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Need a new outdoor activity to keep you going through the winter months? A sprawling new trail through the Dandenong Ranges has just landed firmly on our radar – and this one’s so much more than a beautiful bushwalk. Stretching across 39 stunning kilometres, ngurrak barring is a fresh arts and culture trail that threads together walking paths, large-scale artworks and layered storytelling through goranwarrabil (the Dandenong Ranges). Meaning “mountain paths” in Woiwurrung, ngurrak barring invites visitors to slow their pace, and actually tune into the landscape rather than just hopping from viewpoint to waterfall and home.
The trail is anchored by eleven permanent artworks commissioned specifically for the project, alongside five “Architectural Nodes” and an extensive network of interpretive signage. Together, they’ve transformed the pocket of land into a magical open-air gallery.
Launched on April 23 in Sherbrooke Forest, Kallista, the project is the result of a major collaboration between Yarra Ranges Council, the Victorian Government and the Commonwealth Government, and has been shaped not just by planners and policymakers, but by the people who live in and care for the Dandenong Ranges. Community groups, historical societies, Landcare networks and local organisations all contributed their knowledge and stories, ensuring the trail reflects the lived experience of the region as much as its natural beauty.
There’s also a strong and visible partnership with Traditional Owners woven throughout the project – with the Council assuring that the project is not just Indigenous-informed, but grounded in respect for Country.
Artistically, the line-up is just as considered. Sculptor Anton McMurray, who grew up in the Dandenong Ranges, contributes work alongside artists with deep ties to the area. A standout is Thriviance: Then, Now, Next by Tiriki Onus, Jenna Lee and Jamie Ferguson, which threads together four generations of family history, activism and creative practice connected to the region.
Other works respond directly to the landscape they inhabit. The Reveal by Helen Bodycomb, Cate Kennedy and Aunty Lee-Anne Clarke, and Regeneration – The Listening Place by John Tarry, Marti Fooks and James Moreton, invite visitors to engage with the environment in quieter, more reflective ways. There’s also the Writing ngurrak barring project, curated by Lia Hills, which adds a literary layer to the journey.
Beyond the contemporary commissions, the trail also nods to the long-standing creative legacy of the Dandenong Ranges. Interpretive signage highlights figures like Arthur Streeton, Tom Roberts and Edna Walling – artists and designers who have long found inspiration in these hills.
Importantly, ngurrak barring isn’t just about art for art’s sake – it’s also designed to improve accessibility and connectivity across the region, making it easier and safer for locals and visitors to move between towns, schools and services on foot.
The result is a pretty rare kind of destination – one that blends tourism with community infrastructure, contemporary art and cultural roots. Whether you tackle the full 39-kilometre stretch or dip in and out across shorter sections, ngurrak barring offers a new way to explore one of Victoria’s most beloved landscapes. You can learn more and plan your visit over here.
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