First look: Serendip's sensory garden to open before summer

SERENDIP Sanctuary’s new sensory garden will open to the public before summer, after its recent plantings have had more time to establish themselves in the space.

Enabled by a $45,000 investment from CDC Victoria, CMV Truck & Bus, and Volvo Bus Australia, the garden has been designed to provide a contemplative space for the community to come, gather with friends and experience nature.

For those with vision impairments, who use technology daily to navigate their day-to-day activities, the garden also offers an opportunity to disconnect.

Lara MP Ella George said the space had transformed a previously unused part of the sanctuary into a “natural haven and place of relaxation”.

Brightly coloured pieces by Wadawurrung Traditional Owner and artist Jenna Oldaker feature throughout the garden, each telling a different story.

Wide paths meander through the garden, connecting visitors to each of its five distinct spaces, each representing a sense.

The “See Space” features brightly coloured plants, planter boxes at different heights and “window frames” drawing the eye to colourful displays, while the “Smell Space” offers fragrant plants and seats for relaxing.

The “Listening Space” has been designed around plants that will attract birds and bees, the “Taste Space” features edible bush foods like the yam daisy, and the “Feel Space”, which overlooks the now-restored Display Pond features plants with different textures.

Lara MP Ella George and Parks Victoria district manager David Petty in the garden’s “Feel Space”, which overlooks the newly restored Display Pond and features plants with different textures. Photo: ELLIE CLARINGBOLD

The garden also includes a Yarning Circle, co-designed with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.

Brightly coloured artworks, created by Wadawurrung Traditional Owner and artist Jenna Oldaker, feature throughout the garden, each telling a different story, and timber sunlounges, large stones and logs, with added metal armrests to give those who need it a boost, litter the space.

The paths are formed with a yellow stone and bordered by a metal ring — design elements highlighted during the co-design process to better allow people with vision impairments to navigate through the garden.

As the plants grow, Parks Victoria general manager David Petty said, more birds, bugs and critters are expected to find their way back to the reserve, something rangers are already beginning to see take place.

As the ecosystem continues to develop, it is hoped the space will naturally attract echidnas, koalas and other species as well.

“We want everyone to come back to Serendip,” Mr Petty said. “A number of people have contributed ideas, thoughts and their passion.

Timber sunlounges, large stones and logs, with added metal armrests to give those who need it a boost, litter the space, providing a variety of seating options.

“Whether we’ve agreed all the time or not, I think people will be really proud of the work that happens here and that the investment in Serendip dhows that we are prioritising this park and the importance for the surrounding community.”

The Display Pond has now been repaired, after engineering assessments found major cracks and leaks in its walls and base, with more work still to be done to transform the much-loved feature into a more natural-looking pond.

From next year, the pond will also provide a home to threatened fish species, including yarra pygmy perch, a small, freshwater fish that has been battling dwindling numbers.

It is a move that recognises Serendip’s long history in protecting and helping to restore threatened species, and one Mr Petty said Parks Victoria was continuing to explore.

The “See Space” features brightly coloured plants, planter boxes at different heights and “window frames” drawing the eye to colourful displays.

“We’ve been having really good conversations and discussions with Zoos Victoria and Odonata about the potential of Serendip Sanctuary, and so our intention is that this can be a place where there can be insurance populations of specific species.

“We are negotiating how that looks at the moment, but we have the facilities here that could help.

“We’re not a wildlife service, so we do need others to come in and assist us.”

The sensory garden forms part of the state government’s $11 million investment into the reserve and the nearby You Yangs. CDC Victoria will also invest a further $45,000 in the space.

Tenders are presently out for the next stage of works at the sanctuary, with refurbishments to the education centre, car park, picnic area, wildlife walking paths and bird viewing areas expected to be completed by mid-2026.

“People will start to see the upgrades happen really quickly, and I hope that builds people’s trust in Parks Victoria and the work they’re doing here, and lays to rest some of those concerns [about Serendip Sanctuary’s future],” Ms George said.