ArtandCulture, Port Macquarie

The award-winning Richmond River Historical Society Museum has one of the best historical collections in regional Australia. The museum is located in the heritage-listed former Lismore Municipal Building, with the main exhibition displayed within the old Council Chamber. Panels of local rainforest timbers line the walls of the museum. https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/lismore-area/lismore/attractions/lismore-historical-society-and-museum

Lismore Regional Gallery’s Mission is to facilitate the exchange of ideas locally and nationally through a distinctive and innovative program of exhibitions and events. Lismore Regional Gallery is the oldest cultural organisation in the Northern Rivers. Established in 1953, and opened by then Director of the Art Gallery of NSW, Hal Missingham, they have played an active role in the cultural life of their community for generations. https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/lismore-area/lismore/attractions/lismore-regional-gallery

Come and discover the hidden underground street art culture of The Back Alley Gallery in Lismore. The Back Alley Gallery is transforming the laneways of Lismore. You cannot walk down the streets without finding something new on the walls. There are over sixty artworks including large scale murals, graffiti art, paste ups, stencils and installations. This outdoor art gallery is here for the community to enjoy and to see that street art is alive, thriving and an important part of the local art scene. https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/lismore-area/lismore/attractions/the-back-alley-gallery

Serpentine Gallery is a local artist's initiative dedicated to showcasing the diverse artistic creations of local emerging artists. The gallery supports artists of all mediums and is dedicated to building a strong artist community in the Northern Rivers. The gallery has approximately 180 artists on their register and supports all styles of art. The gallery has been operating since 2006 and has developed a reputation for displaying emerging artists who are still raw, who are not affected and are freely expressing themselves. https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/lismore-area/lismore/attractions/serpentine-gallery

Fusing ancient and modernist influences, and situated on a site sacred to the Gadigal people for thousands of years, the sculptural elegance of the Sydney Opera House has made it one of the symbols of twentieth century architecture - a building that, to quote US architect Frank Gehry, “changed the image of an entire country.”https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/our-story.html

With many things to do and see, a great way to see The Rocks is on foot. There are markets, museums, galleries and delicious food and wine experiences. Take a self-guided tour or join The Rocks Walking Tours. The I’m Free Tour starts at 6pm from outside Cadmans Cottage, built in 1816. Dave’s Pub Walks will take you to the colonial pubs in the area. The Rocks Dreaming Aboriginal Heritage Tour provides insights into indigenous culture. In a restored colonial sandstone warehouse is The Rocks Discovery Museum. You can also hire bicycles and pedal around the harbour foreshore. https://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-city/the-rocks

Established in 1827, the Australian Museum (AM) is Australia’s first museum and has been at the forefront of scientific research, collection and education for more than 185 years. Through exhibitions and other public programs the AM continues to inform and amaze generations of visitors about the unique flora, fauna and cultures of Australia and the Pacific. https://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-city/city-centre/attractions/australian-museum

For amazing entertainment, delicious waterside dining and incredible wildlife, Darling Harbour is the perfect destination in the heart of Sydney. Meet penguins and dugongs at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and get up close to koalas and a giant saltwater crocodile at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo. You’ll find plenty more exciting things to do and see, from Sydney Harbour cruises and tall ships at the Australian National Maritime Museum to the Chinese Garden of Friendship, a tranquil haven. You can even walk the red carpet with your favourite star at Madame Tussauds, a wax museum. https://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-city/darling-harbour

Visit or stay at Nan Tien Temple, the largest Buddhist Temple in the Southern Hemisphere. Nan Tien is very different from most tourist attractions because there is so much on offer. The visual delights of grandeur architecture, art and culture including unique exhibitions and festivals, Buddhist festivals, vegetarian culinary delights, educational and healthy lifestyle classes and retreats, accommodation, top class conference and auditorium facilities. There is also the spiritual and religious experience that is unforgettable, and even life changing for some. Pilgrim Lodge, Wollongong's most unique accommodation setting is a 100 room facility, which is open all year round and located in the grounds of the Temple. The lodge overlooks the lotus pond, the peaceful Temple, splendid gardens, the beautiful rolling hills, and famous escarpment of the Illawarra. https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/south-coast/wollongong-and-surrounds/wollongong/attractions/nan-tien-temple

