the Central West

Day 1 | Saturday 9 May
Sydney to Mudgee
We meet at Sydney Central Station at 9.20am. Departing by coach towards Leura, we first stop at the studio of Peter Cooley. Widely known since the 1980s as a painter, Peter has now spent a little over a decade committed to his ceramic practice, drawing on his natural environment for inspiration in creating animals with a somewhat ironic Australian salute. We then continue to Medlow Bath in the Blue Mountains for a High Tea at the Hydro Majestic Hotel, an eccentric and legendary institution created by Sydney retailer Mark Foy in the 1920s. In the afternoon, we continue north to Mudgee, our base for the next three nights. Dinner is in a local Mudgee restaurant. Overnight Mudgee (HT, D)

Day 2 | Sunday 10 May
Gulgong and Mudgee
Just north of Mudgee, the town of Gulgong retains an authentic Gold Rush heritage and has several places of interest. On our first stop we visit Guntawang, a property that has a long rich history dating back to the very first land grant and the birthplace of Henry Lawon’s mother. We then visit the Holtermann Collection of photography. The 3,500 images of the people and places of the NSW Gold Rush are an astounding visual record of the time. Originally made for Bernard Holtermann, a German immigrant who struck it rich when he found a 153kg nugget at the Hill End goldfields in 1872, the photographs won a Silver Medal at the 1878 Paris Exposition Universelle Internationale and are today recognised by UNESCO. We return to Mudgee for a long lunch at The Zin House, where we’ll dine in the modern farmhouse, savouring the seasonal farm-to-plate dishes. The later afternoon is at leisure. Overnight Mudgee (B, L)

Day 3 | Monday 11 May
Hill End & Sofala
This morning we take the dramatic back road to Hill End, famous as a Gold Rush town and later as a mecca for the artists who settled in the area from the mid-1950s, seeking to capture and mythologise the spirit of the Australian bush. Thanks to these pioneering artists, the pretty village remains the home of several artists of note. On route, we visit Golden Gully, a much-painted site outside the village and enjoy a well-timed coffee break on arrival. Our first visit in Hill End is to a group of restored English cottages now home to artist Genevieve Carroll and photographer Bill Moseley, who have transformed the site into a vintage-style home and press studio. We continue to La Paloma Pottery, founded by Mexican potter Lino Alvarez and actor Kim Deacon, to see their large-scale pottery and historic miner’s cottage. After lunch in town, we stroll through Hill End, tracing the paths of gold seekers and artists alike. Later, we travel to Sofala to visit the home and studio of landscape painter Amanda Penrose Hart, 2017 Gallipoli Art Prize winner, and enjoy a gourmet dinner prepared by the artist herself. We return to Mudgee in the late evening. Overnight Mudgee (B, D)

Day 4 | Tuesday 12 May
Bathurst
This morning we depart Mudgee and travel south through rolling countryside to Bathurst, Australia’s oldest inland settlement. Established in 1815 as a frontier post, Bathurst grew rapidly during the gold rush of the 1850s. In more recent decades, the town has developed a reputation as a vibrant regional arts hub, with a growing community of contemporary artists, craftspeople and institutions. As we arrive on the outskirts of Bathurst, we visit Rosemount Pottery – the studio of renowned potter Peter Wilson, whose work draws on local materials and traditions to produce elegant, functional ceramics. We then venture into Bathurst itself for free time to explore and enjoy lunch at your leisure, followed by an afternoon spent at Bathurst Regional Art Gallery (BRAG). One of the oldest regional galleries in NSW, BRAG is known for its collection of “Hill End” artists of the mid-20th century, including Russell Drysdale, Donald Friend and Jeffrey Smart. This evening we gather for dinner at Cobblestone Lane, one of the town’s most highly regarded local restaurants. Overnight Bathurst
(B, D)

Day 5 | Wednesday 13 May
Orange
Departing Bathurst for Orange today, enroute we visit the home and gardens of Colleen Southwell, located in the picturesque Central Tablelands of New South Wales. A professional paper sculpture artist and garden maker, Colleen invites us into her tin cottage studio, hugged by her country garden, where she explains her meticulous art making process, inspired by nature, both wild and cultivated. On arrival in Orange, we visit its excellent Regional Gallery, re-opened in early December 2021 after an extensive refurbishment. The Orange collection includes important works by Sydney Nolan, John Olsen, Roland Wakelin and others. After a quick break for lunch, we finish the day in the award-winning Orange Regional Museum before checking into our hotel. Overnight Orange (B)

Day 6 | Thursday 14 May
Millthorpe
After a leisurely start to the day, we travel to the heritage-listed village of Millthorpe, nestled in the cool-climate wine region of the Central Tablelands. On arrival, we enjoy a guided heritage walking tour, uncovering the town’s rich 19th-century history and well-preserved streetscape. There’s time for lunch at your leisure and to explore Millthorpe’s galleries and boutiques, before our afternoon visit to the Angullong Wines cellar door, housed in a striking bluestone building dating from the 1800s. After sampling a selection of their wine varietals, we learn more about the family-owned winery, which produces acclaimed cool-climate styles from vineyards located at the base of nearby Mount Canobolas, an ancient volcano that enriches the region’s soil and character. Returning to Orange, there is time to relax and freshen up in our hotel before we enjoy dinner together at the historic Union Bank Restaurant, featuring a seasonal menu paired with local wines. Overnight Orange (B, WT, D)

Day 7 | Friday 15 May
Sydney via Lithgow
Departing Orange today, we make our way to Lithgow on the western slopes of the Blue Mountains. Here we visit the Gang Gang Gallery – an exciting new contemporary art space and studio housed in the Old Refreshments building of the Theatre Royal. Owner Sharon Howard, alongside assistant curator Wendy Carson, will welcome us with an introductory talk followed by a guided tour of the gallery. We’ll then enjoy a private Art Club long lunch in the gallery’s inspiring setting, featuring fresh local produce sourced from nearby markets. Before returning to Sydney, we’ll make a brief stop at Govetts Leap Lookout to take in the breathtaking views. Our arrival at Sydney Central Bus Station is expected around 6.00pm. (B, L)