Woowookarung Regional Park

Two people on a walking track surrounded by a mature lush forest.

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Explore

Woowookarung Regional Park

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. 

Please note, there are currently no toilets in the park, but the Woowookarung Regional Park Strategic Directions Plan (PDF) outlines the proposed visitor facilities planned for the future.


Dementia-friendly Forest and Sensory Trail

In 2021, Australia’s first Dementia-friendly Forest and Sensory Trail was created in the park.

Just inside the park boundary, off Elsworth Street East/Katy Ryans Road, the gentle 1km trail features sensory aspects and quiet places for reflection. These features have been chosen to quietly evoke positive memories, feelings and sensations. With pathways to allow wheelchairs and carers, assistance dogs, and groups from residential aged care facilities, the trail is an accessible opportunity for people living with dementia to enjoy being in nature.

CDC Victoria, CMV Truck & Bus and Volvo Bus Australia are Parks Victoria’s Supporting Partners for the Dementia Friendly Forest Trail.


A sustainable track network

The strategic directions plan supports the creation of a primary track network, track connections and speciality circuits for specific user groups. Parks Victoria is seeking to balance of protecting the environment and the need to support sustainable recreation.

Things to do

A father teaches his young daughter to ride a bike in Braeside Park.

Cycling

Cycling is a great way to enjoy the beautiful surroundings in parks. Whether you're looking for a leisurely ride or downhill adrenalin rush, Victoria's parks have something for you.
Four friends relax by the edge of the Yarra River as their curly brown dog gets ready to jump in the water.

Dog walking

Round up your dog, grab the lead and visit dog-friendly parks near Melbourne and across Victoria.
A young mountain biker attempts a drop while cheered on by his father and older sister at the You Yangs Regional Park.

Mountain biking

Explore parks on two wheels with mountain bike trails to suit most experience and fitness levels.
A couple run through the bush and leaves at Lysterfield Park.

Trail running

Get active and healthy in nature by taking your exercise fitness routine outdoors to one of many park running trails.
Two women follow the path through scrub up Mt Bogong with mountain views in the distance.

Walking

Whether you’re after a gentle stroll or something long-distance, there are walking trails to suit all levels of fitness and ability.

Woowookarung Regional Park

This area is well known for its wildlife. Keep an eye out for:

Echidnas
Kangaroos

Tours and adventure experiences in parks

One of the best ways you can get into nature is with a Licensed Tour Operator.

There are more than 400 Licensed Tour Operators across Victoria who are ready and waiting to help you experience and connect with Victoria’s spectacular parks and waterways.

Discover more than 60 different types of nature-based experiences including hiking, mountain biking, boating, four-wheel driving, indigenous culture tours, birdwatching, surfing, diving and so much more. 

Licensed Tour Operators know all the best places to go and will plan and prepare your visit to ensure you are safe and can enjoy your nature-based adventure to the fullest.

Find a Licensed Tour Operator

How to get there

Woowookarung Regional Park

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.
Getting there

When you're there

Download the Woowookarung Regional Park visitor guide for more information about the park and the plethora of experiences to be had within its borders.

Related Sites

When to go

Need to know

Woowookarung Regional Park

Accessibility

Please be mindful of track conditions and other visitors as all park tracks are unsealed and shared by walkers, riders and drivers.

How we keep it special

In 2017, Woowookarung Regional Park was officially opened - a new park by the people, for the people. Woowookarung means ‘place of plenty’ and this park is part of the traditional lands of the Wadawurrung Aboriginal people.



Shaping the future

The Strategic Directions Plan has been developed to guide management of the park for the next 20 years and is the result of in-depth consultation and collaboration with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and local community, including Friends of Canadian Corridor, Ballarat City Council, Department of Health and Human Services, residents, interested user groups, schools, universities and the broader Victorian community.

While there are no visitor facilities currently in the park, Parks Victoria is working with Wadawurrung, the Traditional Owners, and the community, including Friends of Canadian Corridor, Ballarat City Council, local residents, interested user groups, schools, universities and the broader Victorian community to decide and plan the future of the park.


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