South Bank Parklands is Queensland’s premier lifestyle and cultural destination, open 365 days a year. Its world-class entertainment and leisure facilities include South Bank Parklands, Little Stanley Street, Grey Street and South Bank Cultural Precinct. South Bank Parklands covering 17 hectares of riverfront land, the free swimming facilities, walking tracks, licensed picnic areas and more. It is also home to a year-round calendar of events and plenty of eateries, including the award-winning River Quay. Little Stanley Street known as one of Brisbane’s most popular eat-streets, is bursting with more than 30 cafes, bars and restaurants offering an array of cuisines styles including Vietnamese, Italian and more. Like its sister street Little Stanley, Grey Street is a foodie haven - a stroll along the street will offer you plenty of places to eat. Grey Street is also home to the South Bank Cineplex, which is renowned for its cheap prices. The South Bank Cultural Precinct has something to suit all ages. It includes the Queensland Performance Arts Centre; Queensland Museum and Sciencentre; Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art; and State Library of Queensland. https://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/brisbane/things-to-do/shopping/south-bank-parklands?sc_lang=en-au

Queensland Museum is the State’s centre for natural history, cultural heritage, science and human achievement. Home to permanent and changing exhibitions and collections, the museum also provides innovative public programs, educational experiences plus holiday and early child hood activities. The Queensland Museum is also home to the Sciencentre, where visitors can take part in exciting - and educational - kinetic and interactive displays and experiments. https://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/brisbane/things-to-do/arts-and-entertainment/galleries/queensland-museum-and-sciencentre?sc_lang=en-au

Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) is located across two riverside buildings in South Bank’s Cultural Precinct. QAGOMA presents an evolving program of Australian and international exhibitions, with a focus on the contemporary art of Australia, Asia and the Pacific. Immerse the family in creativity at the Children’s Art Centre and see the best in international film and video at the Australian Cinémathèque. QAGOMA offers cafes, modern dining and shopping to complete your visit. https://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/brisbane/things-to-do/arts-and-entertainment/galleries/queensland-art-gallery-and-gallery-of-modern-art--qagoma?sc_lang=en-au

Nestled on the beautiful banks of Brisbane River (beside New Farm Park) the former power station has become a distinct landmark, both as a stunning industrial creation and as a hub for everything creative. The Brisbane City Council New Farm Powerhouse was designed by Brisbane City Council Tramway architect, Roy Rusden Ogg. At its peak in the post-war years it supplied electricity for the largest tram network in the southern hemisphere. As trams were replaced by buses, it was decommissioned in 1971. The redeveloped Brisbane Powerhouse was designed by Brisbane City Council architect Peter Roy and was opened on 10 May, 2000 by Lord Mayor Jim Soorley. Seven years later the building underwent a further stage of development, re-opening on 6 June 2007 by Lord Mayor Campbell Newman with increased audience capacities, restaurant and bar facilities as well as functions and conference spaces. Brisbane Powerhouse boasts a flexible 400 - 700 seat 'end on' stage theatre, an intimate 200 seat apron stage theatre, an 800 viewer open platform, two restaurants, conference and rehearsal rooms and offices. https://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/brisbane/things-to-do/arts-and-entertainment/heritage-and-architecture/brisbane-powerhouse?sc_lang=en-au

Roma Street Parkland sits on 16 hectares in the centre of the Brisbane CBD and a veritable oasis in the middle of the city. The parklands are adjacent to the Brisbane Transit Centre and Roma Street Station and are considered to be the world’s largest subtropical garden in a city centre. The parklands are home to grassy picnic spots, subtropical plant displays, colourful flower displays, fern groves, rocky peninsulas, barbeque areas and playgrounds for kids.There's something for people of all ages with a visual feast everywhere you look. One major drawcard is the artworks displayed in The Roma Street Parklands. When the site was first developed, 16 Queensland artists were commissioned to create a collection of 15 pieces of works for the parkland. They each tell a story in a different medium including sculptures, mosaic, paving, bronzes and murals.There’s a self guided walk which you can take to lead you past all the different works. http://www.brisbane-australia.com/roma-street-parklands.html

The Goulburn Regional Art Gallery is now over 30 years old. During this period it has curated and presented a rich diversity of exhibitions and public programs and toured its exhibitions throughout Australia. The Gallery has a solid reputation for providing the region with the opportunity to experience and participate in the best of local and national art. The Gallery's primary role being to promote and develop contemporary regional and national art, and to provide a visual art and craft educational resource. https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/country-nsw/goulburn-area/goulburn/attractions/goulburn-regional-art-gallery

EG Twist is a respected Australian artist who works in ink, pastel, watercolour, charcoal and coloured pencils who has been displaying work in art galleries since 1983. His work has been exhibited in Paris, France and New York, USA and he has held successful solo exhibitions in the Blue Mountains, Sydney and the Southern Highlands. The Creative Eye Art Gallery is an exciting opportunity to view a large body of work by this very experienced and talented artist. https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/country-nsw/goulburn-area/goulburn/attractions/creative-eye-art-gallery

