TOURS

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Melba's Garden - Guided Walking Tour

Established in 1909, Coombe Yarra Valley is the historic home of iconic soprano Dame Nellie Melba. Take a guided tour to explore the seven-acre gardens, which feature rare plants, terraced lawns, and one of Victoria’s oldest swimming pool, all designed by William Guilfoyle, the renowned architect of Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens. 

The gardens, hidden behind a 600-metre Cypress hedge, include native, Italian, and vegetable gardens, a croquet lawn, a grass tennis court, and a newly established Rose Arbour. Tours last about an hour, guiding you through this enchanting setting. You can also visit Coombe Cottage, preserved in its original condition, to get a glimpse into Melba’s opulent life (see details below).

 

Important Information:

  • The gardens can only be accessed via guided tours.
  • The tour route follows unsealed and sometimes uneven pathways.
  • The route is not undercover, and there are no toilets along the way.
  • Please wear suitable footwear and bring water.
  • Umbrellas for shade or rain protection are recommended.
  • Ensure you are capable of standing and walking unaided for the full duration, or bring a wheelchair and a companion to assist.
  • Tour duration – 60 minutes

For more details and to book your tour, please visit here.

   

To make a reservation, please click here

Garden tours are not sold separately and must be booked as part of an experience.

*Bookings essential

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Experience Coombe Cottage

Dame Nellie Melba, once the most famous woman in the world, chose Coombe Cottage as her Australian home in 1909. This sixty-acre dairy farm was renamed after a house she rented in England while performing at Covent Garden. Coombe Cottage remains the private residence of Melba’s family and was the home of her granddaughter, Pamela Lady Vestey, until her passing in 2011.

Coombe Cottage Tour: Take a guided walking tour through Coombe Cottage with our Melba historian to discover the extravagant life of this iconic diva. Begin in the grand Entrance Hall and move through the elegant Dining Room, set as if for a private dinner party. Admire the beauty, elegance, and timeless style of her bedroom and the grand music room, where Melba sang her favourite arias and hosted magnificent parties.

 

Important Information:

  • Wear suitable footwear and be capable of standing and walking unaided.
  • The house tour is not wheelchair or walker accessible.
  • Tours are limited to 10 people and must be booked 48 hours in advance.
  • Tour duration – 60 minutes

Terms & Conditions for our Tours can be viewed HERE

 

To make a reservation, please click here

House tours are not sold separately and must be booked as part of an experience

*Bookings essential