A whisper of history brushes against your skin. Welcome to Woodlands Historic Park.
This isn’t just a park. It’s a living timeline. A testament to the passage of time. The land whispers stories of Aboriginal people the Wurundjeri who lived here long before European settlement. Scarred trees stand as silent witnesses to their presence.
Imagine William Pomeroy Greene a former Royal Navy officer. He arrived from Ireland in 1843. He sought a healthier climate for his family. He moved into the newly built Woodlands Homestead. This remarkable prefabricated house a rare example of early kit-homes was designed in Britain. It was possibly intended for export to India. It stands as a symbol of early colonial life. Its restoration in 1983 and 1984 revealed its beauty. The magnolias around it are the oldest recorded garden plants in Victoria.
Woodlands Historic Park is more than just a house. It’s 700 hectares of sprawling beauty. Explore the 1.5 km Moonee Ponds Creek Nature Walk. Discover the granite boulders on Gellibrand Hill. Enjoy panoramic views from its summit 204 meters high.
The ‘Back Paddock’ a 400-hectare nature reserve fenced in 1987 protects native wildlife. It’s a haven for kangaroos echidnas skinks and Eastern Blue-tongue lizards. Most importantly it’s home to a thriving colony of endangered Eastern Barred Bandicoots. Their presence here plays a crucial role in their survival.
The park showcases a diverse landscape. Grasslands herbs and tussocks dominate the basalt plains. River Red Gums provide shade. The higher areas boast a unique mix of gums and Drooping Sheoke.
Woodlands Homestead remains open seven days a week. Enjoy a picnic amidst the magnificent River Red Gums at the Somerton Road picnic area. Take advantage of the electric barbecues picnic tables and restrooms.
Beyond the Homestead explore the ruins of two other 19th-century homesteads Cumberland and Dun Donald. Attend a dramatized performance of the Homestead’s history. These performances are held on Saturday evenings by the Friends of Woodlands Historic Park.
Woodlands Historic Park isn’t just about the past. It’s about the present and the future. It’s a place where history nature and conservation intertwine. A place where you can connect with the past while celebrating the beauty of the natural world. It’s a place you won’t soon forget.