Australia: Invitational Art Tour

Depart on an overnight flight from the U.S. to Sydney, Australia.

Lose one day crossing the International Date Line.

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon curator lead tour of the Heide Museum of Art. (4 Nights)

Visit the National Gallery of Victoria (Federation Square) for a tour of Aboriginal and Australian collections. Enjoy a brief afternoon visit to the Australian Center of Contemporary Art before looking at a private collection. Welcome Celebration of Victorian Food and Wine Tasting Dinner at the RACV Club Melbourne–a rare and grandiose affair with the Executive Chef as well as an opportunity to admire many works from the Club’s contemporary art collection.

Head out to the Yarra Valley, the renowned wine region east of the city of Melbourne. Here meet some of Australia’s best-loved native animals at Healesville Sanctuary. Next, visit the Tarrawarra Art Gallery and Winery for an opportunity to enjoy art and wine. Lunch is at the five star Chateau Yering, a beautiful Relais & Chateaux property, before a final stop at Domaine Chandon to taste some fine sparkling wines.

Visit Melbourne’s celebrated Queen Victoria Market. Continue to the State Library of Victoria for a guided tour by the Director of Collections, which includes the picture collection and the Domed Reading Room. In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of the Arcades and Alleyways of Melbourne. This tour takes in Melbourne’s ‘hidden secrets’—the fabulous places that only the locals know about. Discover the city’s celebrated arcades & alleyways, the – home to the café culture, the hippest bars, and more. Next, visit the Gertrude Street Art spaces and a couple of leading local contemporary galleries. Dinner at The Savage Club.

Morning flight to Hobart. Orientation tour of Hobart including views from the summit of Mt Wellington. Enjoy lunch at Meadowbank Estate in the Coal Valley and an opportunity to admire their art and poetry installations. (2 Nights)

Stroll around the harbor front to board your ferry, traveling along the Derwent River to the MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) which showcases the largest private collection of art in Australia. On arrival, private curator-led tour and ‘behind the scenes’ of the galleries of this very avant-garde museum.

Fly from Hobart to Sydney and transfer to your hotel then join a local art guide for a visit to the White Rabbit Gallery – one of the world’s most prestigious collections of contemporary Chinese art. Continue to the Museum of Contemporary Art at the Circular Quay. (4 Nights)

Take a morning flight to Canberra. On arrival meet with the Curator of the Parliament House Collection for a guided tour. This building is recognized as a major international achievement for its use of art and architecture and features many commissioned artworks built into the very fabric of the building. Follow with a visit to the National Gallery of Australia, home to more than 100,000 works of art featuring Australian art, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. Continue to the War Memorial for an afternoon visit. Take a late afternoon flight back to Sydney.

Today’s morning tour begins at Sydney’s historic Rocks area known for its narrow cobbled streets and convict buildings. Start with a private tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House. Then, take a public ferry across Sydney Harbour to Manly Beach with amazing views of the city. Independent lunch during your time at leisure in Manly. Transfer to your hotel by motor coach. Following an early dinner enjoy a performance at the Opera House.

This morning join your art guide for a walking tour of the Historic Sydney buildings in Macquarie Street and then on to the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Here enjoy some morning coffee before meeting with the Curator/Educator for a private tour of the Australian Collection and the Indigenous Collection. A Farewell Dinner tonight at the Summit Restaurant.

Transfer to the International Airport for your flight home.