Como House and Garden

Immerse yourself in the history and luxury that make Como Melbourne’s most glamorous stately home.

Built in 1847, Como House and Garden is an intriguing mix of Australian Regency and classic Italianate architecture.

Como offers a glimpse into the privileged lifestyle of former owners, the Armytage family, who lived there for nearly a century.

The Armytages became famous amongst Melbourne high society and equally famous for their many elegant dances, dinners and receptions. Those elegant dining and reception rooms are still furnished with Armytage family heirlooms and even the servant’s areas, kitchen and laundry have been preserved.

Updated Conditions of Entry

The safety of our visitors and staff remains our top priority. We have put measures in place to protect the health and wellbeing of everybody and conditions of entry will apply to all visitors and staff. Please review our updated Conditions of Entry for more information.

UPDATED CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

COMO GARDENS

The gardens at Como are open from Monday to Saturday 9am – 5pm and Sunday 10am – 5pm.

COMO HOUSE

Como House is closed for tours while the Doll House: Miniature Worlds of Wonder exhibition is showing.

doll house: miniature worlds of wonder

5 November – late January 2022

Step inside the doll house and lose yourself in a miniature world of wonder and intrigue. Explore the doll house from its traditional form to the space it occupies in the virtual and intangible worlds.

Get up close to over 40 doll houses, many previously unseen from the 1880s to the present day. Together with furniture, accessories, ephemera and virtual experiences, Doll House: Miniature Worlds of Wonder unlocks the imagination of makers, collectors, activists and players and reveals the stories hidden in their worlds.

PURCHASE TICKETS

THE STABLES OF COMO CAFE

Please contact The Stables of Como for further information, click here or call 9827 6886.

Open Monday to Saturday 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday 10 am to 5 pm

COMO POP-UP STORE

Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 3.30pm.

The Rose Street Market has set up shop at Como House, showcasing the work of local artisans and crafters.

artist in residence

Acrylic painter Tashia Dixon is the latest to present new works in the Rose Street Market pop-up store and gallery at Como.

Tashia’s work embodies the relationship with nature, and nature’s relationship with itself.

Tashia’s career connects her experiences as an urban designer and as an artist to explore the intersection between society and nature. Each work investigates a unique moment in time where nature interacts with itself or with society.

PAUL BANGAY GARDEN

The Como perennial border has undergone rejuvenation works. Renowned designer and Como Ambassador Paul Bangay has worked with the National Trusts’ garden team and designed an interpretation of a classic perennial border, befitting a garden of the scale and significance of Como. Paul’s design comprises over 900 plants and draws on varieties listed in Willaim Sangster’s 1862 diary notes of plants growing at Como during Sangster’s time as head gardener. The design was implemented by the National Trust’s garden team and Como garden volunteer group.

Planning your visit

Como House and Garden

Address:

Corner Williams Rd & Lechlade Ave,
South Yarra 3141 VIC

Open:

The gardens at Como and the Stables Cafe are open Mon to Sat 9am to 5pm and Sun 10am to 5pm.
The Como Pop Up Store is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 3.30pm

Closed:

Good Friday and Christmas Day.
Please note that Como House remains closed for tours due to the installation of an exhibition.

Phone:

National Trust Bookings Office 03 9656 9889 (Mon-Fri) Stables Cafe - 9827 6886

Email:

bookings@nattrust.com.au

Entry Fees:

House entry

National Trust members: Free
Adult: $15
Concession: $12
Child (15 years & under): $9
Family (2 adults + 2 children): $35

What we offer:

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

– Visitors over 12 years old must wear a face mask, as required by state government regulations
– You must register your details with us upon entering the gardens by scanning the QR code
– Observe personal health and hygiene measures, as well as safe social distancing signage and contactless transactions
– Please note that areas may be partially closed off to implement safety protocols.

Please stay at home if any of the following apply:
– You are experiencing any flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, runny nose, persistent cough, shortness of breath)
– You have been in close contact with a person who had tested positive for COVID-19
– You (or one of your close contacts) are awaiting the results of a test for COVID-19

The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) has prepared a COVID Safe Plan to minimise the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission occurring to stakeholders, staff, volunteers, contractors and visitors. This plan is based on a review of risks to operations, both offices, gardens and spaces open to the public. View and download the document here.

Rose Street Market Pop Up

Shop unique creations and handmade treasures

Weddings

Como House is the perfect setting for your special day.

Venue Hire

Como is available as a location to host your special event.

Photography and filming

Como is a unique location for filming and photography, and has played host to many local and international movies, advertising campaigns and photoshoots.

The History of Como House

The Early Years

Como was built on the land of the Ngaruk Willam clan of the Boon Wurrung people who were part of the five groups who formed the Kulin nation who had lived on the land for thousands of years.
The settlement of Melbourne was a village barely two years old when the site that is now Como was used as a cattle run in 1837.
In 1847 Edward Eyre Williams, lawyer and later Judge of the first Supreme Court of Victoria purchased land extending from the Yarra River to Toorak Road.
He had a four roomed residence with separate kitchen built and named it 'Como' after the Italian Lake Como where he had proposed to his wife Jessie (pictured, with Justice Williams).

Como during the 1850s and beyond

In 1852 Williams sold Como, with its "noble frontage to the River Yarra," and "most commanding views of the surrounding country that could be desired" to Frederick Dalgety, owner of a firm providing supplies to wool, gold and settlers' trades.
Dalgetty paid £4,200 for the house and grounds, commenting that "I know it was not a bargain, but I foresaw that if I delayed I should not be able to buy except at a higher figure."
Dalgety, however, found Como “infernally dull” and sold it within a year to John Brown, master builder and later a wine and spirits merchant.
It turned out to be a bargain for Dalgety because Brown paid him £12,000 for Como!
Brown had the grounds landscaped and added a second storey to the original four rooms, including a Ball Room overlooking the gardens. The Ball Room, divided by folding doors, can still be seen upstairs. Portraits of John Brown and his wife Helen hang in the Billiard Room.

From the Armytages to the National Trust

In 1864, wealthy pastoralist Charles Armytage bought Como, originally as a town house for himself and his wife Caroline. The Ballroom wing was added in 1874 and includes an upstairs children's wing.
Charles died in 1876, leaving the property to Caroline.
Following Caroline's death in 1909, the property was sub-divided and, along with the house, put up for auction. Her daughters Ada, Laura, Constance and Leila purchased some land and the house and continued to spend most of their adult lives at Como. Ada purchased another family property, Holm Park at Beaconsfield and lived there.
In 1959 Como and its contents was sold by Constance and Leila (pictured as children in the grounds) to the National Trust.