Country Theme
This theme celebrates the inspiration and connection some of Australia’s most significant artists have drawn from the Dandenong Ranges.
Experience Country
Welcome to ngurrak barring. This trail invites you to explore the deep cultural and creative history of goranwarrabil (the Dandenong Ranges) through five key themes: Ways of Seeing, Community, Activism, Resilience, and Country.
Mandy Nicholson – Biik Ngarrga
“This is about the beautiful layers of Wurundjeri Country. There are six different layers: Biik-ut, Biik-dui, Baanj Biik, Murnmut Biik, Wurru wurru Biik and Tharangalk Biik.
The first layer, Biik-ut or Below Country, is where we dig into the ground to collect ochre for dance and ceremony. The second layer, Biik-dui, is where we do dances and ceremonies, but also balance our cultural lives with our day to day.
The next layer is Baanj-Biik or Water Country. Water forms part of every element of Country. It’s found in our bodies, the largest of oceans to water vapor up in space. It also forms part of our welcomes where we get guests to drink water from Country to show that resources are safe while they’re visiting.
The next layer is Murnmut Biik or Wind Country. We can’t see wind, but we can see what wind touches. Wind blows our voices when we speak and sing in language, but also blows the smoke from our welcoming fires all the way up to Bunjil.
The next layer is Wurru wurru Biik or Sky Country. That’s where we see Bunjil in his physical form watching over us with his helper Waang the Raven.
The final layer, Tharangalk Biik, is Star Country. This is where Bunjil lives in his spiritual form as the star Altair and the stars either side of him creating his shoulders are Gunuwarra the Black Swans, his two wives, all forming the aquila constellation. The name is very important. Tharang means tree, Galk is stick and Biik is country. So it’s Bush Country, above the clouds.”
Country
Explore the artworks, visit the architectural node and immerse yourself in the story of Country. Experience works that speak to this place, created by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal storytellers, singers and poets.
Trails along the ‘Country’ theme connect Kallista, Belgrave and Belgrave Heights.
Artwork
Storm Leaves by Anton McMurray
Parking Areas
You can begin your exploration of the Country theme from Belgrave Station
Histories and Stories
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Gathering Spaces
The Country Node pays homage to the ancient tree ferns holding space nearby, acknowledging each layer of Wurundjeri Country and the human experience of travelling across Country over time.
Events
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Amenities
Grants Picnic Ground, Kallista; Belgrave main street and Birdsland Reserve
Amenities
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Water Stations
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Picnic Areas
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Public Transport
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Trail Conditions and Closures
Country trails connect Kallista, Belgrave and Birdsland, Belgrave Heights.
Whenever you’re visiting our national parks and state forests, please always check changes to trail conditions, and weather warnings, before beginning your walk. Be sure to take enough water,and wear suitable clothing for the conditions.
Gathering Space
“The Country Node takes a macro lens to Country bringing awareness and education on the ancient nature of the tree ferns. At each ribbed section of the node structure, the body is embraced and guided through varying sensory experiences of an unfurling fern narrating a macro story of time.
The ribs establish a contemplative space at a human scale as users move through the Node, and provide individual expressions of each layer of Wurundjeri Country: Biik-ut – Below Country, Biik-dui – On Country, Baanj-Biik – Water Country, Murnmut Biik – Wind Country, Wurru wurru Biik – Sky Country, Tharangalk Biik – Star Country.” – designer statement.
The ngurrak barring Architectural Nodes are collaborative explorations of the themes of the walk through an Indigenous lens, crafted by First Peoples design studios, Djinjama and COLA Studio.
Interpretive Signage
Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people have lived on and cared for Country for generations. They have followed the ngurrak barring (mountain paths) through the Dandenong Ranges, using the Waterways, Trees and Rocks as a means of wayfaring through and reading Country.
Songlines represent the intangible connections and knowledge of Country. Every part of Country has a song, from the smallest speck of dirt to the highest leaf on a tree. These songs were passed down through families and communities, and were often sung when travelling through Country. Songs, Songlines or Dreamings carry vast amounts of knowledge which is passed down through a community. Songlines represent stories that carry the complex physical pathways of knowledge, cultural values and wisdom of Country.
Wurundjeri Woi–wurrung people are able to store their knowledge in invisible song books that are taught and handed down through generations using song, dance, ceremonies and art, but most importantly, through a deep-rooted and unrelenting connection to Country.
Interpretive signage along the Country theme speaks to this deep connection.
Storm Leaves, Kallista
Anton McMurray’s Storm Leaves rise at the Kallista Trailhead, in Grants Picnic Ground Sherbrooke Forest
Storm Leaves, Birdsland Reserve
Anton McMurray’s Storm Leaves rise at the Trailhead in Birdsland Reserve
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