History of Coolart

Coolart has lived many lives — a working farm, a grand coastal retreat, a thoroughbred stud and, since the 1970s, a heritage estate for everyone to enjoy.

Frederick Sheppard Grimwade purchased Coolart in 1895 and commissioned the Homestead the following year as the centrepiece of his country estate and stud farm.

In 1937, Coolart was declared a Sanctuary for Native Game through an Act of Parliament. Its owner, Tom Luxton, had a deep interest in birdlife, and his foresight helped preserve the wetlands that remain an important habitat today.

In 1977, the Luxton family sold 87 acres of the estate to the Victorian Government, preserving the heart of Coolart for future generations.

Families of Coolart

The Coolart story is the story of the families who lived here.

Photographs, portraits and memorabilia throughout the Homestead offer glimpses into their lives — from the Grimwade family, who created the grand country estate in the late 19th century, to the Luxtons, who made Coolart their family home for 40 years, until 1977.

Despite its grand appearance, Coolart was very much a home — not only to its owners, but to the people who lived and worked alongside them, running the house, farm and estate.

These are the families.

The Grimwade Family

Frederick Sheppard Grimwade purchased 2,000 acres at Coolart in 1895, creating a country estate and stud farm. He commissioned the Victorian mansion that became Coolart Homestead, completed in 1896.

The Grimwade family used Coolart as a coastal retreat, often arriving by boat. In 1907, the estate was sold to grazier Thomas Shaw Armstrong.

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The Luxton Family

Thomas Luxton purchased Coolart from John Feehan in 1937, beginning the longest period of single-family ownership in the estate’s history.

The Luxtons made significant improvements to the house and grounds. Tom Luxton’s interest in birdlife also led him to lobby successfully for Coolart to be declared a Sanctuary for Native Game in 1937.

Coolart was very much a family home. The Luxtons set off on long-distance road trips from here in the 1940s and, later, Peter Luxton built a private airstrip for the family’s long-distance flights.

In 1977, the family sold 87 acres to the Victorian Government, preserving the core of the estate in public ownership.