Arthurs Seat State Park
Blog
An Overview
We recognise Arthurs Seat is a State Park and does not meet the criteria for our RUN THE PARKS Challenge. But we have chosen to include it as a `bonus` park as it`s in our back garden and we just love its trails.
Arthurs Seat State Park is located on the Mornington Peninsula approximately 90 kms and a 1 hour drive south of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
It is a prominent feature of the landscape rising just over 300m above the Mornington Peninsula providing spectacular views of the Mornington and Bellarine Peninsula’s, Port Phillip Bay and Melbourne skyline on a clear day from the summit and Seawinds Gardens; a 34 hectare area that encompasses indigenous and exotic formal gardens and a collection of William Ricketts sculptures. It is also home to the Matthew Flinders Cairn.
Dogs and other animals are not permitted.
Interesting information
- Arthurs Seat is named for its resemblance to Arthur’s Seat (an extinct volcano) in Edinburgh by Lieutenant John Murray as he entered Port Phillip Bay in 1802.
- William Ricketts (1898-1993) was an Australian potter and sculptor whose works portrayed his vision of modern Australia that embraces Aboriginal spirituality and respect for the natural world, thanks Wikipedia
- The Matthew Flinders Cairn marks the spot where it is reported Captain Flinders, as the first European, climbed Arthurs Seat on 27th April 1802
- According to Parks Victoria the park is home to several species of regional importance including the brown bandicoot, koala, tree goanna, southern emu-wren and wedge-tailed eagle
- OT Dam is reported to have been constructed in 1934 by the OT Cordial Company (later known as Kia Ora Cordials) for irrigation purposes, before the business closed in the 1940’s.
- The original Arthurs Seat chairlift was closed in 2016. It was built in 1960 by Czech-born engineer Dr Vladimir Hajek and was the oldest and longest in Victoria; at 950m long with 74 two-seat chairs
Walking Tracks
Two Bays Walking Track
A 26km track from Dromana to Bushrangers Bay near Cape Schanck.
Arthurs Seat Circuit Walk
A 1.8km circuit walk incorporating the main interest points of the summit.
TC McKellar Circuit Walk
A 1km loop track from the Seawinds Gardens information shelter.
Kings Falls Circuit Walk
A 1km walk beginning on Waterfall Gully Road
Lookout Hill Circuit Walk
A 1km walk starting at the end of Eatons Cutting Road
OT Dam Circuit Walk
A 3km circuit walk beginning on Arthurs Seat Road to loop the dam.
For more information about Arthurs Seat State Park see Parks Victoria
Seagulls on the Run acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work, live and play.
We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
