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The White Hat Guide to Historic Houses in Melbourne and Victoria

Australia
Day Market at Como Historic House
Como Historic House in
South Yarra is celebrating Australia Day with a huge range of activities
and events on Tuesday 26th January 2010. The day will feature a range of
activities for kids and adults alike, with tours of the house and
garden, music, entertainment as well as a sausage sizzle and ice cream
stand. Our normal admission fees will apply and most activities will be
free. We will be holding our first Australia Day marketplace around our
fountain terrace. We are looking for stall holders with quality,
Australian produced wares to be part of our marketplace on the day. We
are keen to have stall holders with unique, hand-crafted and produced
goods as well as products that are environmentally friendly, recycled or
with a focus on sustainability. Stall hire is $20.00 with table hire
available for free upon request. Stallholders will be admitted to the
property from 8:30-9:30am. Stallholder enquiries;
como@nattrust.com.auor phone
03 9827 2500.
Australia Day at Como Historic House
10am-4pm Tuesday 26th January 2010
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Black Rock House
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This historic mansion, after which the suburb of Black Rock is named, is open
to the public on Sunday afternoons.
More info >> |
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2 to 4pm, Sundays (esc. Easter Sun) |
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34 Ebden Avenue
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Black Rock |
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Enquiries: (03) 9589 4912 |
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Como House
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10am - 5 pm daily |
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corner Williams Road & Lechlade Avenue,
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South Yarra |
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Enquiries: (03) 9827 2500 |
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Government House
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Tours (advance bookings required) Mon & Wed |
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(Mel ref 2L A1) |
Enquiries: (03) 9656 9800 |
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La Trobe's Cottage
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La Trobe's cottage was the home of Victoria's first Lieutenant-Governor, Charles La Trobe. He transported the pre-fabricated dwelling with him when he came to Australia in 1839. More info>> |
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2pm to 4pm, Sundays (Oct to May) |
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cnr Birdwood Ave & Dallas Brooks Drive
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South Yarra |
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Enquiries: (03) 8663 7223 |
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Labassa
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This historic mansion is managed by the National Trust and open on the third
Sunday of the month (except December). Informative house tours occur at 11am and
2.45pm and weather permitting, exterior tours at 1 pm. Refreshments in the
Servants Hall throughout the day. A special exhibition occurs from 3.30pm
featuring women's clothing from the 1880s. Adults $8, Concession $5.50, Families $20. More information at
Labassa. |
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10.30am to 430pm, 3rd Sunday of month (except Dec) |
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2 Manor Grove
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Caulfield |
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Enquiries: (03) 9527 6295 |
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Portable Iron Houses
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A unique set of portable corrugated iron houses exported from England to Australia during the Gold Rush period to provide housing for the great influx of migrants at that time. These are some of the few 19th Century prefabricated iron buildings remaining in the world and are open to the public once a month. A small admission charge applies. |
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1pm to 4pm, first Sunday of month (except Jan) |
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399 Coventry Street
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South Melbourne |
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Enquiries: (03) 9699 2172 |
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In addition to the houses above which are open to the public at various times, the following historic houses are of significance: Historic Houses on the Bellarine Peninsula and west coast of Port Phillip Bay
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Barwon Grange
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A heritage home in Geelong from the 1850s with gardens and riverside walks. White Hat can recommend a visit to this this property for two reasons. Firstly it is is only fashionable mid 19th century valuable river frontage residences built along the Barwon River which remains intact. Secondly, while most homes change and evolve over time, it has been decided to maintain this property as a time capsule of 1855-6 which again makes it unusual among heritage homes in Victoria. A small entry charge applies. White Hat recommends that if you are interested in visiting Barwon Grange you are also likely to be interested in visiting The Heights Heritage House & Garden (see below) - this is about 10 minutes drive away and is also open on Wednesdays and Sundays. |
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1pm to 4pm, Wednesdays & Sundays (opens at noon Sept to May) |
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Fernleigh Street
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Newtown |
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Enquiries: (03) 5221 3906 |
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The Heights Heritage House & Garden
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A German prefabricated house and outbuildings in Geelong constructed in 1855 then later refurbished in 1930s style. A small entry fee applies. The house is surrounded by impressive gardens and and the grounds contain stables, the groom's cottage and other outbuildings suited to a wealthy family in the late 19th century. White Hat particularly recommends you visit the dovecot (one of the few of its type remaining in Victoria to our knowledge) as well as the delightful one-off Standard motor car which is housed in the stables. White Hat recommends that if you are interested in visiting The Heights you are also likely to be interested in visiting Barwon Grange (see above) - this is about 10 minutes drive away and is also open on Wednesdays and Sundays. |
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11am to 4.30pm, Wednesdays & Sundays |
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140 Aphrasia Street.
