Coolart Wetlands and Homestead Reserve facts for kids
Coolart homestead in winter
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Coolart Wetlands and Homestead Reserve, often called just Coolart, is a special place in Victoria, Australia. It's about 70 kilometers (43 miles) south-east of Melbourne, on the coast of Western Port in the Mornington Peninsula. This large area, about 87.5 hectares (216 acres), has a beautiful old house called a homestead, built in the late 1800s.
Coolart is one of the oldest farms on the Mornington Peninsula. Today, it's a mix of lovely gardens, wetlands (swampy areas), and woodlands (forests) with paths for walking. Parks Victoria looks after Coolart, and the homestead is open for visitors. You can see old photos and different art shows there. Coolart is a great spot for picnics, nature walks, and birdwatching.
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What is Coolart Like?
Coolart is surrounded by Merricks Creek to the south and the Somers School Camp to the east. A road called Balnarring Beach road is on its west side, and private farms are to the north.
The main building is the Coolart Homestead. It's a big, two-story brick house with a tower that has a third floor. There are also smaller buildings around it. Besides the well-kept garden, Coolart has several wetlands. These wetlands have a special bird hide (a hidden spot to watch birds) and an observatory. This observatory is used for learning about nature.
Coolart also has areas of woodlands and farmland. The wetlands are home to a large group of over 1000 Australian white ibises that nest there. In the woodlands, you might spot koalas, swamp wallabies, and echidnas.
Coolart's History
Coolart was originally part of the land of the Bunurong people. The name "Coolart" comes from their word "colourt" or "kulluk," which was the name for a nearby place called Sandy Point.
In 1839, European settlers arrived. The Meyrick brothers started using Coolart as a pastoral lease (land for grazing animals). Over the years, the property was used for different types of farming, like growing crops and raising sheep and cattle.
The Grimwade Family and Homestead
In 1895, a businessman and politician from Melbourne named Frederick Sheppard Grimwade bought the Coolart estate. He bought it as a farm. Soon after, the homestead was built as a country getaway for his family.
Becoming a Wildlife Sanctuary
Coolart changed owners several times in the early 1900s. Then, in 1937, Tom Luxton bought it. He loved wildlife and convinced the government to make Coolart a wildlife sanctuary. He started improving the habitat for animals. He even built an artificial lake and other wetlands to attract waterbirds.
Coolart Today
When Tom Luxton passed away in 1968, the Victorian State Government bought Coolart. They wanted to use it for conservation and education. In 1996, Parks Victoria took over managing the property. They get advice from the Coolart Wetlands and Homestead Trust. Coolart's land and buildings are now listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, which means they are protected because of their historical importance.
A special plaque at Coolart remembers Graham Pizzey. He was a famous Australian author, photographer, and ornithologist (someone who studies birds). He was the first Warden of Coolart from 1980 to 1984.
