Page 411 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

MELBOURNE  409

VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Practical Information
192 Hotham St, Elsternwick.
Tel (03) 9523 6095.
∑ ripponleaestate.com.au
Open 10am–5pm daily (winter:
to 4pm). Closed Good Fri, 25 Dec.
& 7 ground floor only. =
8 obligatory. -
Transport Como House and its driveway
£ Rippon Lea. v 67.
. Dining Room @ 216, 219. /Como Historic
American walnut blends with an
Italian Renaissance style for the House and Garden
dining furniture of Louisa Jones.
Cnr Williams Rd & Lechlade Ave,
South Yarra. Map 4 F4. Tel (03) 9827
2500. £ South Yarra. v 8. Gardens:
Open 9am–5pm daily (from 10am
Sun). Closed Good Fri, 25 Dec. &
7 ground floor and grounds only.
8 obligatory; 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm
Sat & Sun (buy tickets online).
∑ comohouse.com.au
Begun in 1847 by Edward
The Brickwork Eyre Williams, Como House
The use of multicoloured was occupied by the Armytage
bricks for the building family for almost a century
was inspired by a trip to (1865–1959).
northern Italy. One of Como’s highlights is
its vast collection of original
furnishings. These include pieces
collected by the Armytage
matriarch, Caroline, while on a
Grand Tour of Europe during
the 1870s, and include marble
and bronze statues. The tour
was undertaken as an educa­
tional experience for her nine
children after the death of her
husband, Charles Henry. It was
important to this prominent
Melbourne family to be seen
Swimming
pool and as well educated. On their
ballroom return, they held a series of
sophisticated parties here.
Set in the picturesque
remnants of its once extensive
gardens, the house overlooks
Como Park and the Yarra River.
The original facets of the
magnificent grounds, designed
by William Sangster (who also
had an input at Rippon Lea),
remain: the fountain terrace,
croquet lawn and hard standing
area at the front of the house.
Como was managed by
. Sitting Room the Armytage women from
Louisa Jones looked to the 1876 until it was purchased
grand mansions of Hollywood by the National Trust in 1959.
film stars in the 1930s for much The house has undergone
of her interior design, including major restoration work over
the plush sitting room. the years since then.