Villa Alba Museum
Villa Alba Museum
4
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12 reviews
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Brian M
Crows Nest4 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
An undiscovered gem, an atmospheric, charming ramshackle historic old villa with beautiful murals and decorations in various stages of decay / restoration. Tours of the interiors are led by enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteers once a month.
It reminded me of old villas in Italy with the layers of history telling a great story and letting your imagination run wild.
It reminded me of old villas in Italy with the layers of history telling a great story and letting your imagination run wild.
Written April 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ting
Kew, Australia4 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
It was a delightful surprise when I passed by the museum and came across such a beautiful heritage house that has been meticulously maintained for over 100 years. Every corner of the house holds a story, and the paintings are still vivid and clear. I must say, it was a truly valuable visit.
Written April 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Drew D
Melbourne, Australia13 contributions
Nov 2013 • Friends
The 1880's house near Studley Park, Kew is notable for its painted decorations...no wall paper was used in the original scheme. The recently restored forty feet painted murals of Sydney Harbour and Edinburgh in the Vestibule/Ballroom portray these scenes as they were in 1880 and are nationally significant. The Drawing Room features the original satinwood over-mantle and a recently installed period Venetian chandelier. The painted decoration of the upstairs Boudoir has a very Pompeiian influence.
The surrounding garden/ landscape has been recreated with expert advice using historical sources such as MMBW maps from the turn of the last century.
The surrounding garden/ landscape has been recreated with expert advice using historical sources such as MMBW maps from the turn of the last century.
Written January 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FammyL
Melbourne, Australia114 contributions
Jul 2019
Growing up in Kew, and not knowing this beautiful mansion with it's interesting past was so surprising to me.
Open the first Sunday of each month from 1-4pm with an entry fee if $12 currently, it is staffed by volunteers who are knowledgable and so inviting.
As no government funding is given, it relies on donations to restore it to its former glory; hence, the mansion is only partly restored. But that makes it the more interesting as we can see the process.
It is on a smallish block of land (3/4 acre) for those days, but there is a reason for that which I won't give away. There are steps and a staircase to negotiate, so no wheelchair access.
TripAdvisor gives the title of royal Talbot hospital, but it is no longer that- it is now a public trust.
There is a toilet, but no furnishings and few chairs. There is no cafe andeating is prohibited inside, asks touching the very delicate walls.
Well worth the visit, parking is plentiful.
Open the first Sunday of each month from 1-4pm with an entry fee if $12 currently, it is staffed by volunteers who are knowledgable and so inviting.
As no government funding is given, it relies on donations to restore it to its former glory; hence, the mansion is only partly restored. But that makes it the more interesting as we can see the process.
It is on a smallish block of land (3/4 acre) for those days, but there is a reason for that which I won't give away. There are steps and a staircase to negotiate, so no wheelchair access.
TripAdvisor gives the title of royal Talbot hospital, but it is no longer that- it is now a public trust.
There is a toilet, but no furnishings and few chairs. There is no cafe andeating is prohibited inside, asks touching the very delicate walls.
Well worth the visit, parking is plentiful.
Written July 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WorldTraveller5000
Melbourne, Australia610 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
This grand old home of more than 20 rooms has stood in the Studley Park Kew area for over 130 years but for about 50years much of its interior walls were hidden away under whitewashing paint; As the restoration continues and the paint is peeled back to reveal the original hand-painted frescoes beneath it is truly amazing that anyone would have painted over this beauty. The gardens are lovely and have been researched and beautifully laid out to bring back some of their former glory and the home from outside looks much as it would have in its heydey. The volunteer guides passionately talk about the home and its history and there are photos both on the wall and in albums of many other Melbourne homes of similar grandeur, many of which sadly have long since been demolished. Worth a visit if you're interested in historic architecture or interiors. They only open on the first Sunday of each month and entry is $10 ($8 concessions).
Written August 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catherine B
Christchurch, New Zealand387 contributions
Jun 2016 • Solo
It is lovely to see this two-storey mansion being gradually restored. Wallpaper was never used in this mansion. Instead, the walls and ceilings have been painted by hand. Most of the rooms have a particular theme. One room that is particularly outstanding, is the vestibule, with its depiction of the Firth of Forth and Sydney's North Shore. This is a wonderful room, with light streaming in from both sides. There are very few furnishings in the mansion. Nevertheless, this is not a concern, as the eye is not distracted from the paintings. The ladies, who are volunteers, are very enthusiastic and helpful. Perhaps the ladies could take you on a tour? Do take the time to walk around the garden too.
Written June 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angie K
Melbourne, Australia475 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
Step into history of the Villa Alba and be awed with examples of the late nineteenth century decoration with diverse and eclectic design elements. Though most of the rooms are empty, one does not need to restrain imagination of how the room looked like in its heyday when it was occupied by the first owners, the Greenlaws. This place is only open the first Sunday of the month. As this museum is still going through restoration, one can see the newer designed being meticulously 'cleaned' to restore the former paint. This grand mansion is worth a visit. The gardens are a bit small and can be covered with just a short walk, the path is well tended. All the guides are friendly and informative. For those who are really lovers of historical structures and buildings.
Written June 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,734 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
The Villa Alba Museum dates from the second half of the nineteenth century, when Melbourne was truly Marvellous.. After the mansion drifted away from the founding family following the property crash of the 1890s, it was used as a hospital. The wonderful wall paintings were covered with institutional green 'to brighten it up' for the nurses. Now, a dedicated coterie of volunteers is restoring Villa Alba to its former glory. Villa Alba is open the first Sunday of every month, for a modest entrance fee, which goes towards restoring the mansion. Afternoon tea is available, as are jams and preserves made from the produce of Villa Alba's garden. The volunteers are making headway against the encroachments of time. Villa Alba is easy to get to, it's certainty worth a look.
Written September 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bogey147
Melbourne, Australia75 contributions
Oct 2022
Old mansion with fantastic alfresco paintings.
We visited during the glass exhibition, so got to see some great art also.
Very interesting history of the old building - you can imagine how it was in its prime
We visited during the glass exhibition, so got to see some great art also.
Very interesting history of the old building - you can imagine how it was in its prime
Written October 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara H
Melbourne, Australia52 contributions
Sep 2016 • Family
Visited this stately mansion in Kew recently on it's open day, being the first Sunday of the month. Was geated with very pleasant and knowledgable volunteer and given broucher and was able to wander at our leisure. Such a shame that so much money needs to be donated and f7nded to fully restore this once stately building with an interesting history. The art work on walls and ceilings was magnificent and finding suitable skilled trades people to do this work is imperative. Our govt. really needs to appreciate that we must not loose our history. The once magnificent gardens are now quite small but suburbia has encrouched. Highly recommend a visit and donate as one can towards restoration.
Written September 22, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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