an installation that incorporates glass, light and living plants, and Regeneration – The Listening Place, a sculptural piece that invites you to press your ear against it and listen.
When you’re not admiring the artworks, soak in the calming sights of towering mountain ash trees and lush fern gullies, and look out for native animals like lyrebirds, echidnas and wombats.
Planning your visit
While these walks are out in nature, and can technically be accessed 24 hours a day, it’s better and safer to plan your visit during daylight hours. As most of these tracks run through Dandenong Ranges National Park, some areas are gated, and close at sunset. The gates for Doongalla Picnic Ground, for example, are closed to vehicles at 6pm during non-daylight saving hours. Take a look on the Parks Victoria website for more details and trail conditions.
Dogs aren’t allowed on trails in Dandenong Ranges National Park, but you can walk your dog to Kalorama Park, which is home to the Regeneration artwork, and the Storm Leaves sites in Belgrave Heights and Montrose.
If you’re hungry, there’s plenty of food and drink to be found in the different villages around the Dandenong Ranges. Otherwise, pack a picnic to enjoy in one of the picnic areas around the trails.
To see even more works of art, check out some local galleries in the area, such as Burrinja Cultural Centre in Upwey or Art & Alchemy Gallery in Kalorama.
To learn more about ngurrak barring and check out the different trails and itineraries, click here.