Across 39 km of interconnected walking trails, see why some of Australia’s most significant artists, activists, writers and creatives have drawn inspiration from the landscape and communities of the Dandenong Ranges.

Artworks and installations continue to be added across the trails.

The signage along the trails is almost complete, with only the Activism trails (running through Sherbrooke Forest from behind Belgrave towards Ferny Creek) left to install – we anticipate this will be completed by the end of October.

Many of these signs have been developed in consultation with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, historians, local historical societies and other committed local community groups.

It is with thanks and gratitude to our generous consultants that we share these stories.

You can explore the interpretive signage found along Activism, Country, Community, Ways of Seeing and Resilience, on the website (as well as along the trails!)

The Ways of Seeing trails connect Montrose, Kalorama and Mount Dandenong.
This theme explores the evolving relationship between artists and the landscape.

Ways of Seeing Architectural Node; Land Art Sculpture; Storm Leaves, Montrose

ARCHITECTURAL NODE

The Ways of Seeing Architectural Node is found along Kyeema Track, Mount Dandenong.

This elegant sculpture is made out of blackened Cor-ten steel panels and a large boulder, with a natural bowl to capture rainwater.

“The Ways of Seeing Node is an expression of the rhythm of the forest and the movement of water through the layers of Country. Here, the phloem of the Mountain Ash is honoured as conduit of water from Biik-ut (Below Country) through Biik-dui (On Country) and into Wurru wurru Biik (Sky Country). Baanjnk Biik (Water Country) is honoured as an ephemeral presence, reflecting Sky and Star Country when it pools in the boulder.”

– Design statement by Djinjama and Cola Studio

The ngurrak barring Architectural Nodes are collaborative explorations of the themes of the walk through an Indigenous lens, crafted by First Peoples design studios, Djinjama and COLA Studio.

ARTWORKS

Regeneration – The Listening Place, Kalorama

‘Regeneration – The Listening Place,’ by TARRMACstudio and FOOKS Landscape Architecture is almost complete. Transforming the site of Kalorama Park, the work incorporates sculptures, designed paths, landscaping and areas of native planting and is to be experienced in its entirety as an immersive form of Land Art.

The DDA compliant pathway is complete, and the sculptural aspect installed. However, the site is not yet open to the public as final works continue, and the plants establish. We look forward to the community being able to access the work soon.

Storm Leaves, Montrose

Storm Leaves is a series of site-responsive sculptural installations by Australian artist Anton McMurray, placed at significant points along ngurrak barring.

The sculpture situated along the Ways of Seeing theme, can be found on the grounds in front of the Montrose Town Centre building. This site was chosen by the local township group, to mark a spot where a gum tree was lost in the storms.

The final sculpture is currently being created and will be installed near the Karwarra Australian Native Botanic Garden in Kalorama in the coming weeks.

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Djirra Binak

Discover Djirra Binak (Reed Basket) in Kalorama, in bushland at the intersection of Falls Rd and Ridge Road.

Thise dynamic sculptural installation was created by Murrup Biik—a public art practice led by Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Kim Wandin and Chris Joy—in collaboration with Collide Public Art Initiative

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Community Theme

Trails connecting Olinda and Sassafras. The theme reflects on the area’s long history as a place where creative communities flourish.

Architectural Node

Works on the Sassafras Village Green continue to , with progress going well. The RSL Memorial backdrop has been installed and landscaping begun. The architectural Community Node is currently being fabricated off-site and is anticipated to be installed in late October, with the final works completed by November.

“For many First Peoples, community represents strength, resilience, resistance and nurturing. The strength of community(ies) being the reason culture has continued. For some First Peoples who have been forcibly separated, community is an embrace longed for.

The mother/aunty and child structures here are a representation of the nurturing, nourishment and guidance of community and Country. The welcoming forms are soft, warm and open whilst being strong and sheltering, their strength and structure formed of the many elements woven together. The forms take on the character of a weaving and a fern unfurling, an expression of the indivisible connection between ourselves and Country.”

