Photo: Sardaka · CC BY-SA 4.0 · editedRippon Lea Estate
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Rippon Lea Estate is a heritage-listed mansion and 14-acre garden in Elsternwick, Melbourne. It stands on Bunurong land.
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Citizen D · CC BY-SA 3.0 · edited
What's on here
A Place to Bee: Building Homes for Native Pollinators
Thursday, 11:00
Bugs in my Backyard: Mini-Creatures Discovery Day
Saturday, 10:009 USD
Mansion Tours (Mandarin Speaking)
14 Nov – 26 Mar 20275 USD
Maserati car club show
Sunday, 10:00
Forest Bathing with ‘Nothing Like Nature’
Sunday, 10:3040 USD
The Hidden Life of Bats: Research and Conservation Night
Friday, 19:30
Christmas Lunch at Rippon Lea Estate
Friday, 11:0099 USD
Twilight at the Trust
13 Jan 2027 – 11 Feb 2027
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Why go
- Discover underground water stories through Hidden Rippon Lea, a sound and augmented reality experience.
- Join a guided bird-spotting walk.
- Explore significant garden trees with the C My Trees App.
Opening hours
Today10:00 – 17:00Show all
Monday10:00 – 17:00
Tuesday10:00 – 17:00
Wednesday10:00 – 17:00
Thursday10:00 – 17:00
Friday10:00 – 17:00
Saturday10:00 – 17:00
Sunday10:00 – 17:00
Don't miss
- Garden lakeGeese, swans and other water birds visit this man-made lake, which collected stormwater runoff from the surrounding area.In the gardens
- Iron-framed fernerySargood’s enthusiasm for ferns and orchids shaped his plant collecting; he imported many plants for the estate.In the garden
- Patterned mansion brickworkLook for the mansion’s polychrome patterned brickwork, designed in the Lombardic Romanesque style.On the mansion exterior
- Swimming pool and ballroomA Hollywood-style swimming pool and a new ballroom replaced the original ballroom in the 1930s.In the grounds
Facilities
- Toilets Near the stables at the eastern end of the property.
- Gift shop In the Gatehouse.
- Plant nursery The Gatehouse Nursery sells plants.
- Tables and chairs On the main mansion veranda for enjoying takeaway food and drinks.
History
The estate’s name combines Frederick Sargood’s mother Emma Rippon’s surname with “lea,” an old English word for meadow. Ben and Agnes Nathan added a conservatory and 14 glasshouses, and employed 14–17 gardeners. A ground-floor kitchen led to the closure of the basement service rooms, preserving the cool room, wine cellar and fuel stove.
- 1868Frederick and Marion Sargood bought land at Elsternwick, and the house was completed for their family. Architect Joseph Reed designed the original 15-room house.
- 1881Garden consultant William Sangster began major redesign work.
- 1882The Sargood family returned, and the estate underwent extensive renovation.
- 1883The lakes were enlarged, and a hill and lookout were created following Sangster’s recommendations.
- 1897The house was extended north, and its front entrance was remodelled into its present form.
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- 1903After Frederick Sargood died, a syndicate led by Thomas Bent bought the estate.
- 1910Ben and Agnes Nathan bought the estate and returned the house to family use.
- 1935Louisa Jones inherited the property and modernised the house’s interior, retaining some Victorian features.
- 1963A plan to acquire the main garden, lake and lookout prompted protests and legal action by Jones. A demonstration drew 10,000 people. She arranged for the house and remaining land to pass to the National Trust after her death.
- 1972After Jones died, the National Trust inherited the estate, and the acquisition order was withdrawn.
- 22 February 1974The estate opened to the public.
- 11 August 2006The estate entered the Australian National Heritage List.
How to get there
- On foot192 Hotham Street, Elsternwick, Victoria. Enter through the Gatehouse on Hotham Street.
- 5 minTrainRippon Lea Station on the Sandringham Line is a five-minute walk from the estate.
- TramTram Route 67 stops at stop 42 near the estate.
- BusBus route 603 stops directly outside the estate on Hotham Street.
- ParkingThere is no on-site parking; parking is available locally.
Accessibility
- Mansion access Visitors with mobility needs can access only the mansion’s ground floor.
- Garden paths Gravel paths can make wheelchair access difficult. Staff can provide a map of more wheelchair-friendly routes.
Sources: Rippon Lea Estate - Wikipedia · Historic Mansion & Gardens | Rippon Lea Estate · History | Rippon Lea Estate · Plan your visit | Rippon Lea Estate · checked 4 Oct 2026
Where
192 Hotham St, ElsternwickGlen Eira, Elsternwick
- Website
- ripponleaestate.com.au/
- Phone
- +61 3 9656 9889
Plan from here: Evening walk →
Questions and answers
How can I visit the mansion?
Entry is by guided tour, except during Tuesday open house from 2 to 3 pm. Guides share stories about the house and its people.
Can I order a picnic hamper?
Picnic hampers can be ordered for visits.
Does Rippon Lea Estate host a market?
The Trust Makers’ Market takes place on the lawns on selected Sundays each month.
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