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Newtown |
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Enquiries: (03) 5221 3510 |
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The Mansion at Werribee Park
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A stately home set in an impressive estate and maintained by the National Trust. Built by Thomas and Andrew Chirnside between 1874 and 1877 and surrounded by a grand garden this is one of Victoria's most important surviving stately homes. November-April: 10am - 4.45 pm daily. May-October: 10am-3.45pm weekdays, 10am - 4.45pm weekends. More information on The
Mansion at Werribee Park. |
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K Road,
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Werribee |
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(Mel ref 201 D1) |
Enquiries: 13 19 63 |
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Historic Houses in the Great Ocean Road region
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Barwon Park
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A historic bluestone mansion with 42 rooms and an enduring reminder to the
wealth and success of the Western District graziers of the 19th century. The
mansion also includes a room celebrating the achievements of the local soprano,
Marjorie Lawrence. More information at
The White Hat Guide to Barwon
Park. |
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11am to 4pm Wednesdays & Sundays (closed Christmas Day) |
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Winchelsea |
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Enquiries: (03) 5267 2209 or (03) 5267 2230 |
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Selected Events in Historic Houses
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Summer Sessions music and fun for the kids
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Over the summer months the popular ‘Summer Sessions’ will be on at Rippon Lea
House & Garden. You can take a picnic, relax and be entertained within the lush
surrounds of this grand 19th century estate. Children’s art and craft activities
conducted by Camp Australia include: face painting, bead decorations, badge
making, tug of war, handball target and live music entertainment. Prices for
2010 are:
- Adult $12, Concession $9
- Child $6.50 and Family $30
Note on pricing |
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12noon to 4pm, Sundays until 28th March 2010 |
Rippon Lea Estate, 192 Hotham Rd,
Elsternwick
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SHARP, FLAT and GRAND - Piano recitals at Como Historic House
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Every Wednesday from February 24th to March 31st 2010 Como Historic House is
proud to play host to the talents of pianist Nancy Tsou. The accomplished
musician is in residence to present a series of piano recitals, featuring the
work of Chopin,
Beethoven and the
Romantics, as well as Argentinean Tangos and popular contemporary music.
Admission includes morning tea and guided tour of the mansion.
- Program1 - Chopin
Nocturnes and Preludes 1 3rd March
- Program 2 - Chopin
Nocturne and Preludes 2 10th March
- Program 3 - Viennese Classics 17th March
- Program 4 - Spanish Flair and Argentinean Tangos 24th March
- Program 5 - 20th Century tunes we love 31st March
- Program 6 - Fantasia & other works
Each recital is from 10:30am to 12:30pm
$30 Adult $27 National Trust Member/Concession $25 Concession Member
Note on pricing |
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10301m to 12noon, Wednesdays 24th Feb to 31st Mar |
Como House & Garden, cnr
Williams and Lechlade Avenue South Yarra
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Enquiries: (03) 9827 2500 |
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Story Time at Rippon Lea
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Stories & songs for the young ones under the shady Story Tree. Spend
some time exploring the gardens at the conclusion of Story Time. Mum, dad,
grandma or grandpa might even like to bring a picnic lunch. Story Time is
available for the cost of garden entry for adults ($7) and children over 3 years
old ($3). (Note on pricing) |
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Lunching & Listening Program
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Luncheons in the Ballroom at Rippon Lea. Each luncheon has a speaker of interest. For instance the March 2010 luncheon features Dr Michael Cathcart who is a historian, writer and broadcaster.Bookings and payments essential one week prior to luncheon - Call Lynette Dobson: 9555 8382 or Carol Wigham: 9584 1304. |
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12pm for a 12.30pm start, 4th Thurday of month |
Rippon Lea Estate, 192 Hotham Rd,
Elsternwick
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Heritage Apple Tree Sale Day
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Rippon
Lea is proud to announce that we are offering a selection of our famous
heritage apple trees for sale to the public at a special sale day on
Sunday March 14th from 10am. Our garden staff have selected a range of
varieties from our orchard and grafted them on site. All these varieties
are no longer commercially grown and are very difficult to obtain. The
breadth of flavour these older cultivars span is quite amazing to those
of us accustomed to the half a dozen or so modern apples. All would make
a great addition to the home garden. Our garden staff will be on hand to
answer queries and provide advice while tasting and cultivation notes
will be provided with each tree. A large selection of ornamental plants
from our nursery will also be available including many from the National
Trust's own historic gardens. Stock is limited so we advise you to come
early to avoid disappointment. Come for the Heritage Apple Sale, bring a
picnic lunch and stay for Summer Sessions. |
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From 10am, Sunday March 14th 2010 |
Rippon Lea Estate, 192 Hotham Rd,
Elsternwick
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Standard entry prices apply |
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Lara Food & Wine Festival
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Join us in tasting an array of produce. All from over 60 of our regions gourmet food and wine producers. Bring a rug and picnic on the lawns of the historic Pirra Homestead.
