You Yangs and Serendip Sanctuary upgrades

Project status

  • Thank you for the feedback on the You Yangs precinct draft concept designs consultation. We received over 300 survey responses and four submissions. The consultation report is available on the Engage Victoria website. 
  • Students and community groups have helped us improve the local ecosystem, with more than 2000 recently planted natives already drawing more wildlife to Serendip Sanctuary.
  • Works on the new Sensory Garden at Serendip Sanctuary are now complete. The garden is expected to be ready to welcome visitors in late-2025.
  • Works to repair major leaks and crack on the Serendip display pond were completed in September 2025. It is now bubbling with water welcoming birds, frogs and insects.
  • The garden and pond projects are being delivered as part of a package of early works at Serendip. 
  • Planning and procurement has started for the major visitor facilities upgrades and conservation projects at Serendip.
Last updated: November 2025 

 

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The project

This project is being delivered on Wadawurrung Country.

 
The You Yangs 'precinct' is a rich and varied landscape, comprising the distinctive granite peaks of ‘Wurdi Youang’ and Serendip Sanctuary, situated south within the low lying plain.

 

Located on Wadawurrung Country, the precinct holds significant natural and cultural values, with a long history of more than 30,000 years.

Today, the You Yangs Regional Park and Serendip Sanctuary are popular areas for wildlife viewing, education and outdoor recreation, including mountain biking, horse riding, rock-climbing and abseiling, trail running, bushwalks and picnics.

In 2022, a master plan for the precinct was released that sets a vision for this unique environment and key regional tourism destination. The plan aims to protect and enhance the natural and cultural assets that have already established the precinct, while also identifying new facilities, infrastructure and unique experiences that can be offered.

With an $11 million investment provided by the Victorian Government, and $45,000 provided through a sponsorship with CDC Victoria, CMV Truck & Bus and Volvo Buses Australia, we are now delivering on initiatives in the master plan.

 

Smiling group of people standing on ramped earth in front of the Serendip display pond. A tall pole at right features a yellow, orange and white artwork by Wadawurrung artist Jenna Oldaker. This was taken when the Stakeholder Reference Group visited the almost completed Sensory Garden.
Stakeholder Reference Group visit to the Sensory Garden (L-R): Peter Zammit, Jani Demetrious, Tracy Carter (Geelong Bellarine Tourism), Joy Thorup Anderson (Friends of Serendip), Ella George — Member for Lara, Ruth Woodrow, Sarah Knell (GenU), Kwai Chang Kum, David Petty

Early works: Serendip Sensory Garden

The new sensory garden at Serendip Sanctuary will open to visitors soon.

The works at Serendip are one of the initiatives identified in the 2022 You Yangs Precinct Master Plan.

Works on the garden are almost complete.  The garden will open to school groups and the public when the plants have had time to grow and established in the garden.

The garden includes five spaces, each with a focus on one of the five senses. Across the spaces visitors will enjoy the:

  • brightly coloured flora in the ’See’ space
  • plants with various textures in the ’Feel’ space
  • edible bush foods in the ’Taste’ space
  • paths for people of diverse ages, backgrounds and abilities
  • accessible seating and quiet spaces to relax and enjoy connecting with nature.

The garden design also features artwork and interpretation from Wadawurrung artist Jenna Oldaker.

Parks Victoria has worked with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, disability services, schools and community groups to co-design the garden. 

 

Serendip pond

Works on the pond to repair major cracks and leaks are now complete. The pond at Serendip Sanctuary was built in the 1990s and its structure was deteriorating.

The upgrade works have delivered a long-term, sustainable solution to welcome resident and visiting birds. The works also created important habitats for frogs, turtles and insects. We are also investigating the release of the threatened pygmy perch to breed in the pond.

 

Future works

We are planning the other master plan initiatives that will be delivered as part of the project. From upgrading visitor facilities at Serendip, to improving tracks and trails in the You Yangs Regional Park we are prioritising:

  • enhancing the wildlife viewing experience at Serendip
  • looking at ways to help revitalise the You Yangs precinct
  • upgrading education and outdoor recreation opportunities
  • protecting the environmental and cultural values of the area. 
 

Consultation report on the draft concept designs

In the April 2025 consultation, we sought feedback on the draft concept designs to guide which works should be prioritised and delivered with the funding available.

Thank you to the You Yangs precinct community groups and visitors, and the community members who shared their feedback. We have reviewed the over 300 surveys and four submissions received.

Feedback received is now supporting the rollout of the Victorian Government’s $11 million investment to revitalise visitor infrastructure across the precinct. The report will guide what works to prioritise in the You Yangs Regional Park and deliver first at the Serendip Sanctuary.


View the report on the Engage Victoria website

 

Project benefits 

Visitors

The You Yangs Regional Park and Serendip Sanctuary are popular places for wildlife viewing, education and outdoor recreation. This project will provide a better, safer, and more accessible experience for visitors for years to come.


Environment

The upgrades will provide visitors with opportunities to explore and learn about the environmental and cultural values of Serendip Sanctuary and You Yangs Regional Park. We are also ensuring the plants, animals and ecosystems that thrive across the park are protected.


Community

Improved facilities will mean that local communities in Lara and Little River will have more opportunities to get active, get into nature and connect with friends and family in the You Yangs precinct. The project is enhancing the visitor experience at Serendip Sanctuary by delivering:

  • new opportunities for education and learning
  • better access for schools and disability groups
  • revitalised and new high-quality educational experiences
  • new spaces and experiences for people with diverse needs and abilities.
 

Economy

Nature-based tourism is an important contributor to local businesses. Improving the visitor experience across the You Yangs precinct will help boost tourism in the area and support the regional economy. 

 

Project funding

This project is being delivered with the following funding:

  • $11 million from the Victorian Government
  • $45,000 from CDC Victoria, CMV Truck & Bus and Volvo Buses Australia
 

 

Environment and cultural heritage management

Environmental and cultural heritage assessments will be undertaken for this project, to ensure that cultural heritage and plants and wildlife will be protected during works.

Who are we working with?

  • Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation
  • Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
  • CDC Victoria, CMV Truck & Bus and Volvo Buses Australia

 

Putting safety first

Visitor safety is our number one priority when considering risk in parks. While nature will always be unpredictable, our projects and maintenance works help minimise risks and help people explore the great outdoors safely.

Parks Victoria is responsible for continuously managing and maintaining over 50,000 pieces of infrastructure across the state annually. We are also delivering new projects to help visitors get into nature. These are thoroughly planned and prepared to keep people and projects separate – and safe.

When visiting a park where projects are happening, especially during construction, it is important that people follow the direction of signs, stay out of fenced and restricted areas, and listen to Parks Victoria staff and work crews.

 

Stay updated

Subscribe to receive updates on the project or get in touch with the team at engage@parks.vic.gov.au. As the project progresses, information on this page will be updated.

 

Related information

 

 

 

 

 

 

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