Botanica Festival 2023

Rippon Lea Estate Gardens

The garden is complex and covers almost 14 acres, which includes a large lake, extensive shrubberies and flower gardens, an orchard of historically significant fruit varieties, a fernery, rose gardens and many other features of historical, landscape and architectural interest, all forming the setting for the polychrome brick mansion completed in 1868. The garden is tended by a Head Gardener, staff of five gardeners and a team of volunteers.

The Fernery

Even on a warm day it is a cooling experience to walk through the Rippon Lea fernery. It features meandering paths, trickling streams and hundreds of species of ferns and palms, from native to rare and unusual varieties. Built in the 1870s, when ferns were the height of fashion, almost every Victorian home featured ferns in some form. At that time, larger ferneries were developed in the Geelong and Ballarat Botanic Gardens. Many other examples have fallen into disrepair or disappeared entirely. Listen to the Rippon Lea Fernery soundscape for a truly sensory experience.

The Lake

The original lake was excavated in the 1870s. It was smaller but included exotic plants and two islands. In the 1880s it was enlarged to a depth of 114cm, and incorporated five water jets concealed in rocks, a grotto and a mound featuring a tower. The lake is populated with black duck, chestnut teal, grey teal, moor hen and hoary headed grebe. The water also supports eel, carp, and tortoises. A wide variety of plants nestle along its banks.