The Sensory Trail.

A trail like no other

Woowookarung Regional Park in Ballarat is home to the Woowookarung Dementia-Friendly Forest and Sensory Trail — Australia's first dementia-friendly forest trail. It's a joint project between Bigger Hearts and Parks Victoria, co-designed by people living with dementia, their care partners, and members of the wider community.

The trail is designed to promote health and wellbeing through experiences in nature — to be enjoyed by all abilities, but particularly by people living with dementia throughout their journey.

What you'll find there

The trail's track is gentle and accessible, suitable for:

• Wheelchairs and mobility aids
• Walkers and people with trail riders
• Companion dogs
• Smaller and larger groups, including visits from residential aged care homes

Apart from surprise sensory elements along the path, there's seating throughout, clear signage, and gathering points. The trail sits within the larger 10,000 Steps Trail, so visitors can connect their walk with the broader park and feel part of the wider community.

The trail is positioned to support community inclusion — offering everyone an appreciation and connection to nature.

How it came to be

The trail was officially opened by Michaela Settle MP, Member for Buninyong, on 25 June 2021. Numbers at the launch were restricted to 20 because of COVID — but the dream behind it is decades wide. It was co-designed from the start by people living with dementia, their care partners, and the Ballarat community.

Filmmaker Andy Ferguson of Ferguson Films generously gifted his time and talents to document the launch and the trail's stories. We're deeply grateful for his ongoing support of people impacted by dementia.