Aboriginal Dreamings Gallery in the heart of Gold Creek Village is a must-see destination for Aboriginal art collectors. Aboriginal Dreamings Gallery has been bringing Aboriginal art to Canberra since 1989. Aboriginal Dreamings Gallery has an extensive collection of ethically sourced, original Aboriginal art from most Aboriginal art regions. A feature of the Gallery's collection is the paintings by famous Old Masters comprising important artworks by Rover Thomas, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri, Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula, Ronnie Tjampitjinpa, Ada Bird Petyarre and Eunice Napangardi. https://visitcanberra.com.au/attractions/56b23b8eb042386245d4312e/aboriginal-dreamings-gallery

Trove Canberra is a collective of artists, designers and makers local to the Canberra region with a hidden shopfront in the heart of Canberra's city centre. All products are made in Australia. Trove members work in a diverse range of mediums and create a wide selection of products which make fabulous gifts, lovely additions to your home, or something special just for you. https://visitcanberra.com.au/attractions/58a18f0c0f46d472216b972b/trove-canberra

The Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum was established in 1985 and is a community cultural initiative funded by the Gladstone Regional Council. It is dedicated to promoting art and heritage for and by the communities of the Gladstone Region and Central Queensland, acting as a focal point for the preservation and display of the region's history and cultural heritage. https://www.gladstoneregion.info/gladstone-regional-gallery-and-museum

Melbourne's lower Yarra River is the city's tourism and recreation heart. It hums with activity, on land and water. River boats link the vibrancy of Federation Square, Southgate and Crown. Outstanding dining and shopping opportunities blend with museums, leading galleries, an aquarium, concert halls and theatres to create one of the most diverse visitor precincts in the country. http://yarrariver.melbourne/

A living part of Melbourne's modern Chinatown, the Chinese Museum is a national museum, brought into being in 1985 to document, preserve and display the history of Australians of Chinese descent who have helped shape and develop what it means to be Australian today. An exciting range of changing exhibitions, heritage tours and public seminars are some of the ways by which the Chinese Museum shares the past, culture, and values of Australia's Chinese community with the wider public. Educating existing and future generations of Australians it places importance on our identity and what is means to be Australian. A goldfield's mine re-creation, displays about early Chinese industry such as furniture making and the banana industry, imperial garments and images of the Young Chinese League's debutantes of the 1930s onward, evoke some of the richness of the Chinese contribution to Australia's history. The Museum is also home to Dai Loong and the Millennium Dragon, the largest dragon in the world, which weaves through the streets of Melbourne following a 100 year old Melbourne tradition. The Museum is a popular and important educative resource for teachers and educators alike visited by a huge number of school children 25,000 per annum to learn about multiculturalism, local and Australian history, Chinese arts and culture. http://www.melbourne.com.au/chinese-museum-melbourne.htm

The Queen Victoria Gardens, which are set out on 4.5 hectares opposite the Victorian Arts Centre in St Kilda Road, are Melbourne's memorial to Queen Victoria. The gardens feature trees, roses, flowering shrubs, ponds and flower beds set in manicured lawns. There is a large emphasis on floral displays. Located within the gardens are ornamental ponds and monuments to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII. The Janet Lady Clarke Rotunda is a bandstand erected in memory of a 19th century philanthropist who worked for the welfare of women. The main feature of the gardens is a superb floral clock with 7000 flowering and bedding plants located in front of the King's memorial. The plants are changed twice yearly. The clock was given to the City of Melbourne in 1966 as a decorative timepiece by a group of Swiss watchmakers. The Queen Victoria Gardens are also known for their artwork, including Paul Montfords Water Nymph, which is set in the smaller pond, and two marble busts by Theodore Fink. A contemporary piece by The Genie , a sculpture designed for children to touch and play on. http://www.melbourne.com.au/qvg.htm

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is the oldest and most visited gallery in Australia. Situated over two magnificent buildings – NGV International and NGV Australia – the Gallery hosts a wide range of international and local artists, exhibitions, programs and events; from contemporary art to major international historic exhibitions, fashion and design, architecture, sound and dance. https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/

Heather has been teaching and working in the mosaic art field since 2003. Having created her business ‘Mosaics by the Bay’, Heather spends much of her time following her passion in the mosaic field from her seaside home on Phillip Island, where she also holds her workshops. https://www.visitphillipisland.com/listing/mosaics-by-the-bay/

The Art Gallery of Ballarat, Australia's oldest regional gallery, located in the heart of Ballarat's central heritage precinct, boasts a stunning collection of Australian art. Its busy exhibition schedule makes the Gallery an exciting and dynamic place presenting a range of exhibitions from cutting edge contemporary art to themed shows drawn from the Gallery's extensive collection, and special interest ticketed shows. http://www.visitballarat.com.au/attraction/art-gallery-of-ballarat