The festival features our celebrity hostess, Catriona Rowntree and celebrity chef Gabriel Gaté.
Enjoy live entertainment from Victorian Police rock/pop band, Code One. |
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10am to 5pm, Sunday 28th March 2010 |
Pirra Homestead, 108 Windermere Road,Lara (45 mins from Melb CBD)
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Free entry & free parking |
Enquiries: (03) 5282 2725 |
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Heritage Weekend - Dunolly and Surrounds
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A heritage weeknd in the Central Goldfields region with open houses, guided walking tours, activities and dancing. |
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Government House Open Day
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As part of Australia Day, citizens and visitors are invited to visit
Government House,
inspect many rooms not normally open to the public and enjoy a picnic on
the lawns. Music and entertainment throughout the day.
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10am to 3pm, 26 January 2011 ? |
Government House
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Free entry |
Enquiries: (03) 9655 4211 |
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White Hat works hard
to make information on these pages current and correct. However with
many thousands of entries, much of it changing daily, errors may occur.
Always verify the information by using the phone numbers supplied with
each event or venue before making a special trip or using this
information for any other purpose. If you believe some information is
incorrect, please contact us at
corrections@whitehat.com.au
and we will attempt to verify or change the information
DISCLAIMER: White Hat makes no claim as
to the accuracy of this information and takes no responsibility for
incorrect or incomplete information
or for actions based on the information in these pages, and accepts no
liability to any person or organisation for the information contained in
these pages.
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Subscribe to our
FREE Newsletter 'City Design - the White Hat guide'
Each issue contains articles and news on city planning,
heritage issues, urban transit, urban lifestyle and
architecture. As with all our newsletters it aims to be Intelligent,
Informed, Independent and (occasionally) Irreverent. |
SCIENCE NEWS
Australia's first female Nobel Prize Winner
White Hat congratulates
Dr Elizabeth
Blackburn on becoming Australia's first female
Nobel Prize Winner.
Readers of our site will know that we have predicted that she would
become a Nobel Prize winner for some time and that Elizabeth
Blackburn has long been on our list of
200 Significant
Australians and 100
Important Living Australians despite the National Trust Living
Treasures list passing over her and people like Fields Medal winner
Terry Tao in favour of
minor media presenters. Congratulations Dr Blackburn from those thousands who
like you studied science at the University of Melbourne. |
TOURISM NEWS
Qantas In Flight Magazine chooses
White Hat
Cemetery Tour as its featured Australian tour for May

There are many fine historical tours
throughout Australia including cemetery tours. From these, the
prestigious Qantas In Flight Magazine has chosen the White Hat Tour
of Melbourne Cemetery as its featured Australian tour for the May
2007 edition. This tour was also featured by ABC radio on 24 May and
will feature in a documentary series on Burke and Wills to be shown
on European television in 2008. The tour has been operating for many years and has won
praise from a wide range of sources. This is not a dry and stuffy
tour but in keeping with all White Hat offerings it is Informed,
Intelligent, Independent (and occasionally) Irreverent. You can find
details of the tour at White
Hat Tour of Melbourne Cemetery and view the article at
Qantas In Flight Magazine. |
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