Lord Somers Camp on the Mornington Peninsula - Environmental

Walk back in time to Coolart

The neighbouring property to Lord Somers Camp is the Parks Victoria Coolart Wetlands and Homestead Reserve. During a trip to Coolart you can explore the 1907 Victorian mansion, which has rooms open to the public, and in the grounds there is a dynamic wetland, bird sanctuary, woodlands and gardens. Pathways take visitors to the old buttery and butchery, and to the wetlands observatory where a hide is the perfect vantage point for spotting up to 60 species of birds including ducks, swans, grebes, harriers and spoonbills.

Although this old grazing property is a relatively small park, it is home to:

9 species of frog
13 species of mammals – from the tiny Antechinus to the Swamp Wallaby
11 species of reptile, including tortoises, snakes and lizards
177 species of birds
8 species of fish and 4 crustaceans in the waterways

Bush foods

Showcasing the traditional bush food of Mornington peninsula, your guide will walk you through the local bushland and provide information on how the indigenous people lived and survived on the variety of bush plants and animals. Taste a selection of the bush foods, grind native seeds and enjoy a bbq kangaroo sausage.

Astronomy Session

See the magnificence of the Southern Hemisphere’s night sky with Australia’s most experienced professional Sky Guide. Look through large professional telescopes that allow you to experience the moon, planets, coloured stars, double stars nebulae and major galaxies.

Night Walk

With only the moon and stars to light our way, we venture into the darkness on our night tour. The bush comes alive at night and if we are quiet we will experience the abundance of nocturnal animals. Participation in this activity will promote teamwork and encourage peer-to-peer cooperation, communication and interest in our environment at night.

Bush and Coast Care walk

With walks to suit every age level, your guild will explain the visual examples of our coastal and bush land environments as you make your way through woodlands, wetlands and along coastal tracks. This practical experience will help students understand the importance of our coastal environments and become aware of the dangers of human interference.

Eco-volunteering

Lord Somers camp takes an active role in preserving the natural environment both within the Camp grounds and beyond. We offer a range of participatory activities involving tree-planting, revegetation, weeding, mulching, habitat reconstruction and environmental education including Indigenous and post-European settlement history.