Botanica Festival 2022

A celebration of our natural environment, gardening and sustainability.

29 May 2022 10:00 am — 3:00 pm

Join us at Rippon Lea Estate for a day of botanical fun with an open-air market in partnership with The Rose Street Market, informative garden tours and walks, displays and activities, plus so much more.

This year’s highlights

Plant Sale: This year will be our biggest plant sale yet! Our gardening team have been very busy propagating and potting up ready for this year’s festival.

Open Air Market: Shop from local makers and growers.

Birdsong tour: Naturalist, Gio Fitzpatrick, takes you on an interpretive audio tour of the birds of the Rippon Lea Estate. You can listen to the recording on your own device during the festival – access the audio tour here.

Bonsai Exhibition: The Bonsai Society of Victoria will be showcasing some of the very finest examples from their collection. Held in the opulent interior of the Rippon Lea ballroom, visitors will see the technique of traditional Japanese styles and contemporary relationships applied to the bonsai craft.

Bugs on the Estate: explore a photographic exhibition of the micro world of bugs that can be found at the Estate.

Buttercup the Cow: our beloved Botanica mascot will return again with milking and butter making demonstrations.

Gardening Book Sale: shop pre-loved gardening books, all under $5 each.

Garden Tours: join the Rippon Lea gardeners and volunteers on a tour, including the social history of this magnificent Victorian era pleasure garden , a discovery of significant trees, and a gardening Q&A.

Entertainment: Catch roving performances throughout the day.

Food Vans: Bring a picnic blanket to enjoy lunch on the lawns.

Entry is by gold coin per person. Help us track our capacity by registering your attendance.

Supported by The City Of Glen Eira

More about Rippon Lea Estate

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.

Plan your Visit

Rippon Lea Estate

Address:

192 Hotham Street, Elsternwick 3185 VIC

Tea Room
Please note that the Tea Rooms are open for takeaway hot and cold drinks, ice cream, and biscuits. Sandwiches and cakes will be on offer when available. Takeaway drinks and food can be enjoyed on the main mansion veranda where tables and chairs will be provided to soak up the beautiful views of the garden.

The Gatehouse Gift Shop
There is a lovely selection of gifts and homewares to suit everyone’s taste.
Shop with the National Trust and you’ll be supporting our valuable work.
National Trust Members receive 10% off all purchases on the presentation of their membership card.

The Gatehouse Nursery
Here you will find a wonderful variety of plants for sale.
National Trust Members receive 10% off all purchases on the presentation of their membership card.

For school bookings or group bookings, please contact our Bookings Office on (03) 9656 9889 Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm.

Learn More