Discover culture, art and play in Ringwood

In Ringwood, cultural and play-related themes range from the region’s history to art and experiences in nature. This gives you different ways to shape your travel plans: explore cultural heritage, take a closer look at visual art, or discover play opportunities at Ringwood Lake Park.

History and cultural heritage

The Ringwood & District Historical Society preserves and shares the cultural heritage and history of Ringwood and its surroundings. Its activities include research and the care of historical records and artefacts. Publications and lecture programmes complement this work. Its focus is therefore not only on individual historical objects, but also on bringing together and passing on history and tradition.

If you are especially interested in how a place has developed and the stories passed down about it, this historical theme offers a distinct way to explore Ringwood. The Society combines research and collection care with publications and lectures. This sets its perspective on the town apart from the visual art forms featured in the Maroondah Federation Estate Gallery programme.

Cultural venue and visual art

Maroondah Federation Estate is located at 32 Greenwood Avenue, on the site of the former Ringwood Primary School. This community, cultural and arts facility comprises a Cultural Centre, a Lifestyle Centre and the Maroondah Access Gallery. The site’s former use as a school helps explain its history, while the three areas reflect its current focus.

The Maroondah Federation Estate Gallery programme ranges from contemporary to traditional visual art. It includes painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, drawing and photography, as well as video, design, jewellery and installations. Performance and multimedia artworks may also be part of the programme. This range helps you understand the art focus more precisely: it is not limited to a single technique or medium. The exhibitions on show can change.

History and art offer different ways to engage with Ringwood. Those interested in historical records and artefacts will find a different focus from those drawn to various forms of visual art. Both themes can help you decide which experiences matter to your travel plans.

Play opportunities at Ringwood Lake Park

At Ringwood Lake Park, the playground winds among the existing trees, with play opportunities in the tree canopy, beneath the canopy walkway and on the forest floor. There is also a creek area for playing with water and sand. These different areas make nature and play a tangible theme without focusing on any one piece of equipment.

The public toilets at Ringwood Lake Park include a Changing Places bathroom. Check the condition of this Changing Places bathroom before you arrive. The park is on Maroondah Highway in Ringwood. You can consider it as a distinct point of reference when comparing these play experiences with the town’s cultural attractions.

Things to consider when planning your trip

Which of these themes appeals to you most depends on what you want to discover in Ringwood: historical records and artefacts, a wide-ranging art programme, or play opportunities among the trees and with water and sand. These differences give you a practical basis for weighing up your travel interests. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Ringwood, the experiences that matter to you can be part of your decision about where to base your plans. Details about individual accommodation options should be checked separately.

Discover more destinations: Mooroopna, St Arnaud, Yarck, Quambatook, Trentham East, Cape Bridgewater, Hawkesdale, Chadstone.

For the main travel overview: Victoria.