Coolart Wetlands and Homestead Reserve
Coolart Wetlands and Homestead Reserve comprises a late 19th-century mansion-like homestead and surrounding grounds west of the village of Somers. The homestead is set in a garden with adjacent wetlands and coastal woodlands with walking tracks. It is managed by Parks Victoria and is open to the public. It is a popular venue for picnics, nature walks and birdwatching.Coolart is bordered by Merricks Creek on the south, Somers School Camp on the east, Balnarring Beach road on the west and privately owned farmland on the north. It contains the Coolart Homestead, a substantial two-storey brick house, with a third-storey tower and several outbuildings. As well as a well-maintained garden there are several wetlands with a bird hide and a wetland observatory with educational facilities. There are also areas of woodland and farmland. The wetlands are home to a breeding colony of over 1000 ibises, while koalas inhabit the woodlands.
The Coolart estate was purchased as a farming property in 1895 by Frederick Sheppard Grimwade, a Melbourne businessman and parliamentarian, with the homestead built immediately thereafter as his family s country retreat. The property passed through various hands during the early 20th century before it was acquired by Tom Luxton in 1937. Luxton persuaded the state government to declare the property a wildlife sanctuary and began a program of habitat development that included the construction of an artificial lake and other wetlands for waterbirds.
When Luxton died in 1968 Coolart was purchased by the Victorian State Government for conservation and education purposes. Parks Victoria took over the management of the property in 1996, advised by the Coolart Wetlands and Homestead Trust. Coolart s land and buildings are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
Coolart s gardens were designed in 1938 for Tom and Gertrude Luxton by David Mathews the curator of Footscray Gardens. Trees from all around the world can be found here including the exotic Gingko from China and the majestic Blue Atlas Cedar from Algeria and Morocco. The Homestead lawns are the perfect location for a leisurely picnic or if you prefer, free electric barbeques are available in the picnic area. If it is cold or wet, please ask at the Visitors Centre for access to the stables.The picnic and barbecue area at Coolart is next to the vistors centre. This grassed area has picnic tables and free electric barbecues.
The Homestead, Visitor Centre and Wetlands Observatory are not open on weekends from May through to October inclusive, except for special events. All other facilities are open including toilets, picnic area, barbecues, formal gardens, farmyard & displays, woodland & wetland walks including bird hides. Coolart wetlands, bird hides, gardens and picnic/bbq areas are open daily from 9am to 5pm. Visitors are advised to call 13 1963 before travelling to check on access to The Homestead, Wetlands Observatory (including audio-visual) and Visitor Centre as opening hours vary for these buildings and seasonal closures apply.
Location: Lord Somers Road, Somers (Mornington Peninsula), Vic.
