Volunteers Out and About

Bundanon Art in Architecture

For years I have wanted to visit Bundanon, the former property of Arthur Boyd, which he generously gifted to the Australian people.

When I read that accommodation had recently opened at the property I jumped at the opportunity, booking in for the Easter weekend. Everything about Bundanon exceeded my expectations. The natural environment is stunning, bush covered hills rolling down to the serpentine Shoalhaven River. The Bridge, designed by architect Kerstin Thompson, is an eyecatching contemporary structure on tall metal stilts, spanning a deep grassy hollow.

The Bridge contains 32 rooms with three breezeway areas. A saw-tooth roof floats over the accommodation wing, guest dining room and café, linking the Bridge to the art gallery.

The property was threatened by the 2019-20 bushfires necessitating the evacuation of the $40 million Boyd art collection. This collection is just being returned to the gallery. To avoid future threats the new fireproof art gallery has been built into a hillside.

The timber paneled guest rooms are elegant, simple and eco-friendly. A perforated sliding metal screen regulates light with wooden louvres regulating airflow.

One of the many highlights of my stay was watching the moon rise over the Shoalhaven whilst sipping a local wine.

Jillian Salz Blue Mountains Cultural Centre Volunteer