Rippon Lea Estate
Located 20 minutes from Melbourne s CBD, Rippon Lea Estate is one of the last of Australia s grand suburban estates. National Heritage listed, a visit to this treasure takes you on a journey back in time and offers a unique glimpse into the lifestyles of the wealthiest Australians of the era.
Come and spend an afternoon meandering through the mansion, relaxing on the lawns, climb the lookout tower, take a boat ride on the lake, or enjoy a coffee in the Gate House.
Rippon Lea Estate consists of an urban mansion, a large garden, orchard and associated outbuildings (including the stable complex, the lodge, the conservatory and glasshouses, the fernery, the porte-cochere, the 1930s swimming pool, and the 1930s ballroom). The place has integrity as an uncommonly large and intact suburban estate.
The Sargood family who owned a clothing and drapery firm in Melbourne, made their fortune selling softgoods during the Gold Rush. During the 1870s Frederick Sargood was elected to the Legislative Council, and later became Victoria s first Minister for Defence. The Sargood children had a privileged childhood riding ponies, tending their dovecote and growing vegetables.
In 1868, Marian and Frederick Sargood bought 11.3 hectares (23 acres) of scrub land at Elsternwick, naming it after Frederick s mother Emma Rippon (Lea is an old English word for meadow). Frederick had arrived in the colony as a 15 year old, first working for the Public Works Department and then joining his father s expanding clothing and drapery importing firm. Sargood was knighted in 1890 and when he died in 1903, Lady Sargood sold the property to the Premier of Victoria, Sir Thomas Bent.
Rippon Lea s next owner, Benjamin Nathan moved into Rippon Lea with his family in 1910. His daughter, Mrs Louisa Jones inherited the property in 1935. Louisa and her family loved entertaining and Rippon Lea, after its redecoration in 1938, became the scene of lavish balls, parties, family weddings, and musical performances.
During the 1960s and early 1970s Louisa, with her children s support, fought a compulsory acquisition order to give four acres of Rippon Lea s pleasure grounds to the adjoining Australian Broadcasting Commission. The fight was won and upon her death in 1972, Rippon Lea passed to the care of the National Trust.
Open:
Sept-April Daily 10am-5pm
May - August: Thursday to Sunday 10am to 4pm
Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day
Entry fees apply
Location: 192 Hotham Street Elsternwick Victoria. Telephone: 03 9523 6095
