Rippon Lea Estate
Location
Port Phillip residents can continue to enjoy free access to spectacular, stately gardens under an innovative funding agreement between Port Phillip Council and the National Trust of Australia.
Under the funding agreement, residents simply have to show current proof of residency with photo ID to the National Trust. They will then be issued an access pass to the historic Rippon Lea Estate gardens in Elsternwick, just over the border from Port Phillip.
The lush 5.6-hectare gardens feature:
- a lake
- extensive shrubberies and flower gardens
- an orchard featuring historically significant fruit varieties
- rose gardens
- a fernery with streams.
General admission normally costs $15 for adults, $12 for concession and $9 for children (5-15 years). Guided tours of the mansion and gardens are an additional $5 per person, per tour.
Residents will need to complete a garden entry form on the first visit. You can do this on entry at the Rippon Lea gatehouse entry, or download an entry form from the Rippon Lea website and complete before your visit.
The Rippon Lea Estate program often includes events such as theatre, outdoor cinema nights and picnics on the lawns. Please note, many of these are paid events, but do occasionally offer special resident discounts.