Five regional art galleries to explore this weekend

These art houses, often housed in restored historic buildings, contain some real gems, whether they are by famous artists or creative contemporaries. So even if you’re just passing through or want to make a special drive, here are five regional galleries worth tracking down.

The Gold Rush town of Ballarat is dripping in history so it’s no surprise it has Australia’s oldest regional art gallery. Founded in 1884 by wealthy gold-digger James Oddie, it houses a wonderful collection of early colonial paintings by the likes of Eugene Von Guerard, impressionist Tom Roberts and even the original Eureka Stockade flag. There are also contemporary exhibitions, plus a free gallery tour run by friendly volunteers every day at 2pm.

Geraldton is just over 400km up the coast from Perth and is a natural stopover for anyone doing a round-Australia trip. Its municipal art gallery is a cracker: housed in the old town hall, it has a permanent collection of around 500 paintings, including those by artists such as Tracey Moffatt, Hans Heysen and Norman Lindsay. But it is also the community arts hub and there’s always something going on, including temporary exhibitions curated by bigger national galleries.

Just because Broken Hill has a reputation as a wild-west frontier mining town doesn’t mean it hasn’t got culture. Perhaps it’s the stark desert light or the colours of rocks, dirt and sky but the town has spawned some great artists, many of whom are on display at the regional gallery. Housed in a restored grocer’s shop you’ll see works by local artists including Pro Hart and Sam Byrne, plus famous Australian painters like John Olsen, Rupert Bunny and Arthur Streeton. The works of some of the country’s best indigenous painters will leave you dreaming of a return visit.

While most people head to far north Queensland for the sun and beaches, in Townsville you can also get a taste of the area’s rich history at the magnificent regional gallery. Housed in a lovely 1880s bank building, the gallery has a permanent collection of over 2000 works, some of which trace early colonial roots, indigenous culture and life in the tropics. Contemporary exhibitions change constantly, there are volunteers to show you around and for a dose of colour and culture it’s a must-see attraction.

Burra’s art gallery may not be Australia’s largest, but it is surely one of the most charming. The sleepy town is on the way to the Flinders Ranges and the 1860 Post and Telegraph Office building has two exhibition spaces that house historical works from the mid-north of South Australia (and four original ST Gill watercolours from the mid-19th century) as well as travelling exhibitions.

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