REGIONAL GALLERIES

Regional art galleries

BENDIGO ART GALLERY

BENDIGO ART GALLERY Established in 1887, Bendigo Art Gallery is one of the oldest and largest regional galleries in Australia, with a reputation for its outstanding national and international exhibition program. Bendigo Art Gallery’s varied collection includes Australian painting, sculpture, ceramics, decorative arts, photography, and works on paper from the 19th century to the present day, as well as 19th century British and European paintings, sculpture and decorative arts. Highlights of the contemporary collection include works by Patricia Piccinini, Bill Henson, Dale Frank, Jan Nelson, Fiona Hall, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Kit Webster and Benjamin Armstrong. bendigoartgallery.com.au

MCLELLAND SCULPTURE PARK + GALLERY Set on sixteen hectares of bush and landscaped gardens on the Mornington Peninsula, McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery attracts thousands of visitors each year. Its collection showcases over 100 works by major Australian artists, including works on paper, paintings, photography and sculptures. The Gallery’s programs aim to engender greater understanding of contemporary art with a focus on sculpture and nature, while the McClelland Gift Shop stocks a fine collection of art books, jewellery, scarves, works by local artisans and children’s toys. mcclellandgallery.com

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL SURFING MUSEUM, TORQUAY Based in Victoria’s surfing capital, the Australian National Surfing Museum Torquay celebrates the history of surfing in Australia, our passionate beach culture and the surfing heritage that has developed over the last hundred years. Learn about surfing heroes and legends in The Australian Surfing Hall Of Fame, trace the development of the surfboard along the boardwalk as a breaking wave looms ahead, and feast your eyes on, vintage surf memorabilia, historic surfboards, and spectacular footage of surfers in action. Whether you’re a grommet or a seasoned pro, at the Australian National Surfing Museum Torquay you can ride a wave of history and discover how awesome and inspirational surfing can be. surfworld.com.au

HAMILTON GALLERY A local treasure for over 50 years, Hamilton Gallery presents a range of exhibitions, programs and events that stimulate understanding, awareness and enjoyment of the visual arts. Celebrated for its exceptional breadth and quality, the Gallery’s collection includes works by some of the greatest European, Asian and Australian masters. Silver, porcelain and glass from the beginning of the 18th century onward, Asian ceramics from the major dynasties, European and Australian prints, 18th century landscapes, Australian oil paintings and watercolours and fine international and Australian examples of 20th century decorative arts combine to form a collection of over 8000 items. The significance of the decorative arts collection and 18th century watercolours makes Hamilton Gallery a leading public art collection, Australia wide. hamiltongallery.org

CONVENT GALLERY, DAYLESFORD Australian Tourism Award Winner, the Convent Gallery in Daylesford offers a wide range of experiences. This 19th Century Victorian mansion was built in the 1860s as the private residence for the Gold Commissioner, before becoming a convent and boarding school for nearly 100 years, falling into disrepair, and being rescued by artist Tina Banitska in 1989. Uniting history, spirituality, art and culture all under one roof, the Convent houses seven galleries featuring work by over 100 local, national and international artists. Featuring fine art, sculpture, limited edition prints, ceramics, glassware and textiles, the dynamic exhibition program showcases a diverse array of traditional and contemporary artwork. The Convent retail areas specialise in jewellery, fashion, accessories and unique gifts, while the sunlit Mediterranean cafe produces world-class fare in a relaxing and art filled environment. conventgallery.com.au

CONVENT GALLERY BENALLA ART GALLERY

BENALLA ART GALLERY Situated in the heart of Victoria’s bushranger country, the Benalla Art Gallery occupies a striking modernist building by the lake. The Gallery presents a diverse exhibition program spanning 200 years of Australian art including outstanding examples of contemporary and Indigenous art, with a permanent collection including works by Arthur Streeton, Frederick McCubbin, Fred Williams, Sidney Nolan and many other great Australian artists. The onsite cafe overlooks beautiful Lake Benalla and offers relaxed dining featuring local wines and produce. Enjoy lunch or coffee and cake on the lakeside deck in an atmosphere of great art, good food and memorable views. Afterwards walk through the historical Benalla Botanical Gardens, view the Weary Dunlop memorial sculpture by Louis Lauman and visit the Benalla Ceramic Mural, featuring work by outstanding ceramists and artists. benallaartgallery.com.au

