the Central West

Day 1 | Saturday 8 May
Sydney to Mudgee
The dramatic escarpments, shifting light and distinctive flora of the Blue Mountains have long attracted Australian artists. From the late 19th century, the region developed a flourishing creative community, with figures such as Norman Lindsay helping to shape the nation’s artistic identity. Meeting at Sydney’s Central Station this morning, we first travel by coach into the Blue Mountains to the Norman Lindsay Gallery at Faulconbridge. Housed in the artist’s former home, the gallery offers insight into his prolific and often controversial career spanning painting, drawing, sculpture and literature. We then continue to the historic Hydro Majestic at Medlow Bath for high tea, accompanied by sweeping views across the Megalong Valley, before our journey takes us through Lithgow and the Central West to Mudgee. Arriving in the early evening, we conclude the day with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Mudgee (HT, D)

Day 2 | Sunday 9 May
Gulgong and the Central West
The gold rush settlements of the Central West preserve a vivid record of 19th-century Australia, when new discoveries transformed the region’s economy, population and landscape. Among them we find Gulgong – one of the most intact gold rush towns in New South Wales. Travelling here this morning, we stop enroute at a rural property near Guntawang for a private visit, exploring its colonial history and connections to the surrounding goldfields. We then continue to the Gulgong Holtermann Museum, whose remarkable collection of 19th-century photographs provides an unparalleled visual record of life in Australia’s mining settlements. Originally created to promote the colony at international exhibitions, the collection is now recognised by UNESCO for its historical significance. Returning to the Mudgee region after our visit, we enjoy a long lunch at Zin House, where a seasonal menu showcases local produce of the region. The remainder of the day is then at leisure after returning to our hotel. Overnight Mudgee (B, L)

Day 3 | Monday 10 May
Hill End & Sofala
Once one of the richest goldfields settlements in New South Wales, Hill End later emerged as an important centre of Australian artistic practice. From the mid-20th century, painters, printmakers and photographers were drawn to its isolation and remarkably preserved colonial landscape, establishing studios in former miners’ cottages and abandoned buildings. Venturing out to Hill End today, we travel via Hargreaves and pause at Golden Gully, whose eroded landscape evokes the environmental transformation brought about by the gold rush. On arrival into Hill End, we first visit La Paloma Pottery, established by Mexican-born potter Lino Alvarez and his partner Kim Deacon. A talk and studio visit introduce Alvarez’s practice, followed by an exploration of the property’s original 1862 miner’s cottage. After a break for lunch in town, we take a guided walk through Hill End before following the Turon River towards Sofala for a private visit to the studio and home of painter Amanda Penrose Hart. The recipient of several major Australian art awards, including the Clayton Utz Art Prize, Calleen Art Award and Gallipoli Art Prize, Penrose Hart is known for her energetic responses to landscape and place. A special dinner is served in her studio before we return to Mudgee in the evening. Overnight Mudgee (B, D)

Day 4 | Tuesday 11 May
Bathurst
Established in 1815 following the European crossing of the Blue Mountains, Bathurst played a central role in the expansion of inland New South Wales and grew rapidly during the gold rushes of the mid-19th century. Its colonial architecture now forms the setting for a lively contemporary arts community. Departing Mudgee this morning, we travel south to Kelso on the outskirts of Bathurst for a private visit to Rosemont, the heritage-listed home and studio of potter Peter Wilson. Built in the 1840s, the property provides an atmospheric setting in which to explore Wilson’s practice over morning tea as he introduces his work and gives a pottery demonstration. We then continue into central Bathurst, with free time for lunch along Keppel Street before our afternoon behind-the-scenes tour of the Central Tablelands Collections Facility. Here we enjoy a private conservation demonstration and viewing of selected objects, including works connected with the Hill End artistic community. In the evening, we make our way to the historic Bishop’s Court Estate, where owner Christine Le Fevre hosts drinks and canapés in the garden courtyard, followed by a four-course dinner with matched wines in the beautiful chapel. Overnight Bathurst (B, D)

Day 5 | Wednesday 12 May
Orange
The fertile landscapes of the Central Tablelands have long sustained both agricultural production and artistic practice. In recent decades, Orange has developed into an important regional cultural centre, supported by a growing community of artists, galleries and museums. Departing Bathurst, we first travel to the rural property of Colleen Southwell. A paper sculpture artist and garden designer, Southwell’s work reflects close observation of her surrounding garden. During our visit, we explore the relationship between her artistic process and the landscape in which it is embedded. Continuing to Orange, we visit the Orange Regional Gallery whose collection includes significant works by leading Australian artists. After a break for lunch nearby, we continue to the Orange Regional Museum. Later, we transfer to our hotel, with the evening at leisure. Overnight Orange (B)

Day 6 | Thursday 13 May
Millthorpe
One of the best-preserved 19th-century villages in the Central Tablelands, Millthorpe retains a remarkably cohesive streetscape of bluestone and timber buildings shaped by the prosperity of the gold rush and the agricultural economy that followed. After a relaxed morning in Orange, we travel to Millthorpe and visit the local museum, whose collections trace the village’s early industries, domestic life and development. We then take a guided heritage walk through its historic streets, including a visit to the School of Arts building and time to browse The Bower antiques store. Following free time for lunch and independent exploration, we conclude our visit at the Angullong Wines cellar door for a tasting, learning how the region’s cool climate and volcanic soils influence its distinctive varietals. We return to Orange in the afternoon with time at leisure before walking to the Union Bank for dinner, housed within a historic bank complex. Overnight Orange (B, WT, D)

Day 7 | Friday 14 May
Sydney via Lithgow
The western slopes of the Blue Mountains mark a transition between coastal New South Wales and the inland regions of the Central West, a landscape that has supported both industry and, more recently, a growing contemporary arts presence. Lithgow, historically associated with mining and manufacturing, is now home to emerging cultural initiatives that reflect this shift. Returning to Sydney today, we first arrive at Lithgow to visit the Gang Gang Gallery – a contemporary art space housed within the former Theatre Royal building. During our visit, we are introduced to the gallery’s program and its role in fostering artistic activity in the region, followed by time to explore the current exhibitions. A long lunch is then enjoyed within the gallery itself, drawing on local produce and offering a final opportunity to reflect on the themes explored throughout the tour. On our final return to Sydney we stop at Govetts Leap lookout for sweeping views across the Grose Valley before arriving at Central Station in the early evening. (B, L)