Nepean Historical Society Museum

Cnr Ocean Beach Road & Melbourne Road, Sorrento
Phone (03) 5984 0255 Fax (03) 5984 0935
E-mail nepeanhs@satlink.com.au
Open Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday 1.30pm - 4.30pm

First Settlement Site

Point Nepean Road, Sorrento
(03) 5984 1080
Open Sun 1 - 4.30pm April to Oct; w'ends 1 - 4pm
Nov to March; daily 1.30 - 4pm during school and
public holidays.

Sorrento is the site of the first European settlement in Victoria. Lt Collins established a camp of 300 civilians and soldiers at Camerons Bight during 1802 -1803 before abandonment through a lack of fresh water.
This clifftop museum and settlers graves recalls the daily life in the settlement.

Former Quarantine Station

School of Army Health, Point Nepean, Portsea
(03) 5984 9222
Guided tours 2pm Saturday,Sunday and public holidays.

This foreboding building on the bay shore of Point Nepean served as Victoria's first guard against infectious diseases from foreign shores from the
mid 1800s.
Guided tours reveal many fascinating incidents involved in the operation of this vital service.
Bookings essential

Point Nepean Fortifications

Point Nepean Road, Portsea
(03) 5984 4276
Open Daily

Until 1988 Point Nepean was one of Australia's most secretive military defence outposts.
Now a spectacular part of the Mornington Peninsula National Park, the labyrinth of tunnels, lookouts, turrets and forts built from the 1880's can be explored through a series of excellent displays and audio soundtracks.
Guests are free to wander at their leisure through the fortifications and above the wild ocean beaches overlooking Port Phillip Heads.
Bookings Essential

This icon of the Victorian coastline has been winking out its message to Bass Strait shipping since 1857.
Perched atop rugged Cape Schanck in the Mornington Peninsula National Park; the lightower, outbuildings, keepers cottages and museum can now be inspected on guided tours.

Lime burning for the Melbourne building trade dates from 1840 on the Peninsula; first around Portsea, then along the coast to Rye and Tootgarook.
By the 1860s most of the good lime deposits were gone, but this recreated kiln exists as a reminder of the early industry.

Coolart was one of the Peninsula's most prosperous properties during the 19th and early 20th century, reaching the height of it's success during the Grimwade era of 1885 - 1907, when the 1885 redbrick mansion was built and the exotic plantings in the English style garden were made.
From 1937 its significance as a bird habitat was recognised, and today its 15 hectares of wetland and three hides make it one of the most important bird sanctuaries in the nation.
Now owned and operated by the State Government.

First settled by Europeans in 1840, The Briars incorporates the 1850s homestead (with its acclaimed Napoleonic collection) and surrounding 8 hectares of lawns, gardens and trees owned jointly by the National Trust and Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.
Enjoy meals or refreshments in the historic stables, watch birds from the wetland (hide) or take a stroll on well defined trails through splendid woodland.

The magnificent bluestone homestead was built in 1871 on the slopes of the Arthurs Seat range, overlooking Port Phillip Bay.
The surrounding spectacular cottage gardens in eight separate sections have been established on the original 1870s plantings and feature annuals and perennials which are at their best between October and April.

The American styled house was the home of the late
Sir Daryl Lindsay and his author wife Joan Lindsay
(Picnic at Hanging Rock). It was bequeathed to the National Trust on Lady Joans death in 1984 and it is displayed just as she left it, including paintings, books and memorabilia.