Nine of the best art galleries in regional Victoria

Housed in a distinctive brick art-deco building, Horsham’s gallery punches above its weight on the regional scene, says Mardi. “Their temporary exhibitions are always really cutting-edge and very thought-provoking, and if you’re interested in Aboriginal art and want to know more about the local scene they’re very knowledgeable.” Horsham’s specialty is Australian photography, and the gallery holds works by the likes of Olive Cotton, Bill Henson and Tracey Moffatt in its permanent collection. 

On now: The National Gallery of Australia touring exhibition Body Language (until 16 May) explores Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity through works by artists including Mary Kemarre and Vernon Ah Kee. Presence/Absence (until 28 June) showcases Australian contemporary and historical photography from the Horsham Regional Art Gallery collection.

While you’re there: Try Cafe Chickpea for lunch and Bonny and Clyde’s Pizzeria for dinner, bushwalk in the Grampians or explore western Victoria’s nearby Silo Art Trail.

“Ararat is all about the textile,” says Mardi, in both its permanent collection and temporary exhibitions, and has been the gallery’s focus since textiles made the leap from craft to art in the early 1970s. Ararat’s acquisitions include quilts, tapestries, baskets and experimental mixed media works. Set in a Victorian-era town hall building, which has been recently redeveloped, there are multiple gallery spaces with plenty to take in.

On now: Inga Hunter: Works from the TAMA Collection, until 23 May. Obsessed: Compelled to Make (until 18 July) is an Australian Design Centre national touring exhibition.

While you’re there: Visit the Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre, and if you’re driving from Ararat to Horsham, factor in a photo stop at the Giant Koala at Dadswells Bridge.

Set in a stunning modernist building with a sculpture garden and winery on site, TarraWarra’s collection focuses on modern and contemporary artists such as Arthur Boyd, Sidney Nolan and Callum Morton.

On now: TarraWarra Biennial: Slow Moving Waters (until 11 July) shows new commissioned work from 25 hand-picked artists including Raquel Ormella, Nonggirrnga Marawili and Jonathan Jones. 

Upcoming: From TarraWarra’s First Nations Curator Stacie Piper comes WILAM BIIK (31 July to 7 November), exploring an “unsevered connection between First Peoples of South East Australia and their Country, over thousands of generations”.

While you’re there: Trace the path of art project untitled (seven monuments) which marks the historical boundary of Coranderrk Aboriginal Station. Also drop into Habituel in Healesville for coffee and handmade bread, tarts and pastries, or Four Pillars Gin for award-winning tipples, and stay at RACV Healesville Country Club & Resort.

Set in Mornington’s Civic Reserve, this gallery is known for its  “always insightful” exhibitions, says Mardi, with a focus on paper-based artworks. It runs the National Works on Paper prize and exhibition. The collection includes old master prints and drawings, modern works by Arthur Boyd and a growing body of emerging and established Australian artists.

On now: The Overwintering Project: Westernport (until 23 May) focuses on the migratory shorebirds of Westernport. 

Upcoming: Surreal Landscapes (29 May to 22 August) will include loans and newly commissioned works from nine artists. Wall Drawings (1 September to 21 November) will situate newly commissioned wall-based works by 11 artists throughout the gallery.

While you’re there: Wander through the brilliant sculpture park at Pt Leo Estate, then stay the night at RACV’s stunning Cape Schanck Resort.

As home to the Wall to Wall Street Art Festival, Benalla has reimagined itself as something of a town-wide gallery. The Benalla Art Gallery itself is set in the botanic gardens and its collection includes Australian impressionists such as John Russell and E Phillips Fox, Heidelberg School artists and works by Emily Kame Kngwarreye and Gordon Bennett.

On now: Re-gathering (until 20 June) looks at the local community’s experience of the COVID-19 pandemic via works from its permanent collection and the RACV Art Collection. Robert Jacks: Rhythmic Compositions (until 1 August) explores a leading proponent of Australian abstraction. 

While you’re there: Coffee up at Rustik Cafe and Foodstore, have dinner at the North Eastern Hotel, and take in the North East Victoria Silo Art Trail. 

With Wangaratta Woollen Mills operating in the city for 95 years, and still supplying yarn to commercial and hand-knitters, it’s fitting that Wangaratta's gallery focuses on textile art. It runs a biennial award and exhibition for Australian textile artists.

Now showing: Therese Shanley: From Tullamore to Finch Street (until 16 May) offers a local’s perspective. Wangaratta Contemporary Textile Award and exhibition (5 June to 15 August) will showcase Australia’s textile talent.

While you’re there: Have brunch at Bertsy and Co. near the gallery, take a wander to ogle Wangaratta’s beautiful and blessedly intact heritage homes, pop into local Art Gallery on Ovens, or make a side trip to nearby historic Beechworth.

Australia’s biggest and oldest regional gallery opened in 1884 when the city was a-boom with gold and its original opulent gallery spaces juxtapose with an award-winning modern annexe. Its 11,000-strong permanent holdings range from a comprehensive collection of Australian paintings to works on paper, including political cartoons.

Now showing: Robyn Stacey: As Still as Life (until 4 July) turns a fresh eye on the still-life tradition. Morris Cohen (until 1 August) shows the gallery’s collection of work from Ballarat-born pastellist Cohen for the first time.

While you’re there: Get your coffee fix at Fika Coffee Brewers, wine and graze at Mitchell Harris Wine Bar, and check out the original Eureka Flag at the Eureka Centre. Make a weekend of it staying at RACV Goldfields Resort.

Colonial paintings are a strength of Geelong Gallery’s permanent collection, including works by Frederick McCubbin, Arthur Streeton and Eugene von Guerard, along with modern and contemporary artists including Clarice Beckett, John Brack and Jan Senbergs.

Now showing: RONE in Geelong (until 16 May) is the first major survey of Geelong-born street artist Rone and includes murals painted onto gallery walls as well as early stencils and portraits, and large-scale photographs of his murals in abandoned buildings.

While you’re there: Fuel up at the Hot Chicken Project, and line up a tasting paddle at Little Creatures Brewer

Nineteenth-century international and Australian art are among Bendigo Art Gallery’s strong points, but you’ll also find work from the likes of Tim Maguire, Margaret Preston and Patricia Piccinini. Bendigo’s gallery is also known for bringing blockbuster international fashion exhibitions including Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion and Grace Kelly: Style Icon to Australia.

Now showing: Mary Quant: Fashion Revolutionary (until 11 July) is the gallery’s latest big-ticket fashion exhibition.

While you’re there: Pick up coffee and a pumpkin bloomer at The Good Loaf, wander the city streets for an eyeful of grand boom-era architecture, and check out Chancery Lane’s cafes and street art.