Welcome to the ngurrak barring | RidgeWalk update! We have plenty to share with you: the first permanent artworks have been installed, with more on the way...

Trails along the 'Country' theme connect Kallista, Belgrave and Belgrave Heights. This theme celebrates the inspiration and connection some of Australia’s most significant artists have drawn from the Dandenong Ranges.

Storm Leaves

In an exciting milestone for ngurrak barring | RidgeWalk, the first two permanent artworks along the trails have been installed.

The Storm Leaves sculptures are a series of five artworks commissioned to celebrate the natural beauty and resilience of the local environment.

The first two Storm Leaves sit at the trailheads in Kallista and Birdsland Reserve, along the 'Country' theme.

Created by renowned sculpture artist Anton McMurray, who grew up in the Dandenong Ranges, these sculptures will feature details inspired by the natural world, hand crafted in Cypress logs salvaged after the 2021 storms.

The three remaining sculptures will be installed in Upper Ferntree Gully, Montrose and Kalorama in 2025.

Architectural Node

Fabrication for the ‘Country’ architectural node, is out to tender and is expected to begin installation in Autum 2025. The node will sit along Coles Ridge Track, in Kallista. Thanks to a Bupa Landcare grant, the space will be surrounded by a planting scheme designed by an Indigenous Landscape Architect.

Trails along the 'Ways of Seeing' theme connect Montrose, Kalorama and Mt Dandenong. This theme explores the evolving relationship between artists and land.

The Reveal - The Doongalla Forest Public Artwork project

The Reveal by Clarke, Kennedy, Bodycomb and Paten team (CKBP) is a series of installations made with Victorian basalt boulders inlaid with intricate visual artworks that will create a subtle and harmonious narrative experience with the forest surroundings.

The installation will impact access to the Channel 10 Track from the Doongalla car park and interconnected trails with closures up to three days in early February. Be sure to follow the ngurrak barring | Ridgewalk page for details.

Regeneration – The Listening Place, Kalorama Park

The Land Artwork, Regeneration – The Listening Place by TARRMACstudios and FOOKS Landscape Architecture, integrates with the parkland, focusing on the use of natural materials to create a sculpture, designed pathways and revegetation with native species.

We are deeply grateful to the community for their patience over the construction period and look forward to sharing this meaningful site-specific work at the opening, projected for mid-2025.

Learn more about the project here

Djirra Binak (Reed Basket), Kalorama

Djirra Binak (Reed Basket), by Wurundjeri Elder, and master weaver Aunty Kim Wandin and Chris Joy, in collaboration with Collide Public Art, will be a significant permanent art piece installed on the ngurrak barring | RidgeWalk trails.

Djirra Binak will be located in a culturally significant place opposite Falls Rd, Kalorama. The sculpture will sit centred in the planting of local fibre plants, including grasses used in traditional weaving.

With support from a Bupa Landcare grant, an indigenous planting scheme will complement the piece and support the revegetation of a disturbed clearing in the forest.

The artwork and revegetation will be complete in early Autumn 2025. We’ll have more details on a community planting event and ceremony in the coming months.

Learn more about the project here

Signage

The wayfinding and interpretive signage for ‘Ways of Seeing’ will be completed by early 2025.

The interpretive and historical signage along the trails speaks to the relationship between ways of seeing the landscape, and how it has been interpreted, captured and preserved by artists.

Five-ways crossing

Following community consultation, we have done further investigations on how to best protect the root systems of the heritage Elm trees, and are considering this in the development of the plans.

Trails along the 'Community' theme connect Olinda and Sassafras. The theme reflects on how Dandenong Ranges have long been known as a place for artistic inspiration where creative communities flourish.

artist visualisation

Architectural Node

The Architectual node, for the 'Community' theme, will sit in the Sassafras Village Green. Extensive community consultation has been undertaken and working closely with the RSL we’re working to beautify the memorial space as part of the works.

The node will offer a larger gathering space than the current rotunda. We look forward to seeing community groups and local traders bring it to life with the many ideas they have already proposed.

Construction is set to begin mid 2025. Community members in the Sassafras postcode will receive further information via post, as well as our usual communication channels.

Signage along the ‘Community’ trails will begin early 2025.

You can learn more about the project here