TRACKS, TRAILS AND COASTS NEAR MELBOURNE : Point Nepean National Park -- Quarantine Precinct - Cemetery

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Point Nepean National Park -- Quarantine Precinct - Cemetery - Gunner's Cottage

Ti-Tree Scrub, near the Cemetery, viewed from Observatory Track

With a friend, these photos were from a short visit on January 22, 2020

Point Nepean marks the southern point of The Rip (the entrance to Port Phillip and the most westerly point of the Mornington Peninsula. It was named in 1802 after the British politician and colonial administrator Sir Evan Nepean by John Murray in HMS Lady Nelson. Its coast and adjacent waters are included in the Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park, while its land area is part of the Point Nepean National Park. The point includes Cheviot Beach on its southern side, which was the site of both the wreck of the SS Cheviot in 1887 and the disappearance of Harold Holt in 1967.

The Information Centre is within the former Quarantine area, about 200 m walk from the main car park. Nearby is the croquet field, sporting area, a Coffee Stall, the Museum, bike hire, Shuttle Bus waiting room, information boards, historical cairn, and various historical structures, and Gunner's Cottage..

The main Car Park is the last point to which private vehicles and buses can travel. It provides access to Coles Walking Track, Walter Piskerman's Heritage Walking Track (Observatory Point), Defence Rd (walking, riding, shuttle bus). It's 3.5 km from the centre of Portsea township.

The Information Centre is within the former Quarantine area, adjacent to the croquet field, a Coffee Stall, the Museum, bike hire, Shuttle Bus waiting room, information boards, historical cairn, and various historical structures, and Gunner's Cottage..

The Observatory Point walking track (500 m) runs past the Cemetery, from the Gunner's Cottage car park and illustrated information boards describe the history of the area.

Gunners Cottage is the original Master Gunners house. Little is known about its history, apart from the fact it housed many military personnel and their families, and, it is understood that it once stood near Fort Pearce and had been relocated to its current position sometime during the latter half of last century. It’s original location would suggest it’s build date could be within the same era as ‘Fort Pearce’

Visitors are reminded to carry and use insect repellant!

See Point Nepean (Wikipedia) for comprehensive information about the area's history.