Bank Art Museum Moree (BAMM)Credit: Destination NSW
Facade of the Bank Art Museum Moree, located in the previous home of the Commercial Banking Co. of Sydney (built 1911).
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Uncover New South Wales’s thriving regional art scene at a rich array of art galleries beyond Sydney. Connect with your destination through art inspired by the local landscape or created by the people who call it home. Here are just a few renowned arts institutions bound to enrich your next NSW adventure, while art lovers can also look forward to refurbishments of several esteemed regional galleries including the Newcastle Art Gallery — Australia’s first purpose-built regional gallery.
Peer inside an artist’s studio in the Tweed
Prepare to be awestruck by the recreations of the studio of late artist Margaret Olley, set up in her home in Sydney’s Paddington at the Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre in Murwillumbah on the Far North Coast. Gain fascinating insights into the life and work of the celebrated still-life artist, who attended primary school in the Tweed hinterland town of Murwillumbah, as you peer into the famously cluttered rooms. Find plenty more to love about this scenically situated gallery, including permanent and touring exhibitions showcasing works by national and regional artists, and soul-stirring views towards Wollumbin (Mount Warning) from the terrace of the gallery’s recently relaunched café, Apex Dining.
Be amazed by the art collection of Armidale
Revel in one of regional Australia’s most comprehensive overviews of Australian art history at the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) in Armidale, a six-hour drive northwest of Sydney. At the core of this institution is the Howard Hinton Collection, which NERAM was purpose-built to house in 1983, with more than 1,000 significant works by Australian art legends including Arthur Streeton, Margaret Preston, and Brett Whiteley. Also to be enjoyed are touring exhibitions from around Australia and works by local artists. Unleash your own creativity at an art class or workshop, and savour your gallery experience over a wholesome meal at its Six Counties café.
New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM), Armidale Credit: Destination NSW
Armidale Conference. Destination NSW. 3-5th September 2018. Photograph Dallas Kilponen.
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New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM), Armidale Credit: Destination NSW
Armidale Conference. Destination NSW. 3-5th September 2018. Photograph Dallas Kilponen.
Enjoy a new kind of arts immersion in the Shoalhaven
Escape to the Shoalhaven on the NSW South Coast to experience one of Australia’s most significant new cultural institutions at Bundanon, a 1,000-hectare estate gifted to Australians by the family of world-renowned landscape artist Arthur Boyd. Anchoring this peaceful bush property which relaunched in 2022, is a sustainably designed art museum featuring changing contemporary exhibitions, with visitors invited to enjoy the serene setting for a longer stay in the striking Bridge wing, housing 32 minimalist-chic rooms overlooking the glorious Shoalhaven River — a vista with plenty of potential to inspire a masterpiece.
Visit new gallery Ngununggula in the Southern Highlands
Reflect on what it means to belong at Ngununggula, a gallery in the lush Southern Highlands which takes its name from the word for ‘belonging’ in the traditional language of the local Gundungurra Aboriginal people. Opened in 2021 in a former historic dairy in Bowral, a popular weekend escape just a 90-minute drive south of Sydney, the state-of-the-art venue features four gallery spaces showcasing a program that represents the region and beyond through significant exhibitions, artist-led projects, live events, workshops, artist talks, and public programs, all designed to connect visitors with art and ideas.
Fishing, Shoalhaven River Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a day on the Shoalhaven River near Nowra.
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Fishing, Shoalhaven River Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a day on the Shoalhaven River near Nowra.
Celebrate outback art in Broken Hill
Discover why the Outback NSW outpost of Broken Hill is known for its creativity at the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery (BHRAG), housed in a heritage-listed emporium. Be mesmerised by the permanent collection of the state’s oldest regional gallery, including works by modern masters like Arthur Streeton and Margaret Preston, contemporary artists such as Abdul-Rahman Abdullah and Elisabeth Cummings, and a rich collection of works by leading Indigenous artists including Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri and local Barkindji Elder Uncle Badger Bates. Rounding out its annual program are exhibitions by local artists, touring shows and two prestigious prizes: the Pro Hart Outback Art Prize and the Maari Ma Indigenous Art Awards (MMIAA). Channel your inspiration into one of BHRAG’s regular workshops.
Be wowed by Aboriginal art in Moree
Indulge a love of Aboriginal art at the Bank Art Museum Moree (BAMM) in the state’s northern wheatbelt, which holds one of the most significant collections of contemporary Indigenous art in regional NSW. Admire works by the likes of local painter Margaret Adams and visionary photographer Michael Riley, complemented by contemporary works by Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists from the region and beyond. Operating in a beautiful old candy-coloured bank building in central Moree dating from 1911, the gallery also hosts regular art workshops and tours. Relax after your art experience with a restorative dip in Moree’s famous artesian waters.
Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery, Broken Hill Credit: Destination NSW
Artwork and sculptures on exhibition at the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery.
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Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery, Broken Hill Credit: Destination NSW
Artwork and sculptures on exhibition at the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery.
Admire wearable art in Griffith
Be charmed by the Griffith Regional Art Gallery (GRAG) before you even step inside, with this distinctive pink art-deco arts space known for its two permanent collections, the National Contemporary Jewellery Award Collection and a Couture Collection representing the life’s work of fashion designers Ross Weymouth and John Claringbold. After admiring the Riverina gallery’s glittering jewellery, gorgeous gowns, touring exhibitions and works by local artists, treat yourself to a memorable keepsake from the gift shop. The store features a range of handcrafted and artisan products from carved wooden bangles to resin bowls, with many items made by artists from Griffith, a six-and-a-half-hour drive southwest of Sydney.
Griffith Regional Art Gallery Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a visit to the Griffith Regional Art Gallery.
