The Briars Historic Park 

A major attraction on the Mornington Peninsula is The Briars Park. The Park is a beautiful example of 'Cultural Landscape', with a long history of Aboriginal occupation, followed by European occupation of one of the first pastoral 'runs' on the Mornington Peninsula, represented today by a complex of heritage listed farm buildings and gardens.

The Briars 1840s Homestead houses a world renowned collection of Napoleonic memorabilia, established by Dame Mabel Brookes to mark the relationship between her Grandfather William Balcombe and the Emperor Napoleon during the latter's exile on St Helena. While the original farm has been retained, 96 hectares was never cleared and now forms an important Wildlife Reserve, protected by a vermin proof fence.

Open woodland of manna gum and peppermint is being restocked with kangaroos and wallabies to join the resident koalas, which may be seen from the Woodland Walk. Waterbirds can be viewed from the bird observation hides overlooking extensive wetlands.

Further Information

The Briars Park is the Shire's foremost property, embodying all that is special about the Mornington Peninsula's cultural landscape. Long known as 'Chechingurk' to the Bunurong aborigines, it was settled in 1840 by Captain James Reid.