Discover Coleraine: Nature, History and Activities

Coleraine combines scenic experiences with traces of local history and a range of opportunities to get active. A reserve on a slope, nearby waterfalls, trails along former transport routes and a golf course each offer a different focus. Culture enthusiasts will also find specific points of interest, from the Eucalyptus Discovery Centre to a mural featuring historical figures.

Scenery and waterfalls

Queen’s Park lies north of Coleraine. This 90-acre reserve is set on a rising slope. Its hillside location and size give the green space a distinctive landscape character. If you’re planning to make nature an important part of your stay, this is one reason to get to know Coleraine.

Wannon Falls and Nigretta Falls are also near Coleraine. Wannon Falls was formed by volcanic processes and features a 30-metre vertical drop. At Nigretta Falls, a staircase leads down for a closer view of the waterfalls. The two sites have distinct natural features: Wannon Falls is described in terms of its formation and height, while Nigretta Falls is notable for its stairway access. Waterfalls are a destination in their own right for travellers who want to spend time enjoying the surrounding landscape as well as the attractions in town.

Culture and local history

The Eucalyptus Discovery Centre is an interpretive and resource centre for the Peter Francis Points Arboretum. Its connection to the arboretum makes it a suitable point of interest for visitors curious about trees and how they are presented to the public. The former Coleraine Courthouse houses the Coleraine Historical Society. Another glimpse of the past is offered by the Post Office Mural, which depicts the original post office from 1874, including its veranda, gardens and historical figures. Together, a building with a historical function and an artistic depiction of the former post office offer different ways to explore Coleraine’s history.

The Coleraine Visitor Information Centre is also located in a restored former railway station. A former station is therefore part of the architectural history found at named sites around Coleraine.

Trails and activities

The Bryan Creek Walking Track is three kilometres long and runs alongside Bryan Creek through native trees and landscapes. The Coleraine–Hamilton Rail Trail, by contrast, follows a former railway line and is used by walkers, runners and cyclists. The two trails offer different ways to get outdoors: one is described as a three-kilometre track, while the other is defined by its former rail corridor and range of uses. If you’d like to include some activity in your stay, you can take these differences into account when planning your trip without treating the trails as interchangeable.

Coleraine Golf Club offers a well-defined activity: its 18-hole course features undulating fairways, mature trees and traditional sand greens. For golf enthusiasts, both the size of the course and its described features are useful points to consider.

Planning for different interests

Coleraine Skate Park combines ramps, bowls and rails with a playground, tennis courts and fitness equipment. Coleraine Memorial Swimming Pool offers seasonal swimming. These facilities add more types of activity to your travel plans: skate features, play and sports, as well as swimming during a particular season. If you’re looking for a holiday rental in Coleraine, your preferred focus for the stay can be a helpful starting point—whether that’s nature and trails, local history, golf or seasonal swimming. The experiences described offer different reasons to shape your stay around the interests of your travel group.

Find more destinations in Elsternwick, Jumbunna, Mccrae, Woodend, Fingal, Winton North, Creswick and Lancefield.

For the broader travel guide: Victoria.