WANDERING AT COOLART WETLANDS (Australia)

WANDERING AT COOLART WETLANDS

(Somers, Victoria Australia)

By Frances Harris

I’ve been planning to visit this place for some time. Finally, today found this fascinating piece of history and wonderful walking tracks and delightful wetlands. Photos on the wall show that Coolart was a functioning farm estate occupied by a families. It must have been a wonderful place for children to grow up.

Just before the entrance, I said ‘hello,’ to these curious cows on the estate.

This is the welcome centre at the end of the car park. I was hoping to see some wattle trees in bloom, but looking around it didn’t seem likely. The weather was beautiful and surprisingly warm. Entry is free here.

The garden was like a page taken out of the 1800’s. There are plenty of places to sit and take in the scenery.

I was expecting to see a small cottage, so when I got my first glimpse of a manor house it took my breath away.

This is a closer view of the Coolart, mansion.

 The winter rose garden with pergola supports constructed of stones.

The front entrance.

This could be a sitting room. Only three rooms are open to the public. The building is still being renovated.

This room was so true to the late 1800’s, I felt the family had just stepped out for a while.

I love to look at antiques and found this one very interesting.

This was another example of a beautiful antique.

 I went out the back past the veranda and found this typical garden of little snow drops. It was just beautiful.

 I found the pathway to the horse stables.

These original stables are in good condition. They could be used today.

Further down the back I along a path to the wetlands.

Walking path to the wetlands

I took this photo from inside a bird hide of Ibis enjoying the sun.

Here is a line of dated horse drawn farm machinery. (The late 1800’s)

 This is the family orchard.

There are lots of wonderful little pathways.

 At the beginning of my walk I found another smaller wetland.

This is an example of one of the many walking tracks. There are markers in case people get lost.

I walked for quite a while, keeping my approximate position by following the sun.

 This stream was a nice surprise along the way. It was interesting that it smelt like salt water.

This pathway seemed to be covered with fine sand.

This was a wonderful surprise.

I took this path on the way back to the mansion.

On my way back I noticed the golden wattle had come out during the day.

My journey was finished, so it was time to move on.

I went past the veranda and back to the car. What a lovely experience.