May 15th, 2024Creswick mountain bike trail network gets apt new name

Creswick’s mountain bike trail network has an apt new name – “Djuwang Baring”, meaning ‘long track’ in the Aboriginal Dja Dja Wurrung language. 

The Hepburn Shire Council and DJAARA, through the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, have announced the new moniker in recent days.

The milestone naming comes after construction of the locality’s network of 60 kilometres of mountain bike trails began early last year.

Hepburn Shire Council mayor, Cr Brian Hood, said that the trails wind their way through Dja Dja Wurrung Country passing through State Forest, Regional Park and HVP Plantation lands. 

“Once open, the network will deliver an unparalleled experience of the local landscape’s cultural values, forested ecology as well as mining heritage,” he said. 

The full network of trails is set to open in late this year when construction is complete.  

Creswick’s Djuwang Baring consists of a series of skill-rated riding experiences along approximately 70 trail segments.

These segments will also be named with half of the names featuring words in the Dja Dja Wurrung language and the other half proposed by the community. The trail naming process is underway with a draft list of trail names expected to be released later in the month.  

“Council is proud for our premier network of trails to carry a name in Dja Dja Wurrung language. It has been a positive experience collaborating with DJAARA to realise the vision of the traditional language returning to use in the land as it once was,” said Cr Hood. 

Dja Dja Wurrung Group CEO Rodney Carter said DJAARA was very pleased to collaborate with Hepburn Shire Council on the project, which is forecast to bring a significant boost to the region.

“Dja Dja Wurrung People have walked this Country for many thousands of years, and we are proud to share our Country and our Culture with all in the community,” Mr Carter said.

“The project recognises Dja Dja Wurrung People as the Traditional Owners through the naming of the facility, and through the use of Dja Dja Wurrung language on many of the individual trail segments.”

The trailhead for Djuwang Baring, Hammon Park, is open for use and features three lines of cycling jumps, pump track, learn to ride area, BBQ area, children’s play area, rope climbing tower, parking and toilets, including a shower and changing place accessible amenities block. 

“Djuwang Baring is promising to be world-class mountain biking trails which will bring considerable economic benefits to Creswick and our region through business opportunities and increased tourism,” Cr Hood said.

” The various types of  skill-rated  trails offer our community the opportunity to be outdoors in a beautiful environment getting active and healthy.”