Bendigo to the Yarra Valley Victoria’s regional galleries
$3,790 pp, twin share $680 single supplement
October 18-25 2018
Get to know • The impact of the Victorian Gold Rush on colonial art and architecture • The role of the bush and the beach in creating Australia’s visual identity • Cutting-edge contemporary sculpture and painting in superb natural settings • The patronage of the visual arts by prominent Australians, ranging from Nellie Melba to the Besson family • Hanging Rock, the backdrop to Joan Lindsay’s book Picnic at Hanging Rock • Great food and wine along the Bellarine Peninsula and Yarra Valley
Overview The small cities of the countryside and coastline surrounding Melbourne have a wealth of cultural sites to tempt visitors. Chief among them is an outstanding collection of regional and private galleries. This new itinerary gives art lovers the chance to sample a range of Australia’s best smaller galleries as well as enjoying varied scenery, great food and wine. Background talks and meetings with gallery directors and curators will add depth and context to the works we explore.
Highlights > Regional galleries in the goldfields towns of Bendigo and Ballarat > The wineries and landscapes of the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas, on either side of Port Phillip Bay > The McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park and Tarrawarra – two of Australia’s leading private galleries > Dame Nellie Melba’s former estate in the Yarra Valley > Heide Museum of Modern Art – celebrating Nolan, Albert Tucker and the thoroughly modern Reid family > The Lyon Housemuseum in Kew, an architect’s home bursting with contemporary art
Your tour leader
Dr Nick Gordon has a University Medal and PhD in history from the University of Sydney. Having taught at university for 10 years, he now leads tours exclusively for Academy Travel. An intimate knowledge of art gained from being a painter complements his academic background.
Getting there The tour begins and ends at Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport. Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar have regular flights from all over Australia. Contact us for quotes and bookings.
Fitness requirement
Itinerary Days 1–2: Explore the superb Bendigo Regional Gallery and take an afternoon excursion to the goldfields town of Castlemaine. Day 3: Spend the day at the Bendigo and Geelong galleries, both highly regarded, before heading to the Bellarine Peninsula. Days 4–5: Take the ferry crossing to Sorrento, visiting the Mornington Peninsula Gallery and McClelland Sculpture Park. Days 6–7: Enjoy lunch at Tarrawarra Gallery in the Yarra Valley. Visit Nellie Melba’s estate and sample some of the region’s great food and wine. Day 8: Visit Heide and the Lyons Housemuseum in suburban Melbourne. More details at academytravel.com.au
Bendigo (3)
VICTORIA Heide Museum
Ballarat Melbourne
Yarra Valley/ Healesville
Geelong Mornington (3)
Queenscliff (1) Sorrento
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