Event 3 2022 Ripponlea House and Gardens

 


EVENT REPORT BY KERREN

Our group of 21 headed for Melbourne for a chance to step back in time to when the wealth from the goldrush was used to build a family's estate. This ornate Victorian mansion built by Frederick Sargood in 1868, originally sat on 40 acres (now 14), and includes a beautiful fernery, extensive orchards and lake with boathouse. The pleasure garden was there for the rich to indulge and entertain, with open grassed areas, tall Morton Bay figs, mature exotics and eucalypts. Since 1974 Rippon Lea has been owned by the National Trust and now take 45 minute tours of the house and/or garden for visitors. The cost for our two tours was $21.50, and an easy train trip to Melbourne, changing at Flinders St to the Sandringham line and a 10 minute walk east down Glen Eira Rd turning right at Hotham St, took us to the gates.

Some travelled down by train and some by car, and on arrival we had morning tea in the beautiful surroundings near the café. We were then divided into two groups, one group had a guided tour of the mansion with Peter while the other group toured the garden with Alison. Both of the volunteer guides did an excellent job!

After lunch we then swapped over and completed our tours.

In all it was an excellent day with perfect weather for enjoying on of Melbourne's historic jewels.

The National Trust has a fabulous website containing the history of the house and gardens, and like the property, well worth a look. There is a link to this after the photos.

A great day out, thank-you Dick and Coral.

PHOTOS BY ANDREW








































RIPPONLEA NATIONAL TRUST







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