Background: The National Dementia Action Plan (2024–2034) prioritises improving dementia diagnosis, care and support in Australia. Yet how people with dementia experience and navigate health, medical and support services remains poorly understood. This sub-study of the Living with Dementia Survey aimed to address this gap through journey mapping experiences from symptom onset to diagnosis and ongoing management. Methods: Journey mapping interviews were conducted with a purposive sub-sample of survey participants to explore their experiences and the pathways through the health, aged and disability system that shaped their current circumstances. Framework analysis was used to identify key transition points, challenges, and opportunities for strengthening dementia support. Results: Forty-six people with dementia from across Australia participated (mean age= 74.3 ± 8.4 years; 52% female), along with 24 care partners. Variable experiences were reported, from mostly positive to markedly negative. Navigating health and support services after diagnosis was consistently described as difficult, with insufficient information and support at diagnosis compounding uncertainty in the period that followed. Broader challenges included limited dementia awareness, constrained service capacity, and fragmented, poorly coordinated care. Positive experiences often hinged on access to a key support person who provided practical assistance, emotional support, advocacy, and care navigation. Conclusion: Journey mapping revealed marked variability in experiences of people with dementia across Australia. While some participants described mostly positive care, many reported substantial challenges across diagnosis, post-diagnostic support, service access, and care navigation. These findings highlight priority areas for targeted action and innovation to drive more integrated, person-centred care.