SHEPPARTON ART MUSEUM Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) has one of Australia’s most important collections of historical and contemporary ceramics, along with significant holdings of Australian art in all media. In 2011 it was redeveloped with the support of Regional Development Victoria. The latest upgrade included the construction of a dedicated street entrance, six new galleries, two new art storerooms, and the installation of LED lighting and climate control. As part of this most recent redevelopment the Shepparton Art Gallery was renamed the Shepparton Art Museum (SAM). Today SAM focuses on collecting Australian art in all media (including ceramics), with a focus on contemporary and Indigenous Australian art. Recent acquisition highlights include work by Vernon Ah Kee, Patricia Piccinini, David Noonan, Tracey Moffatt, Dale Frank and Fiona Foley. sheppartonartmuseum.com.au

Gateway city

Victoria’s second-largest city and the gateway to Great Ocean Road, there are plenty of reasons to visit Geelong and the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula

TEXT: VISITVICTORIA.COM, CASSY POLIMENI, LITTLE CREATURES, ADVENTURE PARK GEELONG, GEELONG GALLERY, QUEENSCLIFF HARBOUR P/L / IMAGES: VISIT VICTORIA, SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Gourmands will love the burgeoning foodie scene in this picturesque region, where craft breweries, local wineries, farm gates and provedores abound. Once you’re fed and ready for action, explore historic streetscapes or tee off at lush golf courses. Surf, paddle and swim at bay and ocean beaches or sign up for a scenic flight.

EAT & DRINK Treat your tastebuds to the best the region has to offer on the Bellarine Taste Trail (thebellarinetastetrail.com. au), incorporating wineries, farmgates, provedores, restaurants and more. Take a tour or map your own itinerary on a self-drive epicurean adventure. Sample the region’s famous mussels and oysters, along with handcrafted goats cheese, berries, olives, farmers market produce and picnic essentials.

If you prefer to have someone else do the cooking, indulge at celebrated restaurants and cafes. From old-world goodness and regional flavours at Queenscliff’s iconic Vue Grand Hotel (vuegrand.com.au), to cafe fare and top-notch coffee at Piknik (piknik.com.au).

Enjoy bay views and divine meals at award-winning winery restaurants like Bellarine Estate, Basil’s Farm, Leura Park Estate, McGlashans Estate and Oakdene Vineyard. Take a cruise down MacAdams Lane with its views of the You Yangs and pull up at Jack Rabbit Vineyard or Terindah Estate or savour the local wines at Barwon Heads Winestore and Noble Rot Wine Bar in Point Lonsdale (winegeelong.com.au). While beer lovers will relish Little Creatures, where you can grab a pale ale and a bite in the Canteen or wander down Mystery Lane and discover the brewery itself (littlecreatures.com.au).

SEE & DO Adventure Park Geelong is home to some of the coolest water rides in Australia, from the Crazy Coaster and Red Baron, to Gold Rush Rapids and Wild West Canyon. The Tiny Tots Splashzone keeps the young ones cool, safe and entertained, while the Ferris Wheel, Little Buggy Speedway, archery, mini golf, and grand carousel offer entertainment on dry land (adventurepark.com.au).

For an aquatic experience in the wild, head out with local tour operator Sea All DolphinSwims for your chance to snorkel with dolphins and seals. The half-day tours run from October to April, when sightings are more prevalent (dolphinswims.com.au). Established in 1896, the Geelong Gallery is one of Australia’s leading and oldest regional art galleries with a magnificent collection of 19th to 21st century Australian and European paintings and decorative arts, including pottery, porcelain, colonial silver, and contemporary Australian paintings, prints, sculpture and ceramics (geelonggallery.org.au). Little Creatures Brewery

Queenscliff Harbour

Queenscliff Harbour is home to historic couta boats, yachts, power boats and a popular destination for local and interstate visiting vessels. On the boardwalk, a dynamic retail precinct incorporates dive operators, eco tours, fashion, gifts, hairdressers and a day spa, along with dining options from fish and chips to wood fired pizza, coffee and cake. Don’t miss the 42-metre observation tower for 360 degree views of Queenscliff, Port Philip Bay, and the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas – you might even spot a stingray (queenscliffharbour.com.au). DV

While You’re HERE …

Sitting roughly halfway between Melbourne and Geelong, just over the West Gate Bridge from Melbourne’s CBD, Werribee is an ideal stopover on your way to Geelong, with plenty to tempt animal lovers, plane spotters and history buffs. Come face to face with lions, cheetahs, hippos and giraffes at Werribee Open Range Zoo, or go behind the scenes for a thrilling Wild Encounter (zoo.org.au/WerribeeOpenRangeZoo). Check out the huge collection of military aircraft at RAAF Museum in Point Cook (airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum), or step back in time at Italianate-style Werribee Mansion with its formal gardens, open parklands and luxe hotel and spa (werribeepark.com.au).

For more information and to plan your trip, go to visitgeelongbellarine.com.au