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Recreating Kinkarakami

Kinkarakami is the contemporary Japanese name for gold embossed leather paper.
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The Surviving Cast Iron Conservatory

The Victorian cast-iron conservatory attached to the drawing room is the only one to survive at Rippon Lea.
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Last of the Grand Ferneries

The Rippon Lea Fernery is one of the best surviving examples anywhere of a grand fern house from the ‘Golden Age’ of gardening.
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What’s Behind the Waterfall? The Grotto

Constructed in the 1880s, Rippon Lea’s grotto is one of its’ special hidden treasures
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Conservatories Then and Now

The conservatories at Rippon Lea have always been a huge draw for visitors. Fashionable in Victorian times, they were built to wow guests.
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What’s Behind the Waterfall? The Grotto

Constructed in the 1880s, Rippon Lea’s grotto is one of its’ special hidden treasures
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Last of the Grand Ferneries

The Rippon Lea Fernery is one of the best surviving examples anywhere of a grand fern house from the ‘Golden Age’ of gardening.
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Gentlemen and Their Orchids

Rippon Lea was famous across Australia and the world for its vast orchid collections. Frederick Sargood and later Benjamin Nathan caught “Orchidmania”.
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Views from the Tower

The three level tower was added during a period of substantial change at Rippon Lea in the period of 1882-1889.
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What if Rippon Lea was never saved?

In a classic story of David versus Goliath, Rippon Lea was the setting of a battle spanning almost 10 years.
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Hidden Heritage of the National Trust of Australia (Victoria)

Hidden Heritage of the National Trust of Australia (Victoria)

The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) is the state’s premier community-based heritage advocacy organisation. We actively protect and conserve places of heritage significance for future generations to enjoy.

Telling Heritage Stories

Throughout this site you’ll find stories that show the hidden heritage of the NTAV. 

Explore the history of the families, times and ways of life from the pre-colonial landscape to modern conservation programs and advocacy. 

Places

Go behind the scenes and explore stories from our extraordinary heritage sites in Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Rippon Lea Estate

Of National heritage significance, Rippon Lea is a grand 19th century mansion complete with a Victorian garden to explore, heritage orchard, lake, childrens playground, fernery and grotto.
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Rippon Lea Estate

Of National heritage significance, Rippon Lea is a grand 19th century mansion complete with a Victorian garden to explore, heritage orchard, lake, childrens playground, fernery and grotto.
Learn More >>

Rippon Lea Estate

Topics

Find out more about people from the past. Discover remarkable collections , architecture and gardens and the stories behind them.

Conservation

Explore the skills and knowledge used to conserve and protect our heritage places
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Environment

From trees to gardens to landscapes, explore our living, breathing heritage
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Hidden Places

Access to some of our secret and rarely seen places
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People

Hear the stories of the people behind our special places
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Social History

What happened and why? What can we learn from it?
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Conservation

Explore the skills and knowledge used to conserve and protect our heritage places
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Environment

From trees to gardens to landscapes, explore our living, breathing heritage
Learn More >>

Hidden Places

Access to some of our secret and rarely seen places
Learn More >>

People

Hear the stories of the people behind our special places
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Social History

What happened and why? What can we learn from it?
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Conservation

Environment

Hidden Places

People

Social History

Times

Explore heritage through different periods in time.

19th Century

Colonisation, gold and the gilded Victorian Age
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20th Century

Federation, war, modernism and migration
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Now

Heritage in the here and now
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19th Century

Colonisation, gold and the gilded Victorian Age
Learn More >>

20th Century

Federation, war, modernism and migration
Learn More >>

Now

Heritage in the here and now
Learn More >>

Now

19th Century

Explore Hidden Heritage

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Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Victoria and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
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This website made possible with the assistance of The Commonwealth Government through the Australian Heritage Grants program.

Address: National Trust of Australia (Victoria), Tasma Terrace, 6 Parliament Place, East Melbourne Vic 3002   |  email: info@nattrust.com.au   |  tel: +61 3 9656 9800   |  fax: +61 3 9650 5397