[1] Named after the adjoining Rippon Lea Estate, Ripponlea is centred on the intersection of Glen Eira Road and Hotham Street.

Ripponlea is known for its triangle shape, being bounded by Nepean Highway to the east, Hotham Street to the west and Glen Eira Road to the north.

After the death of Frederick Sargood in 1903, the estate's original owner, some of his property was subdivided to form the current suburb of Ripponlea.

[4] The Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Ripponlea television studios were built in 1954 on land compulsorily acquired from the Rippon Lea Estate, by the Victorian State Government.

The main attraction of Ripponlea is the Rippon Lea Estate, a massive mansion with 7 acres of gardens that is heritage listed and is owned by the National Trust.