The Coolart Homestead is a beautiful example of late Victorian architecture, dating from 1895. The Homestead is open to the public, and includes a display of historic photographs, letters and drawings. The surrounding formal gardens and lawns feature native and exotic plants, perfect for a stroll or a picnic.

The historic house and gardens at Coolart Wetlands and Homestead are an easy day trip from Melbourne, with lots of activities for the whole family. Wander through the historic Homestead, built by Frederick Sheppard Grimwade in 1895, observing the Grimwade photograph collection and imagine what life would have been like when Coolart was a farm estate.

Coolart was once a family home, but now it’s a home for nature that everyone can enjoy. The late Tom Luxton purchased Coolart in 1937 and immediately had the property declared a sanctuary for native wildlife. In 1938 the then curator of the Footscray Gardens, David Matthews, redesigned the garden for Coolart, this is the design enjoyed by visitors at Coolart today. Stroll around the formal gardens with its trellises and flowers, wooden benches, decorative water features and wide, green lawns perfect for picnicking. The gardens have many native and exotic plants, including the Gingko from China and the majestic Blue Atlas Cedar from Algeria and Morocco. Coolart was bought by the Victorian government in 1977, in recognition of its historic buildings and significant wetlands.

The farmyard outbuildings are even older than the Homestead, originating from the early days of settlement when Coolart was farming and grazing land. One of Coolart’s oldest buildings is the 'Barracks', built in the 1860’s. This building, along with the Buttery, Meat House and part of the Stables, were built of hand-made bricks. The century-old machinery shed in the farmyard also houses some heritage farming equipment.