Rippon Lea Estate

Bunurong / Boon Wurrung Country / Melbourne

Rippon Lea is a large 19th century mansion surrounded by 7 hectares of Victorian pleasure gardens.

The mansion, completed in 1868, was built for Frederick Sargood who made his money selling soft-goods on the goldfields.

The house is named after his mother’s maiden-name, Rippon. Lea is an English word for meadow. The property was a large, self-sufficient farm, about twice the size it is now. The mansion was originally 15 rooms; it currently has 33 rooms. Sargood moved in with his first wife, Marian, and their 9 surviving children. There were 7 maids, a butler, 7 gardeners, a coachman and a groom. 

Sargood was a typical man of the Victorian Age – visionary and practical. This resulted in an elaborate underground watering system and the house having its own electricity supply. Unusually for its time, the house had internal toilets. Sargood was a keen gardener who was particularly interested in orchids and ferns. A large number of plants were imported. 

The garden is complex and covers almost 14 acres, which includes a large lake, extensive shrubberies and flower gardens, an orchard of historically significant fruit varieties, a fernery, rose gardens and many other features of historical, landscape and architectural interest, all forming the setting for the polychrome brick mansion. 

There is always something exciting happening at Rippon Lea, from theatre shows to heritage apple sales and family fun days.

Plan your visit

Opening Times

May to August 10:00am-4:00pm

 

September to April 10:00am-5:00pm

 

Mansion Tours

Monday to Friday

11.00am & 2.00pm

Saturday & Sunday

11.00am, 12.00pm & 2.00pm

(Excluding Market Days)

 

Garden Tours

Wednesday

11:30am & 1.00pm

 

Bird Spotting Tours

Wednesday

10.00am & 1.00pm

 

Last entry to the property is 30 minutes before closing time.

Admission

Garden Entry:

Adult: $15

Concession: $12

Child: $9 (3 – 15 years)

Family: $40 (2A + 2C)

 

City of Glen Eira and Port Phillip residents have free access to the gardens at Rippon Lea Estate with a valid Garden Entry card.

National Trust Members receive FREE general entry

 

Mansion & Garden Tours: Requires admission fee + tour

Adult: $10

Concession: $8

Child: $5

Family: $25 (2A + 2C)

City of Glen Eira and City of Port Philip cardholders: $5 per person

FREE for National Trust Members

 

Bird Spotting Tours

Adult: $22

Concession: $12

Child: $10

Port Philip/Glen Eira residents: $10

National Trust Members: $10

 

*Booking fees apply for online purchases

Location

192 Hotham Street, Elsternwick VIC 3185

Bunurong / Boon Wurrung Country

Closed:
Christmas Day

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