– Design statement by Djinjama and Cola Studio

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Trails along the Country Theme connect Kallista, Belgrave and Belgrave Heights

This theme celebrates the inspiration and connection that some of Australia’s most significant artists have drawn from the Dandenong Ranges.

Designer's visualisation of the Country theme Node

Architectural Node

The Country Node will rise along Coles Ridge Track, Kallista. The rammed earth seat is nearing completion. The first stages of the Indigenous planting scheme has been undertaken, including the planting of murnong by Wurundjeri Elders.

The Node itself is being fabricated off site and is anticipated to be installed later this year.

The Country Node takes a macro lens to Country bringing awareness and education on the ancient nature of the tree ferns. At each ribbed section of the node structure, the body is embraced and guided through varying sensory experiences of an unfurling fern narrating a macro story of time. The ribs establish a contemplative space at a human scale as users move through the Node, and provide individual expressions of each layer of Wurundjeri Country: Biik-ut – Below Country, Biik-dui – On Country, Baanj-Biik – Water Country, Murnmut Biik – Wind Country, Wurru wurru Biik – Sky Country, Tharangalk Biik – Star Country. 

- Designer's statement

Infrastructure

Birdsland Reserve, found at one end of the Country-themed trails, is now home to the well-loved swing seats, previously located in Sassafras Village Green. A perfect spot to pause after exploring the interpretive signage and enjoying the Storm Leaves sculpture.

The Resilience theme trails connect Ferny Creek, Tremont, One Tree Hill and Upper Ferntree Gully.

This theme celebrates the inspiring artistic, political and community responses to natural and human-induced crises in Dandenong Ranges.

Artwork

The newly installed Storm Leaves sculpture for the Resilience theme can be found at the intersection of Belview Terrace and School Track in Tremont, near the carpark for the 1000 Steps.

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Architectural Node

The Resilience Node situated below One Tree Hill, Tremont, anticipated to be installed by the end of the year.

“Resilience is a liminal journey through which Country/Culture/People are tempered through adversity to emerge strengthened. The form expresses the flowing tongues of cultural fire that shape the landscape; covered by the sweeping pattern of fins symbolising the strength of the community coming together. The internal experience symbolises the journey of individual resilience transitioning from a compressed entry to an expansive opening. The central aperture directs views upwards to the beyond human scale of the embracing canopy reflecting hope and aspiration required for resilience. Responding to three layers of Wurundjeri Country – Biik-dui (On Country) Murnmut Biik (Wind Country) and Wurru wurru Biik (Sky Country) – this Node respects and acknowledges the significance of the ridgelines and waterways as guiding lines through Country.”

– Design statement by Djinjama and COLA Studio

Activism trails run through Sherbrooke Forest.

This theme celebrates the long history of environmental, social and political activism in the Dandenong Ranges.

Architectural Node

The Activism Node will be installed in the Sherbrooke Picnic Grounds, near the main carpark, later this year.

The Activism Nodes conceptualise activism as the sparks within communities that activate them to fight for justice, for protection, lights that guide us and warm us when times seem cold and dark. They are communities that come together to resist. Their power is in their strength, solidarity, numbers and passion. This collection of symbolic flames are arranged in adaptive ways responding to the surrounding context to facilitate gathering, provide a threshold or encourage exploration. Through these varied experiences, the Activism Nodes encourage a ‘stoking of the flames’ to keep the conversation and action going.  - Designer Statement

– Design statement by Djinjama and Cola Studio

Artwork

Thrivance: Then, Now, Next by Tiriki Onus, Lin Onus and Bill Onus with Jenna Lee and Jamie Ferguson, will be a significant permanent artwork installed on the ngurrak barring trail.

This powerful work weaves together four generations of family history, activism, and creative expression that have taken place in goranwarrabil (the Dandenong Ranges).

Site preparation has begun, and the sculpture will be installed by the end of October.

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