The Arty Life

Day One

Start your day in Daylesford by fuelling yourself for the gallery-hopping ahead with breakfast at local institution Cliffy’s Emporium. With a history dating back to the 1950’s, Cliffy’s oozes rustic charm. It has also become one of the region’s best-known cafes, with a menu showcasing local produce, including cheese, meat, eggs, oil, honey and preserves. Pick up some locally-made gourmet delights from their shelves to take home with you.

Greg Mallyon is a painter and printmaker who works from his studio in Daylesford. His abstract topographical images are inspired by an aerial perspective of the landscape below. Greg’s extensive travelling has heavily influenced his work and he has exhibited widely internationally, as well as closer to home. To get a glimpse of his vibrant work, visit Greg’s studio in West Street, Daylesford.

Daylesford’s main thoroughfare, Vincent Street, is home to Bromley & Co., a gallery space that displays the diverse artworks of David Bromley along with other select artists. Recognised as one of the most innovative artists in Australia, David is famous for his distinctive themes and unique styles of painting and sculpture work. Peruse this well-curated space and walk away with anything from a Bromley cushion to an incredible one-of-a-kind painting.

A Daylesford icon, The Convent, with its prime position on Wombat Hill overlooking the township, is home to an art gallery, museum and café. Set in beautiful, established gardens, the magnificent building comprises seven gallery spaces with both traditional and contemporary art of varying disciplines, exhibiting both established and emerging artists. With such an extensive collection, you are sure to find something to suit your artistic tastes.

After wandering The Convent Gallery, stroll through the Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens for a bite to eat at Wombat Hill House Café. Surrounded by towering conifers and lush greenery, the café and kitchen garden is run by legendary local chef Alla Wolf-Tasker and the team behind The Lake House, Daylesford. Indulge in delicious seasonal food, including slow fermented sourdough loaves, baguettes, doughnuts and pastries from the Bake House at Dairy Flat Farm. Art and culinary excellence combine here with Allan Wolf-Tasker’s whimsical ‘enchanted garden ’mural painted directly onto the café walls.

After lunch, take a 10-minute drive to Blampied to discover Overwrought Garden & Gallery. specialises in metal sculpture garden art produced by local and visiting guest artists from around Australia. Wander through the sculpture garden, browsing the collection of metal sculpture garden art, before heading indoors to the gallery. Inside you’ll discover paintings, ceramics, jewellery, photography, woodwork, handbags, fibre arts, artisans teas and candles, made by local artists and artisans.

Continue your art journey with a 30-minute drive north to the picturesque, historic town of Maldon and the Cascade Art Gallery. Cascade Art Gallery’s contemporary art space has its unique home in a former church, complete with stained-glass windows and high-beamed ceilings. Exhibiting a range of paintings, prints and sculptures from artists, many of whom live in central Victoria, with exciting new exhibitions on the horizon.

Return to Hepburn Springs, your base for the night, but before checking in, check out Radius Art. The ethos at Radius Art is all about creating an art space for the creative people living within a 50km radius of this Hepburn Springs based gallery. Here you will find an ongoing program of exhibitions, events and workshops that celebrate all that is artistic in our region. Discover a new exhibition every six weeks within the gallery space or peruse for locally crafted goods in the adjoining makers ’store.

Day Two

Located between the historic spa townships of Hepburn Springs & Daylesford, and only a short stroll from the renowned Hepburn Springs Bathhouse, the art filled Hotel Bellinzona is perfect for guests wanting to explore the region. With a range of luxury suites available, relax and unwind in the heated indoor swimming pool, spa or sauna before heading for pre-dinner drink in The Lobby Bar (Fri & Sat, 4pm-late) followed by dinner at onsite restaurant, The Virgin Kitchen (open daily; dinner from 5.30pm). Private dining experiences are also available for larger groups in the Oxford or the Augustus Private Dining Rooms.
Day Two

Start your day with a hearty breakfast back at The Virgin Kitchen, which by day offers a laid-back café-style dining experience. Enjoy great coffee and local bread and produce, including Dr Marty’s Crumpet’s and Istra bacon, whilst taking a second chance to admire the original artwork adorning the walls. Open daily from 8am.

Located between the townships of Daylesford and Trentham, Bullarto Gallery is home to the studio and gallery of realist landscape artist Phillip Edwards. Drawing on the surrounding landscape of the Wombat State Forest, Edwards evokes a deep-rooted sense of his natural environment through his paintings. Edwards also creates sculptures from salvaged objects, timber and steel which are exhibited onsite.

Little Gallery in Trentham, aims to showcase both established and emerging artists, platforming local art in a variety of mediums. Run by artists Helen Cottle, Rose Wilson, Llael McDonald, Ri Van Veen, Larissa Gray and Kim Haughie, the gallery exhibits their own work but also invites guest residencies from other regional artists. Hosting regular fundraising events, this little gallery is doing big things to support its local community.

A short walk from Trentham’s main drag is Agave Print Studio, the home of print artist Dianne Longley. Running since 2014, Agave Print Studios offers workshops for printmakers, studio access and residencies, printmaking collaborations, editioning services and one-to-one tuition, as well as accommodation.

Stop for lunch at the much-loved Trentham icon, the Cosmopolitan Hotel, famous for its seasonal dishes, wood-fired pizza and beautiful beer garden, surrounded by century-old elms. A gathering place for locals and visitors alike, the Cosmo supports local artists hosting regular exhibitions to display their work.

Hit the road again to Pom-Me-Granite Studios in Pastoria East, the contemporary ceramic studio, gallery and workshops space of Emma Jimson. Emma lives, designs, creates, teaches, learns and sells her work from the rural studio on her family’s small farm. Visit for a glimpse into a working ceramic practice and browse the gallery for unique porcelain tableware, fermenting vessels, wooden objects and lavender oil grown and distilled on sight. Classes run throughout the year offering an enjoyable afternoon amongst friends, deep skills for the professional ceramicist or simply an opportunity to lose yourself as you play with clay.

The final stop on your trip is the vibrant township of Kyneton. Housed in the former Ferris auction rooms, The Old Auction House is a multi-use arts precinct, which includes a handmade retail shop, working artist studios and two gallery spaces. The galleries house rotating exhibitions featuring local and national artists of all disciplines. For those with a creative calling, the precinct also offers a variety of workshops in their onsite studios, including leadlighting, printmaking, silversmithing and painting.

The Stockroom gallery, located on Kyneton’s historic Piper Street, boasts the largest privately-owned contemporary art space in regional Victoria. This stylish industrial space, once a butter factory, is the perfect backdrop to highlight local, national and international contemporary artists across all mediums. With exhibition openings every six weeks, Stockroom aims to provide art enthusiasts with a variety of affordable artworks and nurtures emerging artistic talent.

For a unique shopping experience, peruse the wonders of Kabinett, set within the Royal George Hotel. Housing a curated blend of old, new, found and designed furniture and objects, across eras. With an eclectic mix of furniture, homewares, rugs, fragrance, jewellery and accessories to choose from you could be here for a while. Open 7 days 10am-4pm.

After a full couple of days of art-tripping, take a rest in the lush green surroundings of Botanik (upstairs at the Royal George). Offering an extensive menu of delicious cocktails, relax in the plant-filled veranda as you watch the sunset over Piper Street.