Coolart Homestead, Wetlands and the Somers Koala Reserve. Loop - Grade 2 (Easy)

The Bunarong Bushwalking Club invites you to join them on the Coolart Homestead, Wetlands and Somers Koala Reserve Loop. This walk is part of the Try Bushwalking Month, celebrating the 90th Anniversary of Bushwalking Victoria, the peak body representing 60+ bushwalking clubs across Victoria.

This is a lovely quiet walk through the Coolart Wetlands & Homestead and the Somers Koala Reserve, located on the south eastern shores of Mornington Peninsula. Enjoy hiking through the coastal woodland and wetlands area with protected native fauna. The trail is relatively flat with shade, making for an enjoyable stroll. A favourite with birdwatchers, with several bird hides along the way. The walk also includes a short section on Somers beach (firm sand). It takes approximately 3.5hours to complete. End with coffee and cake at a local café.

This is typical of one of our Wednesday walks, a pleasant social get together, leisurely stroll to suit the differing capabilities and preferences of members.

DISTANCE:  10.0km Loop walk that will take 3.5hours (including morning tea, lunch and stops)

WHO IS THIS WALK FOR? For beginners wanting to try simple guided track walking and walkers wanting a leisurely stroll, both requiring a reasonable level of fitness to be able to complete 10km.

CHILDREN AND PETS:  This walk is for adults 18 years and over, and due to the nature of the walk, we ask you to leave dogs and other pets at home.  Please contact the club directly to inquire about service animals, and any family or pet friendly walks.  

AWT Grade 2: EASY. No bushwalking experience required. The track is hardened or compacted surface and may have a gentle hill section or occasional ramps. AWT Grade information. 

PACE: Slow and steady, stopping to enjoy the bird hides, flora and fauna and koalas (if lucky!), with a leisurely lunch stop and a sociable coffee to conclude.

TOTAL ASCENT: Undulating-smoothly rising and falling track with some wooden bridges and ramps. (Close to sea level).

WALK DESCRIPTION: Starting at the Coolart visitor centre, we will visit the Luxton Lagoon Bird Hide, Coolart Wetlands and the beautiful gardens on our way to Coolart Homestead for morning tea.   After morning tea we head to the beach, after crossing the Merricks Creek bridge. A short beach walk, on firm sand, to Somers Beach picnic area, then onto the Koala Reserve. Hopefully for lunch with the Koala’s. Return on gravel roads back to Coolart Homestead car park via the Coolart Entry road.

MEETING POINT: Meet at the Coolart Wetlands and Homestead car park on the Coolart Entry Road off Lord Somers road Somers by 9:00am for a 9:30am start. Meet the group under the “Welcome to Coolart Wetlands and Homestead” sign by the visitors centre.

DIRECTIONS: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2522HUizzKZTdEr58 All sealed roads, standard car. Take exit 18 from the Mornington Peninsula Freeway/M11 for C782 towards Mornington/Tyabb/Hastings. Take the third exit (Right) at the first roundabout on to C785/Coolart Road. Continue South to Frankston-Flinders Road (through three roundabouts), turn Right then immediately Left, at the “Dog Leg” to remain on Coolart Road (approximately 14km) continue on until Sandy Point Road. Turn Left then take the first Right onto Lord Somers Road continue through the roundabout to the Coolart Entry Road on your Right. Follow the Coolart Entry Road down to the car park. You have arrived at your destination.

CARPOOLING/PUBLIC TRANSPORT: There is no car pooling or public transport for this walk but our club does encourage carpooling from a location in Seaford for its Walks Program.

PHONE SIGNAL: There is mobile phone signal along the length of this walk.

TOILETS: Toilets are available at the beginning and end of the walk. Two more toilet blocks throughout the walk.

WHAT TO BRING

Mandatory:

• Emergency contact form with medical info (from welcome pack)
• 1.5L water or other suitable drink
• Backpack
• Morning Tea & Lunch
• Rain jacket with hood/rain hat & Warm clothing (weather dependant)
• Hiking shoes/boots
• Personal first aid kit (your health is your responsibility)
• Sun hat/Warm hat/woolen gloves (weather dependant)
• Sunscreen 
• Cash/Credit Card for coffee & cake
• Any other personal requirements

Recommended:

• Hiking poles 
• Insect Spray

LEADERS: Annette Coutts-0400 329 710-contact via SMS and Patrick Duffy.

EXTRA INFORMATION:
The Leader will SMS participants on Monday evening before the walk, “I’m looking forward to meeting you, here is my number if you have any issues on the day”.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RISK:  When registering for this event, we ask that you view and agree to our Acknowledgement of Risk.

ABOUT OUR CLUB: Bunarong Bushwalking Club is a friendly and sociable club based on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. We share a passion for walking through all Victoria’s natural splendor. Walks range from leisurely strolls, on alternate Wednesdays, to more challenging walks every Sunday. The club offers walks of all levels of capability. We finish walks with coffee and cake at a local café. The Walks Program contains four months of walks at a time and we try to have a weekend away each program. Our motto is: Walking Together. Visit our website

PRIVACY:  

Your privacy is important to us. Bushwalking Victoria and its member clubs are committed to safeguarding your personal information and ensuring that your privacy is protected. The personal data we collect from you is used solely for the purpose of facilitating your participation and communicating important details about the event. 

Please note that your contact information will be shared with Activity Leaders for the purpose of organising activities. Your information will not be shared with any external parties without your consent, except where required by law, but may be used for follow-up contact regarding your participation in this event.

You can view the BWV Privacy Policy on our website.

Inclusion in Photographs

We encourage participants to take photographs during activities, which may be shared publicly through various channels such as newspapers, magazines, websites and social media.  If you do not wish to be included in any photographs, it is your responsibility to inform the photographer and take reasonable steps to avoid being captured in the images.