Rippon Lea Estate
Rippon Lea Estate things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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Rippon Lea is one of those grand old English houses with sculptured gardens that dot Melbourne and it is an ideal place for a picnic on a sunny day. And if you're a resident of Glen Eira or Port Phillip, you have garden access for free (though making a donation is appreciated). The gardens are interesting enough for about an hours amble, though note that not all the areas are wheelchair accessible. The landscape is textured and there are areas with quite different styles, though the theme is generally English countryside. With quite heavy rain this week, some of the paths had flooded and were closed off, but there was always an alternative and it did not detract from the enjoyment. Given the lake, pool, and lots of spaces for them to hide, the gardens cannot be considered 'kid safe' in the sense that you could just let younger children roam free and easily watch them all the time. Apart from the large lawn, where many toddlers and slightly older siblings were rushing about, enjoying the grass. Being in the middle of the suburbs, traffic, trains (the Brighton line runs close past a boundary), and planes are a constant background noise, but it is generally a hum rather than an intrusion. Rippon Lea has toilet facilities but no onsite parking and street parking on a nice day is hit and miss. Ripponlea station is less than a ten minute walk and the 603 bus stops at the door. The nearest tram is the 67 route and the Coleridge St/Brighton Rd stop is less than a ten minute walk as well. Take a rug, take a book, take a picnic...Rippon Lea is one of those historical gems that elevates a sunny day lazing on the lawn into the best feeling in the world.
Melbourne GuyMelbourne Guy
20
Rippon Lea Estate is a historic and enchanting destination. This grand mansion and its surrounding gardens offer a captivating glimpse into the past and provide a unique experience for visitors. The centerpiece of Rippon Lea Estate is the stunning Victorian-era mansion, which showcases exquisite architecture and opulent interiors. Exploring the rooms and hallways of this well-preserved estate allows visitors to step back in time and immerse themselves in the elegance and charm of the Victorian era. The meticulously manicured gardens surrounding the mansion are a true delight for nature enthusiasts. With their vibrant flowers, tranquil ponds, and winding pathways, the gardens offer a serene and picturesque setting for leisurely walks or picnics. In addition to its architectural and natural beauty, Rippon Lea Estate hosts a variety of events and exhibitions throughout the year. These events provide an opportunity to further immerse oneself in the rich history and culture of the estate. Overall, Rippon Lea Estate is a captivating destination that combines history, nature, and cultural experiences. Whether you're interested in exploring the mansion, strolling through the gardens, or attending one of the estate's events, a visit to Rippon Lea Estate is sure to leave you with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for its rich heritage.
Alexandros KarvounisAlexandros Karvounis
00
I visited Rippon Lea Estate for my birthday and had a lovely picnic in the park with my partner. We went on a sunny weekday during the school holidays, so most of the other visitors were young children and families. We set up by the lake, across from a children’s show, and enjoyed a peaceful morning. There was plenty of wildlife around, and we watched the park animals come and go throughout our picnic. Many people were wandering through, birdwatching, and there were a couple of school holiday groups passing by, clearly having a great time. After our picnic, we took a stroll around the grounds. We didn’t go into the mansion or book a tour, as we were happy just exploring the gardens. It’s clear the park is well managed and maintained, with manicured paths winding through the gardens. It’s a relatively small area, so you can do a loop fairly quickly if you like, but we took our time and enjoyed the leisurely pace. You could easily spend a few hours here, and with plenty of school holiday shows on, there’s always the option to catch one of those as well. I definitely recommend visiting this beautiful garden and enjoying a picnic on the grounds—it’s a great spot!
Ashlee JaydeAshlee Jayde
00
Lovely Estate , I totally enjoyed the gardens and the tour of the Mansion. I am underwhelmed by the upkeep of the wedding halls … they could look much better to attract higher revenues. Everything in there looks drab (flaking, cracking, dirty, dusty) when it could be fab. I thought that was a venue for High-end weddings . Not sure if the events company is theirs or outsourced but they are pretty tired, too . If no other events company has access then clients won’t pay top $$ hence no funds. It all comes down to management and this management is a bit woke . The welcome to country acknowledgement in the foyer of a British building was super awkward … we were there to enjoy a bit of European culture without being reminded of the British Imperialism. Otherwise the guide was lovely and very passionate… This visit was interesting I just wish things looked better .. it is sad to see that management priorities are upside down ( virtue signalling instead of actually taking care of the place )
D.P YD.P Y
00
$15 weekday entry fee gives you access to acres of beautiful gardens, a small ornamental lake, a majestic fernery, huge trees and perfect lawns in the grounds of this National Trust historic home. It it is a wonderful oasis in the middle of busy and densely populated Elsternwick. We had a glorious spring day and took a mid-week picnic lunch to enjoy the serenity with a family member in a wheelchair. The ticket entry includes a map identifying the most wheelchair friendly paths. While the grounds of the estate are fairly flat some of the wheelchair friendly paths were a bit tricky to navigate as there was some unevenness, tree routes and loose gravel so some wheelchair uses may not be able to visit everywhere. There were only a small handful of other visitors so it almost felt like we were the lords of the manor for the day. Rippon Lea Estate is one of Melbourne's best kept secrets in the inner city and if I lived nearby I would visit everyday!
Alistair McLeanAlistair McLean
00
Firstly the venue for the high tea in the ballroom is great and the staff are very friendly and helpful. The experience is somewhat let down by the quality of the food. Whilst the food was acceptable I feel there are many other places offering high tea which are doing it much better. Some of the savoury and sweet offerings felt like they had been prepared days in advance. It would have been nice to have some hot savoury items, more than one scone per person and barista made coffee rather than the instant/percolated coffee. I really like the Ripponlea estate and would love for the food to live up to the iconic site. Edit: Upon a return visit I happened to visit the toilets. Be warned, both the male and female toilets smell. I understand they are old and probably heritage listed but it is very unpleasant in there. Something needs to be done to bring them up to minimum hygiene standards.
VangeVange
00
Nearby Attractions Of Rippon Lea Estate
Melbourne Holocaust Museum
Elwood Farmers' Market
Greenmeadows Gardens
Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve

Melbourne Holocaust Museum
4.6
(154)Click for details

Elwood Farmers' Market
4.6
(82)Click for details

Greenmeadows Gardens
4.6
(41)Click for details

Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve
4.4
(36)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Rippon Lea Estate
Goat House
Elsternwick Hotel
McDonald's Elsternwick
Attica
Grosvenor Hotel
Antique Bar
Bang Bang RC
Lezzet Anatolian Restaurant
Hanoi Hannah Vol. II
🍕48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar - Elsternwick Restaurant

Goat House
4.3
(725)Click for details

Elsternwick Hotel
4.3
(706)Click for details

McDonald's Elsternwick
3.4
(1.5K)Click for details

Attica
4.6
(543)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
192 Hotham St, Elsternwick VIC 3185, Australia
Map
Phone
+61 3 9656 9889
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Website
ripponleaestate.com.au
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Reviews
Overview
4.6
(792 reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
outdoor
family friendly
Description
Rippon Lea Estate is a heritage-listed historic house and gardens located in Elsternwick, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is in the care of the National Trust of Australia. It was added to the Australian National Heritage List on 11 August 2006.
attractions: Melbourne Holocaust Museum, Elwood Farmers' Market, Greenmeadows Gardens, Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve, restaurants: Goat House, Elsternwick Hotel, McDonald's Elsternwick, Attica, Grosvenor Hotel, Antique Bar, Bang Bang RC, Lezzet Anatolian Restaurant, Hanoi Hannah Vol. II, 🍕48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar - Elsternwick Restaurant

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