Rippon Lea is
the one of the last privately owned great 19th century suburban
estates and one of the finest National Trust properties in Australia.
Designed and built in 1868 in the Romanesque style, the mansion
sits as the centre piece of an original Victorian pleasure garden.
The gardens are of international significance and include a grand
Victorian fernery, a lake, an heritage orchard and a 19th century
conservatory. The mansion is a mix of Victorian decoration from
its first owners with the glamorous 1930's "Hollywood"
influences of its last owner.
Rippon Lea is
a wonderful place to spend a quiet morning, or an afternoon, and
a picnic beside the lake is the best way to enjoy this marvellous
estate. Inside the grounds, you quickly forget that you are in a
city of more than 3 million people.
Rippon Lea
is situated at 192 Hotham Street, Elsternwick, about 20 minutes
drive from the city. The easiest way to get there is to take a
train to Rippon Lea Station and walk east to Hotham Street, then
south to the estate. It is open daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm but is closed
Good Fridays and Christmas Day.
