Point Cook Coastal Park
One of Melbourne's original 'metropolitan parks', the 447ha Point Cook Coastal Park is of heritage, conservation and recreation significance. It adjoins the 420 ha Cheetham Wetlands to the north, and offshore the 290 ha Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary, declared in 2002. The actual point was named after John M Cooke, the mate of HMS 'Rattlesnake' commanded by Captain William Hobson that charted Port Phillip Bay in 1836. 'Cooke' is the correct original spelling - the 'e' was lost in the 1850s, but has been retained for the marine sanctuary.
Park historyThis is Boonwurrung, Bunurong and Wurundjeri country, and there are significant scatter sites. |
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European pastoral occupation commenced in the 1840s and the land was held by the successful Chirnside family from 1852 until 1920.
Three main colonial heritage buildings are the bluestone homestead (c.1857), an adjacent weatherboard cottage, part of which may pre-date the homestead, and impressive bluestone stables (c.1860s).
There are also remains of an old jetty (c.1920s).
The park itself was set up by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works in the days of Victorian Premier Sir Rupert Hamer.
At the time the Board of Works' motto was 'Making Melbourne a better place to live'.
Swans at Point Cook Coastal Park. Photo Parks Victoria |
Orange-bellied Parrot. Photo: Roger Smith |
Flora and fauna
The park is part of the Port Phillip Bay Ramsar Wetlands, of international importance particularly for migratory waders.
A sandy spit, basalt reefs, mud and sand flats, and offshore sand banks are ideal bird habitat. The rare Orange-bellied Parrot has been seen in saltmarsh areas here.
Grasslands and low coastal dunes have residual indigenous vegetation, especially Wallaby Grass. The grasslands are managed through mowing, burning and some sheep grazing to encourage the growth of Wallaby Grass.
Reptiles include Tiger and Eastern Brown Snakes.
Rainfall has declined from around 500mm to 300mm a year, resulting in the drying out of freshwater areas including Spectacle Lake with its bird hide, and the wetlands of 'Wetlands Walk' near the homestead.
Unfortunately fox and rabbit control is an ongoing issue in the park, as are weeds such as Boxthorn, Carbet Weed, Chilean Needle-grass, Serrated Tussock and Mustard Weed.
The park has a policy of cultural heritage replacement of old cypress and pines.
Visiting the park
The first section of the park opened to the public was the beach recreation area in 1982.
This is now a well vegetated, sheltered picnic area with good facilities, including toilets, gas BBQs and a playground, popular with families.
The beach often has washed-up seaweed but is good for paddling.
From the picnic area it is a 1.5km walk along the narrow beach, or along a management track in the swale between low sand dunes, to the homestead area, from where it is about 750m to a lookout over the actual Point Cook.
From the Homestead it is about a 2km walk to 'The Tower - a Monument to Migration and Aspirations', inspired by bird and human migration, overlooking the Cheetham Wetlands.
Bird watching is a popular activity, particularly from the two carparks overlooking the reflective RAAF salt-water lake, adjacent to the shore in the vicinity of the Homestead, and from The Tower. There are views of the city skyline across the bay.
The Homestead precinct is leased to the operator of the café, originally a garage and later the park's works depot. The spacious licensed café and homestead can be hired for functions, and the weatherboard cottage operates as the 'Fishermans Quarters' B&B.
Dogs, fires and fishing are prohibited in the park.
Note: These park notes are an edited version of an article written by Geoff Durham for Park Watch, the VNPA's quarterly magazine.
For a detailed map and current visitor information, visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au or phone Parks Victoria on 13 1963. |