Her Majesty's Theatre is one of Australia's most historic theatres. Opened in 1875 Her Maj is the oldest purpose-built theatre building in Australia to have been continuously used as a live theatre venue. The building boasts a beautifully renovated double-balconied auditorium recently re-seated to offer both comfort and elegance while boasting state of the art theatre equipment. The Theatre offers an annual season of touring professional theatre productions, representing a selection of performances from some of Australia's leading theatre companies. Since 1965, Australia's largest and longest-running eisteddfod, the Royal South Street Competitions, have called the Theatre home and occupy the building between mid-August and early November every year. Her Majesty's has been owned and operated by the City of Ballarat since 1990. Today around 300 performances are presented each year. https://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/goldfields/things-to-do/art-theatre-and-culture/performing-arts/her-majestys-theatre-ballarat

Discover the arts and culture of the Mackay region when you visit Artspace Mackay, the regional art gallery and museum in the centre of the city. This architecturally award winning building provides visitors with an opportunity to learn about the people and history of Mackay through the Spirit and Place: Mementos of Mackay exhibition. Group tours can be booked with well trained volunteer guides who will provide visitors with insights into the exhibitions on display. https://www.mackayregion.com/artspace-mackay

Tasmania's Theatre Royal, in Hobart, is Australia's oldest working theatre and one of its most beautiful treasures. 2019 is a very exciting year for the Theatre Royal. Construction work on greatly improved facilities is well underway. When completed, there’ll be a new public entrance providing equitable access, new foyers with bars and new public toilet facilities on every level, a new Box Office and cloakroom facilities. The building works will continue throughout most of 2019, however, the Theatre Royal's exciting Season 2019 is underway! Season 2019 will proudly showcase the best of Australian performing arts companies as well as the best Tasmanian talent. They have a varied program on offer with theatre, ballet, circus, family fun, high drama and comedy. https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/attraction/theatreroyal

Located on Hobart's historic waterfront, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) has recently undergone a spectacular $30 million redevelopment. The second oldest museum in Australia, TMAG has its origins in the collections of the country's oldest scientific society, the Royal Society of Tasmania, which was established in 1843. Opened in March 2013, the redevelopment includes more than 2,000 square metres of new public and exhibition spaces, a centralised visitor services hub and a new Courtyard Café. https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/attraction/tasmanianmuseumandartgallery

Soak up the atmosphere in Salamanca Place, where Hobart’s historic, creative and cultural heartbeats. Once the stomping ground for sailors, whalers and workmen, Salamanca Place in Hobart is now home to a vibrant cultural scene. Pop into warehouse art galleries, theatres, cafés and bars, and pick up boutique jewellery and one-off fashion pieces. Visit on a Saturday and mingle with locals and tourists at the bustling Salamanca Market, or pull up a seat in one of the stylish cafés – the perfect post from which to people-watch. Pick up a pair of glass-bead earrings, a canvas satchel or a quirky print from Spacebar Gallery in Salamanca Arts Centre. Established out of a desire to support independent designers and artists, the centre is housed in a large 1800s sandstone warehouse alongside art galleries, a metal-work co-op and a theatre. https://www.australia.com/en/places/hobart-and-surrounds/guide-to-salamanca-place.html

A stroll through historic Hahndorf's main street is the highlight for many visitors to the region. Settled in 1839 by Prussian Lutherans bravely seeking religious freedom on the other side of the world, Hahndorf's picturesque colonial charm remains remarkably intact. Located just 25 minutes from Adelaide, Hahndorf is Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement and still has a strong German flavour most evident in the smallgoods outlets, bakeries, pubs, restaurants and cafes that line the bustling main street. While its proximity to Adelaide makes Hahndorf a perennial favourite as a day trip destination, most visitors wish they had longer to explore all the township has to offer so consider accommodation from the wide range available. http://www.adelaidehills.org.au/attractions/our-favourites/historic-hahndorfs-main-street#

Hugo Michell Gallery is a privately-owned contemporary art space presenting the work of both established and emerging artists. Situated in Adelaide, South Australia, gallery director Hugo Michell is committed to presenting exciting and innovative work at the forefront of contemporary art across a range of mediums, including photography, painting, digital media, sculpture and installation. https://www.hugomichellgallery.com/

Discover the history of South Australia through the stories of people and communities. The Migration Museum works towards the preservation, understanding and enjoyment of South Australia’s diverse cultures. It is a place to discover the many identities of the people of South Australia through the stories of individuals and communities. https://southaustralia.com/products/adelaide/attraction/migration-museum