Let’s Take a Day Trip to Stunning Bundanon
How to spend a day [or more] in this gorge cultural icon
Just a short road trip away from our doorstep, you’ll find one of the coolest art spots in the whole country—Bundanon. It’s not your typical gallery visit, oh no! It’s a full-on adventure waiting to happen. You could easily lose yourself there for a day [or more] with all the awesome stuff to see and do.
Originally the home of famous Australian painter Arthur Boyd it was established as a national trust in 1993 and last year expanded with the opening of the amazing new Art Museum and Bridge.
If you haven’t been to Bundanon before or it’s been a while since your last visit then now is most definitely the time to take a trip.
Here’s a taste of the incredible things you can get up to!
Experience best of Australian art
In Bundanon’s subterranean Art Museum you’ll find loads of amazing contemporary art. The exhibition program changes throughout the year, with plenty of engaging new exhibitions to inspire all visitors.
The Historic Homestead and Arthur Boyd’s Studio
Step inside the Historic Homestead precinct at Bundanon and learn more about the lives of those who lived there. Here you can discover the hidden gems from Bundanon’s Collection, and discover iconic works by the incredible Boyd family. Arthur Boyd’s Studio is a magical opportunity to discover the unique creative world of the artist. Walk through the studio, which sits frozen in time just as the artist left it.
The incredible new buildings
The new Art Museum building and The Bridge are seriously STUNNING! All subterranean and modern with chic angles and interesting materials we cannot tear our eyes away. But it ain’t just about the looks here, designed to celebrate and complement the Shoalhaven surroundings, it’s also got loads of other interesting features.
It’s resilient and resistant to fire and floodwaters, solar powered to save energy, harvests and stores rainwater, uses fancy geothermal heating and cooling to reduce fossil fuel consumption and has its own carbon farming process. We reckon buildings like these are the way of the future and a marvel on their own, not to mention all the cool art inside.
Don’t believe us? Have a little peek for yourself.
Ramox cafe
Seasonal menus, quality produce and locally sourced- all the words we love to hear when checking out a new cafe. We think art gallery cafes just hit different and the Ramox Cafe sure is no exception.
Executive Chef Douglas Innes-Will has a strong knowledge of South Coast produce and makes sure to bring that to everything he serves up. We’re drooling at the sound of the Tilba Dairy halloumi with spinach, honey and pistachio and love the idea of the artist picnic for two to share.
And if you’re feeling thirsty the wine is from local South Coast winery Cupitt’s Estate. We’ve been lucky enough to visit this winery for a tipple before and can confirm it is delish.
The dining events
There are a few wonderful ways you can combine gorgeous art with the art of gorging at Bundanon.
The Twilight Dinner series sounds magnificent, starting with a private viewing of the gallery, followed by a glass of bubbles and an amuse-bouche finishing with a three-course meal overlooking twilight views of the property. All with live music. There’s even a shuttle bus to pick you up and drop you off if you’re staying in Nowra. This is the kind of living we can get behind.
Afternoons at Ramox also sound just delightful with live music from South Coast Musicians and signature Bundanon cocktails. Held on certain weekends throughout the year and no bookings required, hello arvo perfection.
Or stay later with Evenings at Ramox starting early next year. Go all fine-dining for 5 courses of deliciousness and celebrate seasonal produce at its best.
Spend the night
Make it a whole getaway and book an exclusive overnight package. Your stay will include all meals and beverages, tours and eco-friendly accommodation in The Bridge.
Start your adventure with a light lunch at the heritage Homestead followed by a tour of the Homestead and Arthur Boyd’s studio.
You can then choose to join either a guided bush walk through the surrounding National Park or an ink and wash drawing workshop at Bundanon’s riverside beach. In the evening you’ll have drinks, dinner and a chance to mingle with other guests.
The following morning you can join a yoga class before brekkie and afterwards a tour of the latest Art Museum exhibition. These packages run on selected dates throughout the year so make sure to book as soon as you decide you’re going [which is probably right after reading this, right?]
Venue hire
Knowing that a place this gawjus can be booked for events just gets us pumped. Impress your guests at your next conference, retreat, function and of course wedding! There are different spaces around the property you can choose from to host your get-together and honestly we are now obsessed with the idea of saying ‘I do’ at a location like this.
Just look!
Always something on
Apart from all the amazing exploring and dining events we mentioned, there is always something to do and see when you visit Bundanon.
Just look at this staggering list of terrific experiences to be had:
- walking tracks to explore around the property
- intriguing rotating exhibitions
- free behind-the-scenes tours of the museum with the collections manager
- sessions for preschoolers and carers
- yoga sessions
- members evenings
- architecture tours
- poetry readings and workshops
- public talks
- sensory-friendly sessions
- family fun days
- dance performances
- and school holiday programs
With so much happening it’s defo the kind of place we expect we’ll return to regularly
Ok so until we can find a way to set up shop here semi-permanently, we’ll defo be calendar-ing some trips to Bundanon in the veeeeery near future and we hope you will be too.
How lucky are we to have something as fantastic as this so close to home? You can sure bet we’ll be taking advantage of it!
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