Nungurner - Nyerimilang Heritage Park
Nyerimilang Homestead is set among semi-formal gardens on a cliff top above the beautiful Gippsland Lakes. Perfect picnic spots are surrounded by garden and scenic walks meander along bush and farm tracks, past Kurrajong trees, wetland areas and through the East Gippsland Indigenous Plant Garden.
Pack a picnic
Nyerimilang Heritage Park is indeed a memorable location. Picnic tables surround the homestead with easily accessible walking tracks. Electric and wood barbeques are available for visitor use. The park has toilets, with facilities in the homestead for people with limited mobility. Souvenirs and tourist information is available from the Friends of Nyerimilang shop at the park entrance.
A haven for plants and animals
The semi-formal gardens and lawns surrounding the homestead contain an interesting collection of exotic and native species. Majestic Gippsland Blue Gums and Coast Grey Box on the cliff tops contrast with marshland in the valley of Maringa Creek. Nyerimilang attracts many species of birds including honeyeaters, black swans, pelicans and birds of prey. There are three bird hides in the park.
History
The land that is now Nyerimilang Heritage Park was first owned by Mr Murray in 1884. He later transferred it to Frank Stuart of Melbourne who built a home as a base for fishing and shooting holidays at the Gippsland Lakes. During the early 1920's his son Frank Jnr extended the house, developed the surrounding gardens and lived here in style, complete with housemaids and gardener.
When Frank Stuart Jnr died in 1936 his widow gave the property to the Anglican Diocese of Gippsland for use as a Boys Training Farm.
William Buckland, 'the quiet millionaire' bought Nyerimilang in the 1940's and occasionally used it as a holiday home. After he died in 1964, the property was purchased by Jack Ramsdell who used it as a cattle stud. Nyerimilang was purchased by the Victorian Government in 1976.
A display featuring the history of Nyerimilang and the natural resources and history of the Gippsland Lakes is located inside the homestead. A collection of reference material for further study is available in the homestead library which is usually open every Wednesday. Please phone the Nyerimilang Homestead to confirm the Library is open prior to your visit.
Enjoying the East Gippsland Garden
An information shelter in the garden contains seven murals portraying plant communities of East Gippsland. The garden has been developed by the Friends of Nyerimilang and the Australian Plant Society (Bairnsdale Group) in conjunction with Parks Victoria.
Walks around Nyerimilang
Whistling Kite Track (0.75 km - 10 mins one way)
After a grassland walk, the track passes through various forest types. The Whistling Kite, a large brown hawk, nests in the tall Blue Gums that surround this short walk.
Homestead Track (1.1 km - 25 mins one way)
The original entrance to Nyerimilang Homestead was via this track from Maringa Creek crossing. Leaving the homestead, the track gently descends through moist gully vegetation to swamp, then salt marsh.
Cliff Top Walk (1.7 km - 30 mins one way)
The meandering, mostly level track affords the visitor panoramic views of the nearby lake system and Bass Strait beyond.
Kurrajong Track (0.75 km - 10 mins one way)
This track is a link between Cliff Top and Homestead tracks. The Kurrajong, an evergreen native tree, is most obvious on the northern end of this track.
Salt Marsh Track (1.2 km - 25 mins one way)
The track is from the Kalimna West road to Reeve Channel. The salt marsh environment surrounding the tidal Maringa Creek gives way to the sandy shoreline of the lake system.
Opening Hours:
Parks Victoria do not have a permanent Ranger at the park.
Whilst the park itself is always open for visitors to enjoy, opening of the homestead and the Friends shop is left entirely up to volunteers. They try to be present as many days as they can but this is not always possible.
When open, the homestead can be visited between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. To avoid disappointment please call 5156 3253 to see if anyone is on duty.
Cost:
There is no entry charge to visit the park.
Access for Dogs:
Please keep your dog on a leash at all times. Dogs are welcome in the garden surrounding the homestead, but are not permitted in bushland areas.
Finding your way
Princes Highway via the Kalimna West Road. There are plenty of road signs along the way. Nyerimilang is just 10km by road north-west of Lakes Entrance.
Note: Photos from Parks Victoria
Location
Nungurner Road, Nungurner 3909 Map
✆ (03) 5156 3253
Email Enquiry
Web Links
→ Nyerimilang Park (Parks Victoria)
→ Nyerimilang Heritage Park - Park note (PDF)
→ Nyerimilang - Tranquility on the chain of Lakes
→ nyerimilang.com.au/
