Australia’s first dementia-friendly forest and sensory trail is now open in Ballarat’s Woowookarung Regional Park, offering a gentle and inclusive way to see, smell, touch and hear nature.

Length: 1km

Duration: 2 hrs

Grade: 1

Style: Return

Start: Katy Ryans Road

End: Katy Ryans Road

Location: Woowookarung Regional Park

Closest town: Ballarat

Victoria

From state capital: 115km

Longitude: 143.883503

Latitude: -37.587922

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Hike overview

Situated on the edge of the Woowookarung Regional Park, the Dementia Friendly Forest and Sensory Trail provides a gorgeous native sensory garden and sensory cue trail in a peaceful bushland setting. The trail is designed to evoke positive feelings, sensations and memories for people living with dementia. Visitors can see, smell, touch and hear nature through a series of short walks, sitting areas and viewing points along the way. Designed in collaboration with people living with dementia and their carers, this innovative trail is accessible for wheelchairs and carers, assistance dogs, and groups from residential aged care facilities.

A large undercover map and information display stands alongside the parking area, from which a series of wide gravel pathways take you on a 'Welcome Wander'. All tracks which make up the Welcome Wander trail are wheelchair accessible. A further walk option is the 'Forest Trek' (not suitable for wheelchairs), which provides several more points of interest along the way.

The trail provides a safe, inclusive sensory experience for those people living with dementia, alongside their carers and families, to allow everyone to experience the health and wellbeing benefits of nature. We thank all those who have contributed and supported this experience.

The design is from people living with dementia, alongside their carers and families, the health sector, community groups and traditional owners.

WELCOME WANDER (all abilities)

450 metres
Wander up the main central pathway that connects all of the other side journeys or walks. There are four small, all accessible linked side journeys to explore along the Welcome Wander. Resting points along the way are spaced, providing a safe, inclusive, sensory experience. You are welcome to wander he trails and connect with nature. It is suitable for wheel chairs and walking aids.

Wetland Walk - 95 metres
Feel, see, hear, touch and smell. A short supported walk with resting places within easy distance.

Stone Circle - 190 metres
A communal place to rest, sing, talk, play music with your friends, families and groups.

Bush Window - 270 metres
You can wander further on the trail to view the forest framed by a canopy of trees. Why not put yourself in nature's window?

Wren's Rest - 450 metres
Nearly there now. Wren's Rest is a special place to see and hear small birds.

FOREST TREK (not suitable for wheelchairs)

650 metres
Stroll, Stretch, Meander and Observe. Wander a bit further for more of a forest adventure. If you linger longer you will discover the iconic Austral Grass-tree and other features of Woowookarung's healthy dry forest. Wallabies, lizards and a variety of birds inhabit this park. Walk with a keen eye and sense of adventure, you never know what you may see. This section of the trail is not suitable for wheelchairs and walking aids.

Lounge Lizard - 630 metres
Reclining seats provide the perfect spot to reflect and enjoy the forest environment.

Cocoon Corner - 900 metres
Wrap yourself in nature. It is a 'mindfulness' space where nature is your feel good place.

Wallaby Walkback - 1100 metres
This is the trek's end and the point of return. Enjoy, relax and watch quietly to maybe see a wallaby or two before you return.

Trail features

Manual Wheelchair
Motorised Wheelchair

Trail location

Getting there

Woowookarung Regional Park is located in Ballarat adjoining the suburbs of Ballarat East, Canadian and Mount Clear. It can be accessed from many roads including York St in Ballarat East and Recreation Road, Mount Clear.

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About the region

Woowookarung - ‘place of plenty’ is part of the traditional lands of the Wadawurrung Aboriginal people. Kim-barne Wadawurrung Tabayl - Welcome to Wadawurrung Country. Enjoy and discover the nature of Woowookarung Regional Park.

Woowookarung Regional Park is a 641-hectare park in Ballarat by the people, for the people.

Established in 2016, the park is perfect for bushwalking, trail running and cycling among the Messmate Stringybark, Grass Trees, and native heath.

Take your dog for a walk (on lead) to scenic lookouts, or ride your horse through the former state forest and plantation, while keeping an eye out for kangaroos, echidnas, bird species, and colourful wildflowers.

Keen mountain bikers can discover two existing trails located behind Mount Clear College.

There are currently no toilets in the park, but the Woowookarung Regional Park Strategic Directions Plan outlines the proposed visitor facilities planned for the future.

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Acknowledgement of Country

Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.