Como House

This grand colonial residence overlooking the Yarra was begun in 1840, and underwent renovations up till 1959. The building has been faithfully restored by the National Trust and contains some of the Armytage family’s belongings, the last and longest owners. (Of course it’s all a matter of taste, but their period-furnishing style can seem more hysterical than stately.) The extensive well-tended grounds are faithful to 19th-century landscaping principles and include a croquet lawn and magnificent flower walks. Tours take around an hour: the first is at 10.30am, and then half-hourly until 3.30pm.