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Griffith Regional Art Gallery Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a visit to the Griffith Regional Art Gallery.
Peppers Craigieburn, BowralCredit: Destination NSW
The heritage property at Peppers Craigieburn, Bowral.
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Promenade back in time as Netflix’s Regency-era romp returns for Season Three, escorted by the elegant Bridgerton in Bowral extravaganza from 16-23 April. And whether you’re visiting The Ton for these enchanting festivities or simply searching for a sophisticated sojourn, all year round Bowral offers decadent feasts, opulent stays, charming countryside and more – all just 90 minutes from Sydney. Read on, Gentle Reader, to learn why the Southern Highlands are the Diamond of the Season and beyond.
Make your grand entrance
Emerald hills garnished with vineyards, grand estates and a bewitching village atmosphere… Bowral’s highlights harken back to a most refined moment in history – and now they’re celebrating Bridgerton’s greatly anticipated return with a host of soirees. As befits such a momentous occasion, Empire Cinemas Bowral will host four exclusive screenings for The Ton before the new episodes hit Netflix (from May 16). Plus, you’re cordially invited to a Regency-themed Garden Party amid the stately grounds of the Milton Park Country House Hotel, where you’ll see and be seen in sprawling formal gardens, and enjoy a host of Bridgerton-themed entertainment. Nearby, Retford Park also entices with a picturesque 1887 homestead, self-guided art trail and a picnic-perfect historic garden for all seasons.
Bendooley Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic grounds of Bendoley Estate, Berrima.
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Bendooley Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic grounds of Bendoley Estate, Berrima.
Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic grounds of Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa, Bowral.
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Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic grounds of Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa, Bowral.
Sip your way around The Ton
Raise a toast to Lady Whistledown’s long-awaited new chapter with Sohi’s mouth-watering tipples – their premium gin, vodka and vermouth are available to quaff all over town, including at Hearth by Moonacres, Bistro Sociale and The Royal Hotel. And, let your thirst for discovery lead you along the Southern Highlands Wine Trail, where you’ll sample the region’s cool-climate drops at more than 60 vineyards and 15 cellar doors. Swill Tempranillo, Chardonnay, Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Gris, Pinot Meunier, Albariño, Pinot Noir and Gewürztraminer at Centennial Vineyards; unwind between the vines at the grand Bendooley Estate; and clink glasses at Mount Ashby Estate, where red, white and culinary delights are served alongside French antiques and lashings of bucolic charm.
Shall we promenade?
Whether you’re courting a suitor or slipping out of the drawing room for fresh air, a gentle wander is one of life’s simple pleasures. Take a leisurely turn through historic Berrima; Australia’s best-preserved Georgian village unveils an intriguing selection of Regency-era relics, including the 1830s Courthouse, convict-built Surveyor General Inn and the National Trust-listed Harper’s Mansion. Bask in the majesty of manicured gardens in Bowral, Mossvale, and Robertson, where lavish plantings reveal nature’s extravagance – especially during the Tulip Time festival each spring. Afterwards, assemble your favourite dukes and duchesses to while away the day with croquet, cycle between quaint villages, or saddle up your trusty steeds for a relaxing meander along the Canyonleigh Trails.
Centennial Vineyards, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a romantic getaway at Centennial Vineyards, Bowral.
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Centennial Vineyards, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a romantic getaway at Centennial Vineyards, Bowral.
Bendooley Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
Autumn at Bendooley Estate, Berrima.
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Bendooley Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
Autumn at Bendooley Estate, Berrima.
Discover the talk of The Ton
Bowral boasts a bounty of treasures old, new and noteworthy if you’re seeking a modiste-crafted frock for your society debut, exploring the arts, or collecting key pieces to makeover your manor. Start with a visit to Dirty Janes, a unique marketplace where 90 individual sellers peddling all manner of retro, vintage, antique and artisan-made finds. Indulge your guilty pleasure for scandalous storytelling at Books Ever After, a romance-genre specialist home to an impressive selection of special editions to tantalise your imagination. And, take your cue from Bridgerton’s elite and let your impeccable taste in art and furnishings do the talking. The Ngununggula Southern Highlands Regional Gallery, Bowral Art Gallery and Milk Factory Gallery showcase the cultured art and soul of this inspired region, while Suzie Anderson Home has a wide range of premium style essentials to create your own Regency-influenced sanctuary.
Retreat to elegant chambers
From plush private residences to luxe suites catering for your every whim, the Southern Highlands offers a host of auspicious accommodations worthy of society’s highest echelon. Revel in the prestige of a grand estate to call your own on the grounds of The Rift Estate. This palatial 19th Century mansion presents a self-contained Coach House to accommodate 13 people, complete with cosy fireplaces, claw-foot bathtubs and lush lawns perfect for croquet and bocce. For a gracious stay amid rustic vistas reminiscent of the English countryside, look no further than the five-star boutique hotel, Osborn House. Nearby, the chic comforts continue at the Georgian Moss Manor, where thoughtful creativity and interior design unite for an exclusive art-hotel experience. Around the town, the historic flair also rolls into the early 20th Century, with the Berida Hotel, Peppers Craigieburn and the Links House Hotel delivering memorable stays where modern amenity and heritage flourishes converge. Wherever you choose to rest your tiara-toting head, you can find your own Bridgerton in Bowral all year round.
Osborn House, Bundanoon Credit: Stephanie Hunter
One of the Premier Suites at Osborn House.
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Osborn House, Bundanoon Credit: Stephanie Hunter
One of the Premier Suites at Osborn House.
Bradman Museum, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
Exploring sporting history at the Bradman Museum, Bowral, Southern Highlands
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Bradman Museum, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
Exploring sporting history at the Bradman Museum, Bowral, Southern Highlands