39 kilometres of interconnected arts and culture trails are slowly being installed in the Dandenong Ranges, and there’s one dreamy walk that you can check out right now. Tucked away in Doongalla Forest, you’ll find The Reveal, a series of artful granite boulders scattered beneath towering mountain ash trees and ferns. Your journey begins at Doongalla Homestead Picnic Ground, where you’ll walk up the Channel Ten track. Alternatively, you could also start by taking in the view at Burkes Lookout, and then going on the track. Both directions involve a steep gradient, so you’ll need to have a moderate level of fitness in order to see this installation.
The Reveal in Doongalla Forest
As you make your way along the trail, you’ll gradually encounter 15 basalt boulders, inlaid with stunning mosaics that depict the plants and wildlife in the area. Along with the shimmering images, you’ll see engraved text and poetry about the connections that shape the forest ecosystem. This installation was a combined effort from artist Helen Bodycomb, writer Cate Kennedy and cultural advisor and artist Aunty Lee-Anne Clarke.
At the heart of The Reveal, you’ll find a central clearing, or a yarning circle, which honours the Wurundjeri people’s connection with the place, and their cultural knowledge and stories. In this space, you’ll discover more pieces to interact with.
The walk from Doongalla Homestead Picnic Ground up to the artwork itself is 850 metres long. Continue on to Burkes Lookout for sweeping views of the landscape below. After your walk, drive over to one of the nearby villages, like Olinda or Sassafras, for a bit of lunch.
Parking and toilets are available at Doongalla Homestead Picnic Ground. Parking is also available at Burkes Lookout. Keep an eye on conditions via the Parks Victoria website, and learn more about the art trail here.
ngurrak barring (RidgeWalk)
The Reveal is one of the first pieces installed as part of the arts and culture trail, ngurrak barring (RidgeWalk). This network of different trails will weave its way through the Dandenong Ranges, and feature different artworks and installations along the way. Meander through the forest, check out charming villages and explore the landscape’s cultural and creative history.
The trails of ngurrak barring are divided into five themed experiences: Ways of Seeing, Country, Community, Activism and Resilience. These different sections are slowly being installed in stages, and are currently expected to open by the end of the year.
Another installation you can currently check out is the Storm Leaves series. These pieces were created by Anton McMurray, who took cypress logs that were toppled by a fierce storm in 2021, and transformed them into large leaf sculptures. The sculptures are installed at each of the trail entrances to ngurrak barring, and there’s currently four for you to see. The final sculpture will be located near Karwarra Gardens in Kalorama later this year. Meanwhile, you’ll find Storm Leaves at Kallista, Birdsland Reserve, in front of Montrose Library and at the trailhead in Tremont.
Learn more about ngurrak barring here. Find further updates and details here.
