Larni Yirrip, meaning ‘Home of the Ironbarks’ in Dja Dja Wurrung language, is a new cultural space coming to Bendigo Regional Park in Victoria.

 

A new contemporary cultural space and campground, Larni Yirrip, is opening soon in Bendigo Regional Park, offering the opportunity to learn more about Dja Dja Wurrung culture and Country. Bendigo Regional Park is part of the traditional lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung People, and the new 12-site campground is named after the native Box-Ironbark tree species that the area is known for. 

Parks Victoria Chief Executive Officer Lee Miezis said the new Larni Yirrip Campground will make spending time in nature and experiencing the health benefits of getting outdoors easier for everyone. 

‘This beautifully designed new campground, with fantastic facilities, is the gem of Central Victoria’s parks. Parks Victoria is proud to work in partnership with DJAARA to deliver projects like this and jointly manage parks across Central Victoria’, Mr Miezis said.

What’s Larni Yirrip campground like?

Larni Yirrip was designed and built by DJAARA, the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, and its enterprise DJANDAK, in partnership with Parks Victoria. 

The campground features 12 campsites, some with raised platforms, as well as toilets, picnic facilities, shelters, fire pits, and frog ponds.

The grounds’ design features Dja Dja Wurrung cultural elements such as ceremonial spaces, while the unique shape of the shelters is inspired by traditional Djaara designs. Interpretive signage has also been installed to share Djaara cultural stories and art.

‘This is the first DJAARA campground designed by and for Djaara (Dja Dja Wurrung People) since colonisation’, DJAARA Chair, Rebecca Phillips, said. ‘But, importantly, it’s a campground built for the whole community. It’s based around Dja Dja Wurrung values and is designed to create a space for community and sharing.’

To minimise the removal of trees, the campground was built on previously disturbed land and nearby existing trails, meaning the project has remediated a previously degraded area into a new valuable gathering place for the community.

Where is Larni Yirrip Campground?

Larni Yirrip Campground is found off the Calder Highway in the Bendigo Regional Park and has access to a range of activities such as swimming and birdwatching. It’s close to walking and cycling trails, Crusoe Reservoir, No. 7 Park, and the Big Hill Lookout.

The campground is close to completion, and although an opening date is yet to be announced, it’s expected to be open for bookings in the coming weeks.

To learn more about Larni Yirrip and how to visit, go to the Parks Victoria website. Plus, for more recommendations of what to explore nearby, discover our guide to the Bendigo region.

 

Photo by @djadjawurrung

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