Wednesday 5 August, 2026

CELEBRATING TEN YEARS OF WOOWOOKARUNG

Visitors have even more ways to experience the great outdoors at Woowookarung Regional Park, with a new trail now open as the park celebrates its tenth anniversary and an additional Victorian Government funding boost.

At the anniversary celebration today, Member for Eureka Michaela Settle MP, welcomed a $500,000 investment towards a proposed central visitor site for the much-loved park in Ballarat and officially opened the new 10,000 Steps Loop walk developed by Parks Victoria.

The new site will provide a connection to the new 10,000 Steps Loop and the award-winning Dementia-friendly Forest and Sensory Trail, making it easier for visitors walking, cycling or driving to the park to find their way. It will also feature a new picnic area, toilet block, seating and barbecues.

The opportunity to comment on concept designs – developed in collaboration with Wadawurrung Traditional
Owners Aboriginal Corporation, the Friends of Canadian Corridor and the City of Ballarat – is open via Engage
Victoria until 3 September 2026.

As the park celebrates its 10-year anniversary, this investment marks an important milestone to achieving a long term vision for Woowookarung. Community feedback will help inform the next stage of more detailed planning.

Formerly a mining and timber harvesting site, Woowookarung Regional Park was saved from urban development by local community groups to become a thriving native forest for visitors to enjoy bushwalking, trail running and cycling, dog walking and horse riding.

Along with the Dementia-Friendly Trail and the new 10,000 Steps Loop, Parks Victoria has built facilities, createdtracks and trails and supported a wide range of conservation initiatives within the park.

Quotes attributable to Hon Michaela Settle MP, Member for Eureka

“Woowookarung is one of Ballarat’s great treasures, and this investment will help our community get outdoors, stay active and enjoy everything the park has to offer”