You Yangs and Serendip Sanctuary upgrades

Project status

You Yangs Regional Park 

Planning is underway on the master plan initiatives to be delivered at You Yangs Regional Park. Working in partnership with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, we are prioritising protecting the environmental and cultural values of the area and finalising ways to revitalise the You Yangs precinct.

Serendip Sanctuary

Following the appointment of contractor Naturform, upgrades are progressing on a range of visitor and education facility improvements ahead of spring 2026, including: 

  • Major enhancements to the park entrance and carpark
  • An internal fit out of the Education Centre to support learning programs
  • New accessible toilets, along with additional shelters, picnic tables and benches
  • Improvements to the Northern Ponding Site
  • New bird viewing areas and additional seating
  • Renewal of the Bird Hide Tunnel and predator proof fencing
  • Refreshed paths and trails to improve accessibility throughout the park
  • New interactive elements, intuitive wayfinding and engaging interpretive signage. 

 

Education Centre concept design

Works are currently underway on the Education Centre at Serendip Sanctuary, guided by the concept design pictured above.

 
Last updated: June 2026

 

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The project

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.

In April 2025, we sought feedback on the draft concept designs to guide which works should be prioritised and delivered with the available funding. Thank you to the You Yangs precinct community groups and visitors, and the community members who shared their feedback. The report, now available through Engage Victoria, is guiding what works to prioritise and deliver first.

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.

Find out more about the project, and other news and events happening at the You Yangs Regional Park and Serendip Sanctuary below.

 

 

Early works

Serendip Sanctuary's Sensory Garden

A more immersive and inclusive experience is now available at Serendip Sanctuary, with the new sensory garden officially open to all. 

Designed for people of all ages and abilities, the garden has five zones to engage each of your senses and features artwork and audio interpretation by Wadawurrung artist Jenna Oldaker.

Visitors can 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.

 

 

Serendip Sanctuary Sensory Garden plant bays and aboriginal artworks

The completed 'See' space within the new Sensory Garden, now open for all visitors to enjoy.

 

Serendip Sanctuary's Display Pond

Works on the newly refurbished display pond – now known as Buluk, which means 'lake' in Wadawurrung language, 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 have created important habitats for frogs, turtles and insects. 

Parks Victoria is investigating the release of the threatened Pygmy Perch to breed in the pond.

 

The refurbished display pond, known as Buluk, now complete

The refurbished display pond, now known as 'Buluk', within Serendip Sanctuary's Sensory Garden.

 

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. 
 

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
  • GenU, Headspace, Cultura, Vision Australia, Outside the Box Education, Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria, City of Greater Geelong, Geelong Bellarine Tourism, Friends of Serendip Sanctuary, Lara Secondary College and Geelong Tech School 

 

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.

 

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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