Just ten years ago, a grassroots community campaign led to the opening of Woowookarung Regional Park, a 641-hectre park just outside of Ballarat. Located on the lands of the Wadawurrung people, this ‘place of plenty’ has evolved from a former mining and timber harvesting site, to a beloved outdoor community space. Find plenty of tracks for bushwalking, cycling and trail running, and look out for native wildlife and colourful wildflowers. To celebrate its anniversary, the park just opened a new 10,000 Steps Loop Trail. Community consultation is also open for a proposed central visitor site.
Woowookarung Regional Park
Take a stroll along the new 10,000 Steps Loop trail, a leafy 8km circuit that will take you around the park to see most of its cool features. Amble through bushland, walk up hills and take in views of Ballarat and Mount Clear from the Lookout. This trail is multi-use, so you can walk, run or ride your bike.
This wonderful new loop also links up to the Dementia-friendly Forest and Sensory Trail. The first of its kind in Australia, this gentle trail opened in 2021, and was designed to quietly evoke positive memories, feelings and sensations. Accessible for wheelchairs and carers, assistance dogs and groups from residential aged care facilities, this trail has a variety of places to pause and reflect. Visitors are invited to see, smell, touch and hear nature along the trail.
Cyclists will have fun zooming along the 700 metre and 2 kilometre long mountain bike trails behind Mount Clear College. There’s also spots for you to ride your horse through the forest. Dogs are welcome to come along too, as long as they’re on a lead.
As you go, admire the messmate stringybark, the grass trees and the native heath. Look out for native wildlife like kangaroos, echidnas and birds as you explore the park. Spring is a good time to plan a trip, as the landscapes light up with an abundance of colourful wildflowers.
At just ten years old, there’s still a lot to be done around Woowookarung Regional Park. The Victorian Government has allocated $500,000 to support planning for a proposed central visitor site. This visitor site would have facilities like a new picnic area with accessible toilets, seating and barbeques, and improve access to attractions like the 10,000 Steps Loop walk. Community consultation is now open on the draft concept designs. You can give feedback until September 3.
For more details and updates about the park itself, check out the Parks Victoria website.
