The Homestead is open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11am–3pm.
Follow Coolart’s pathways and you’ll discover the original kitchen garden and orchard, along with historic outbuildings including the Buttery, Barracks, Stables and Shearing Shed.
Coolart remained a working property until the 1970s, and its buildings and grounds offer a fascinating glimpse into the people who lived and worked here.
Built in the late 19th century, Coolart Homestead is an impressive Victorian mansion overlooking the formal gardens.
Designed by Melbourne architects Reed, Smart & Tappin for Frederick Sheppard Grimwade, who purchased the estate in 1895, the Homestead is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
Nestled within Coolart’s heritage gardens, the Rose Garden is being brought back to life.
First established in its present form in 1938, the garden is now undergoing a careful restoration that respects its history while preparing it for the future.
Parks Victoria Ranger Horticulturalist Eileen Rowe and Friends of Coolart are working together to rejuvenate the garden, retaining significant old roses and introducing carefully selected new varieties.
Evidence of a rose garden at Coolart dates back to the Grimwade era (1895–1907), when a circular garden stood near the present site.
The Rose Garden we see today was established by Gertrude and Thomas Luxton in 1938. David Mathews, curator of Footscray Gardens, was engaged to design Coolart’s formal gardens, including the Rose Garden.
After an extensive renovation in 2002, the garden gradually fell into decline, affected by ageing cypress trees, poor water pressure and damage from rabbits and wallabies. Its current restoration is the next chapter in a garden that has been part of Coolart for generations.
The restoration will bring new life to the garden while respecting its history and character. Garden beds are being renewed, irrigation improved and old stone arbours repaired, with a heritage-style fence planned to help protect the new planting.
New roses will be introduced gradually, alongside companion plants including lavender, seaside daisies and dogbane. Where possible, Coolart’s oldest roses will be retained for their history and character.
The project is being carried out with sustainability in mind, using organic compost and mulch to encourage healthy growth.
With careful restoration and ongoing care, the aim is simple: to see Coolart’s Rose Garden flourishing once again.
The restoration is already well underway. Old cypress trees have been removed, water pressure improved and new planting introduced, bringing fresh life back to the garden.
Much of the work is being done by volunteers. The Garden Party working bees provide the people-power for planting, pruning, mulching and caring for the garden, while new plants are also being propagated from some of Coolart’s existing bushes.
It’s a gradual process, but one visitors can watch unfold. As old roses are preserved, new varieties introduced and the garden beds restored, the Rose Garden is beginning to bloom again.
To help protect the native wildlife and wetlands, dogs are not permitted at Coolart under Parks Victoria regulations. We appreciate your understanding.
We acknowledge the Bunurong People as the traditional custodians of Coolart lands and we pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and future.
Coolart Wetlands and Homestead
40 Lord Somers Rd, Somers VIC 3927
Open 7 days 9am–5pm
Wednesday 11am–3pm
Saturday 11am–3pm
Sunday 11am–3pm
