Visit the Stanthorpe Art Prize (20 February - 18 April) and celebrate the arts with an art road-trip across South-East Queensland and Northern NSW. 

This itinerary covers 730km. Start at any of the galleries along the route. 

Brisbane

Visit QAGOMA to see the art of Gordon Bennett (until 21 March), or ‘The Motorcycle: Design, Art Desire’ (until 26 April).

Ipswich

Head 45 minutes south-west and stop in at the Ipswich Art Gallery and enter an interactive transport world created in collaboration with illustrator James Gulliver Hancock (27 February to 18 July).

Toowoomba

Drive another 45 minutes west to Toowoomba and explore the vibrant street art along the streets and laneways of this inland city. Guides to some of these works can be found on the Pedestrian, Southern Queensland Country, and Queesland.com websites. Also, check out the Art galleries in the Toowoomba region. If you plan to stay in town a bit longer, you might like to catch a show at the historic Empire Theatre. 

Warwick

Around an hour south of Toowoomba, is the City of Roses - Warwick. The Warwick Art Gallery is featuring the Borderline Art Group (until 6 March) - artists from the Southern Downs & Tenterfield regions, as well as several other exhibitions. 

Stanthorpe

45 minutes further south, Stanthorpe is a true “four seasons” destination. Late summer & early autumn is harvest season for our wine grapes, apples & summer vegetables. 

The Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery hosts the biennial Stanthorpe Art Prize from 20 February - 18 April 2021, featuring artists from across Australia. 

Aside from the Stanthorpe Art Prize, vibrant street art features on walls across the region, and many other galleries and artists reside in the area. Time your visit with one of a constellation of events during the Art Prize exhibition, such as Strange Art After Dark, Sip & Paint, Wearable Art Fashion Show, and more.

As a popular tourist destination, there are many options for activities, wine, gourmet food and accommodation (including dog friendly options). Follow the Strange Bird alternative wine trail and discover rare varieties of wine. 

Tenterfield

An hour south, and over the border into NSW (check if you need a border pass), the historic town of Tenterfield, the birthplace of the Australian federation. Step back in time to explore the lovingly preserved Railway Station, Sir Henry Parkes School of Arts and Centenary Cottage museums. Check out Make It Tenterfield (upstairs from Mitre 10) featuring local arts and craft folk, Gallery 299, and the Artists’ Collective Studio Gallery.

Lismore

Drive 2 hours east through the Great Dividing Range to Lismore, in northern NSW. The Back Alley Gallery is transforming the laneways of Lismore with over sixty artworks. Stop in at the Lismore Regional Gallery to see exhibitions by Karla Dickens, Lucas Wright, Omie Tapa Art, and Verity Nunan. 

Northern Rivers

The Northern Rivers region of northern NSW is a mecca for artists, and the number of galleries in the region is a testament to that. From the Northern Rivers Community Gallery in Ballina, to the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre (featuring the Archibald Prize Regional Tour until 7 March), you’ll find art to suit your taste. Ballina is half an hour east of Lismore, the Tweed region is less than an hour north of Ballina.

Gold Coast

Head an hour north back over the border into Queensland and the Gold Coast. The new HOTA (Home of the Arts) Gallery opens on 10 April, and there is plenty of other cultural events on-site until the new gallery opens. 

Brisbane

One more hour north and you’ll be back at QAGOMA in Brisbane.