This place feels like stepping into a real-life fairytale. Rippon Lea Estate, is a grand 19th-century mansion surrounded by 14 acres of Victorian gardens and sweeping lawns! You can see why it's the backdrop for so many weddings and cinematic photography shoots, it so romantic! We timed our visit to the Dahlia season from February to May for something even more special!

My favourite things to do while you're there:

• Pack your own picnic and enjoy it on the beautiful lawns or by the lake

• Book a mansion tour of 34 rooms 

• Play a game of croquet on the lawn (book ahead)

• Walk through the largest fernery in the Southern Hemisphere

• Hit a few balls on the oldest surviving lawn tennis court in Victoria (hire in advance)