summer 2015 40 HISTORIC PROPERTIES GARDENS Our Heritage A LITTLE HISTORY Point Nepean National Park is truly one of Victoria s beautiful natural and historical landscapes.
Offering free entry, the park is located at the very tip of the Mornington Peninsula and has some of the most breathtaking panoramic views of Bass Strait, the Rip and Port Phillip Bay, highlights of which are now accessible from the top of the recently opened Monash Light.
The entrance to Port Phillip Bay was the most heavily forted port of the British Empire and was known as the Gibraltar of the South .
Visitors will enjoy discovering Point Nepean s remarkable history through exploring Fort Nepean s extensive network of forts, gun emplacements and tunnels.
The Quarantine Station, established in 1852 is another must do .
Here visitors can explore history through visiting the hospitals, a disinfecting complex, a morgue, and the original cemetery site.
To best plan your visit, head towards the Quarantine Station first.
There, Information Centre staff will direct you to linked walking trails, an all weather shuttle bus Point Nepean National Park Located at the end of Point Nepean Road, Portsea Park Entry is free For more information visit THINGS TO DO AT PT NEPEAN Explore the fortifications and tunnels at Fort Nepean.
Take a self-guided tour through the Quarantine Station.
Go for a bike ride or walk through Moonah woodlands.
Try and spot a dolphin in Port Phillip Bay.
Ride the Transporter from the Visitor Centre out to Fort Nepean.
Have a picnic.
...or just marvel at the dramatic coastal landscape where Port Phillip Bay meets Bass Strait.
www.parks.vic.gov.au or call 13 1963 Our landscapes, are many and varied they are also replete with history.
From the original inhabitants to early European settlement, grand hotels and even a French emperor, there are many places of interest to visit.
Sorrento was the site of the first settlement in Victoria.
Early settlers cleared the land establishing family holdings some of which survive today.
Pt.
Nepean and the Quarantine Station were the colony's first line of defence against invasion and disease and the site holds many buildings and sites of historical significance.
Standing at the end of the point looking down at the narrow channel between the Heads you can see why mariners of old described their passage through the treacherous currents and reefs as threading the needle .
Visit the poignant pioneer cemetery and wander the trails through moonah trees to hidden coves with views across to Queenscliff.
Timbers from Arthur's Seat fed the fires of Melbourne, the lime kilns at Rye helped Melbourne build and later the Peninsula orchards fed Melbournes Markets leaving behind a legacy of historic coolstores and the timber piers which stretch out into the Bay are much as they were when used for trade.
Sorrento and Mornington were favoured destinations and frequent ports of call for the paddle steamers that plied the Bay in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Visit Mornington and you will find the Briars, an historic homestead which harbours a world renowned collection of Napoleonic artefacts, while at Schnapper Point there is a memorial to Matthew Flinders, who first landed in the area in 1802, at the earliest stage of European Settlement.
To one side of the point is Fossil Beach, so named for the fossils dating back 25 million years which were found there as you can see, our history goes back quite a long way on the Peninsula A great source of information on local history is the Nepean Historical Sociatey Museum pictured below cnr Beach and Melbourne Roads, Sorrento Ph 5984 0255 Open Weekends and public school holiday 1.30-4.30 pm Our Heritage - Pioneers, Parks Propertiestop attractions Peninsula Visitor .
.
.
Summer 2010-201124 One of the Peninsula s earliest original pastoral properties with buildings and gardens dating from the 1840 s Superb views over delightful farmland to native bushland and wetlands Visit the Shire s Eco Living Display See the Homestead and learn about the Balcombe family, the amazing connection with the Emperor Napoleon and how the Briars got its name Explore the Wildlife Reserve search for koalas and kangaroos, and view waterbirds from special hides PARK OPEN 9AM - 5PMNepean Highway Mt Martha Ph 5974 3686 the.briars mornpen.vic.gov.au Mel.
145 D11The Briars Park at Mt Martha is one of the Peninsula s original pastoral properties.
Entry to the park is free and families are welcome to bring a BBQ or picnic.
Visit the Homestead entry fees apply and learn about the Balcombe family s connection with the Emperor Napoleon.
Afterwards, let the kids search for kangaroos koalas at the 76 hectares of wildlife reserve.
It's an area for roo wallaby spotting non-breeding populations of both eastern grey kangaroos and swamp wallabies have made the sea change from Healesville Sanctuary and a breeding population of koalas has been introduced to the vermin-proof reserve.
The visitor's centre records daily sightings, so head to where the last sighting was to spot the wildlife.
If you are looking for something to do during the school holidays, why not join one of the organised activities The Junior Ranger Program is designed for kids aged 6 to 10 is always popular, so book early.
PENINSULA S ORIGINAL PASTORAL PROPERTYHospital 3, within Point Nepean National Park s Quarantine Station opened to the public in December.
It has been a year since the Quarantine Station permanently opened its gates to visitors offering the opportunity to explore the grounds and access parts of the Complex.
Hospital 3 and the adjacent Cook House opening its doors has given park visitors greater access, appreciation and enjoyment of the Quarantine Station and its rich history.
Interpretive displays explain the evolution of the uses and the fabric of the building and its history from 1858 through to today and evidence of the building s previous forms and subsequent alterations are highlighted, as are the differences of passenger class accommodation type and uses between the five original hospital buildings on the site providing a better understanding of the organisation and functions of the Quarantine Station and how the Army subsequently used the site.
In this past year since the opening of the Quarantine Station to the public and its official incorporation into the national park thousands of visitors have explored the grounds and discovered a wealth of history and heritage that had remained largely unknown to the wider community for many years.
If you are looking for something to do with the family this summer, why not enjoy a day out at beautiful Point Nepean pack a picnic, ride the transporter or cycle or walk around the park and make your own discoveries.
MAKE YOUR OWN DISCOVERIESTHINGS TO DO AT POINT NEPEAN Explore the fortifications and tunnels at Fort Nepean.
Take a self-guided tour through the Quarantine Station.
Go for a bike ride or walk through Moonah woodlands.
Try and spot a dolphin in Port Phillip Bay.
Ride the Transporter from the Visitor Centre out to Fort Nepean.
Have a picnic.
...or just marvel at the dramatic coastal landscape where Port Phillip Bay meets Bass Strait.
Propertiestop attractions 201124 One of the Peninsula s earliest original pastoral properties with buildings and gardens dating from the 1840 s Superb views over delightful farmland to native bushland and wetlands Visit the Shire s Eco Living Display See the Homestead and learn about the Balcombe family, the amazing connection with the Emperor Napoleon and how the Briars got its name Explore the Wildlife Reserve search for koalas and kangaroos, and view waterbirds from special hides PARK OPEN 9AM - 5PMNepean Highway Mt Martha Ph 5974 3686 the.briars mornpen.vic.gov.community for many years.
If you are looking for something to do with the family this summer, why not enjoy a day out at beautiful Point Nepean pack a picnic, ride the transporter or cycle or walk around the park and make your own discoveries.
TO DO AT POINT NEPEAN Explore the fortifications and tunnels at Fort Nepean.
Take a self-guided tour through the Quarantine Station.
Go for a bike ride or walk through Moonah woodlands.
Try and spot a dolphin in Port Phillip Bay.
Ride the Transporter from the Visitor Centre out to Fort Nepean.
Have a picnic.
...or just marvel at the dramatic coastal landscape where Port Phillip Bay meets Bass Strait.
mornington peninsula visitors guide