Recently my artist daughter exhibited some of her paintings in an art exhibition at Coolart Homestead at Somers, on the Mornington Peninsula, 80 kilometres south of Melbourne. I went down for a look.
Coolart is a late Victorian mansion surrounded by formal gardens and a large wetlands area. The name Coolart derives from the word, ‘Colourt’ or ‘Callert’, the name used by the Bunurong people, the original inhabitants of the area, for nearby Sandy Point.
Verandas shade the the house from the hot Australian sun and keep the rooms dark and cool.
I was disappointed to find the tower was out of bounds, along with the old servants’ quarters, now used for storage and office space.
By the 1900s, the lovely formal gardens had been added to the earlier orchards and vegetable gardens.
A series of walking tracks throughout the park allow you to explore coastal woodlands, wetland areas and lagoons.
One of the tracks leads down to Balnarring Beach, which looks out over Western Port Bay.
In 1961, six pairs of of Australian White Ibis nested in Luxton Lagoon for the first time. There are now 500 breeding annually.
Coolart is free to get in and is open from 9am till 5pm daily. There is no cafe, though, so be sure to take your own food and plenty of water.
Examples of my daughter, Bernadette‘s art work.
Planning to the Nth 
Lovely pics and he the art goes well. Cheers to the both of you Nadine
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Thanks, Nar.
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The Homestead looks beautiful in its waterside location. I’ve visited Minsmere in Suffolk some years ago so nice to read about it here. Your daughter is a very talented artist, does she take after you?
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Not likely, but I do do great stick figures.
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Such a beautiful area to visit. Lots if Cafes up the road or the grounds are fantastic for a picnic.
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What a lovely place. These are gorgeous images Coral, as is your daughter’s art. She is very talented.
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Thanks, Miriam. Don’t know where she gets it from. Certainly not me.
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Great photos Coral, you’ve captured the surrounds and house well. Love the kookaburra. Did you get a peep at the kitchen?
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Thanks Suzanne, Couldn’t get access to the kitchen. Very disappointing.
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