★ Great Victorian art galleries

Melbourne is home to one of the highest densities of commercial art galleries in the world – however Victoria’s strong arts scene is not limited to the capital city. Regional Victoria also boasts an impressive selection of art galleries and a program of major international blockbusters from renowned global institutions. And on October 2, the Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA) will open, showcasing local, regional, national and international art in six gallery spaces. Whichever region visitors choose to visit, there is certainly plenty on offer for culture vultures.

Daylesford and the Macedon RangesHome to the highest concentration of creatives in the state, Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges is brimming with artistic options.

Nestled on the crest of Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens,  The Convent Gallery in Daylesford boasts expansive views of the countryside and township below. The multi-award winning gallery is home to decadent retail areas, a restaurant, bar and lounge, restored chapel, nuns’ museum, deluxe apartment and two stunning glass-fronted function spaces. 7 Daly St, Daylesford, Ph: +613 5348 3211.

Acclaimed artists David and Yuge Bromley now call Daylesford home and have created a visual feast that reflects their own lives and passions. Bromley & Co is a unique combination of art gallery, fashion boutique and homewares store and several key artworks have been created especially for the space. Vincent Street, Daylesford, Ph: +61 3 5348 3979.

Geelong and The BellarineSince its establishment in 1896, The Geelong Gallery has amassed a magnificent collection of 19th and 20th century Australian and European paintings and decorative arts. Its collection includes 18th and 19th century English porcelain, British art pottery, colonial Australian silver, as well as contemporary Australian paintings, prints, sculpture and ceramics – with a particular focus on early images of the Geelong region. 55 Little Malop Street Geelong, Ph: +613 5229 3645.

Metropolis Gallery is a contemporary art gallery with an impressive range of Australian paintings, limited edition prints, art glass and jewellery by local and national artists, backed up by an exciting calendar of exhibitions that can be previewed on the website. Metropolis also presents Indigenous Art in association with several Aboriginal Art Centres. 64 Ryrie Street, Geelong, Ph: +613 5221 6505.

Salt Contemporary Art sits pride of place in a historic former drapery store on the main street of Queenscliff. It was established in 2004 and exhibits the works of contemporary Australian painters, sculptors and ceramicists. The gallery offers two levels, the bottom for exhibiting and the top is now an eclectic, stylish, retro bar, serving local wines and cocktails – The Lounge @ Salt. 33-35 Hesse Street, Queenscliff, Ph: +613 5258 3988.

GoldfieldsBendigo is fast gaining a reputation as regional Victoria’s arts and culture capital, largely with thanks to its gallery. Established in 1887, the Bendigo Art Gallery is one of the oldest and largest regional galleries in Australia. Its extensive collection has an emphasis on 19^th century European and Australian art as well as contemporary Australian pieces. Until 27 September 2015, Hiding in Plain Sight: A selection of works from the Michael Buxton Collection will celebrate the 20th anniversary of this major private collection, with an exhibition of works by some of Australia’s leading contemporary artists. 42 View St, Bendigo, Ph: +613 5434 6088.

Australia’s oldest pottery works, Bendigo Pottery has become an arts hub with seven resident artisans and a recently developed antique and collectables centre. Those keen to get their hands dirty can throw a clay pot themselves, while others can watch professional potters at work. 146 Midland Hwy, Epsom, Ph: +61 3 5448 4404.

Established in 1884, the Art Gallery of Ballarat is the oldest and largest gallery in regional Australia. The gallery contains a rich catalogue of Australian art in its permanent collection housed in rooms appropriate to their era. From 2 October -15 November, 2015, the Gallery will host the famous and popular Archibald Prize. The Archibald Prize brings together images of some of the country’s leading celebrities, as seen by our leading artists. 40 Lydiard St North, Ballarat, Ph: +61 3 5320 5858.

GrampiansHamilton Art Gallery is famous for its outstanding international collections of fine and decorative arts, with more than 7500 items. The Gallery’s collection offers Australian paintings of colonial art by Louis Buvelot, Thomas Clark and Nicholas Chevalier and more recent artists such as Sidney Nolan, Arthur Boyd, John Olsen, Howard Arkley and Kathleen Petyarre. 107 Brown St, Hamilton, Ph: +613 5573 0460.

Located in the heart of Ararat in the landmark Town Hall, Ararat Regional Art Gallery offers a varied program encompassing national touring exhibitions, aspects of the permanent collection and exhibitions by visiting textile fibre and regional artists. The Gallery has a unique place among Australia’s public galleries thanks to its longstanding commitment to supporting and promoting textile and fibre art – a curatorial and collection focus that began in the early 1970s. Western Hwy, Ararat, Ph: +613 5352 2836

High CountrySituated in the heart of Victoria’s bushranger country, Benalla Art Gallery occupies a striking modernist building by the lake. Its collection includes paintings, prints, works on paper, textiles, ceramics and sculpture and a tapestry of Sidney Nolan’s Glenrowan, from his Ned Kelly series.  The collection continues to develop with recent acquisitions including outstanding Indigenous and contemporary Australian artworks. Bridge St, Benalla, Ph: +613 5760 2619.

Mornington PeninsulaThe McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery, located at the gateway to the Mornington Peninsula in Langwarrin attracts thousands of people each year to its gallery and beautiful gardens. Set on 16 hectares of bushland, the three indoor art galleries display impressive touring exhibitions as well as an extensive permanent collection of more than 100 works by major artists with the sculpture garden and lake providing a tranquil area for guests to stroll. 390 McClelland Dr, Langwarrin, Ph: +613 9789 1671.

The Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery presents an ever-changing program of world-class exhibitions, from national and state galleries. The gallery presents workshops, illustrated lectures, children’s programs, guided tours and an impressive permanent collection that comprises 1300 works of art including works by Arthur Boyd, Russell Drysdale, Violet Teague, Margaret Preston and Sidney Nolan. Dunns Rd, Mornington, Melbourne, Ph: +613 5975 4395.

The MurrayRecognised as having one of Australia’s most comprehensive collections of native art, the Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery presents an exciting program of touring exhibitions and events throughout the year. With more than 400 items in its growing collection of Australian works on paper, prints and drawings, the purpose-built Gallery is situated adjacent to the Marraboor River. Horseshoe Bend, Swan Hill, Ph: +613 5036 2430.

With an $8.7million re-launch in 2012, Mildura Arts Centre hosts a bold and inventive program that includes dedicated art galleries, a performing arts venue, gardens, sculpture park and ongoing cultural programs. The Centre is just minute from the banks of the legendary Murray River and sprawling town centre. 199 Cureton Ave, Mildura, Ph: +613 5018 8330.

The Shepparton Art Museum has an active exhibitions program that includes curated, local community and touring exhibitions. In addition to the Art Museum’s superb collection of Australian paintings and works on paper, it proudly presents a permanent exhibition that tells the story of Australian Ceramics. 70 Welsford St, Shepparton, Ph: +613 5832 9861.

Yarra ValleyNot usually an art space, the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie will bring together artists and celebrities in Australia’s largest outdoor exhibition, Hop for Hope (1 September – 1 November 2015). The exhibition will feature 40 larger than life kangaroos, decorated, painted and adorned, to raise funds for The Alannah and Madeline Foundation. It’s anticipated more than 200 000 people will visit the exhibition, making it the largest fundraising exhibition in the country. 35 Old Healesville Rd, Yarra Glen (cnr Melba Hway).

Set above the vineyards of TarraWarra Estate, overlooking the rolling hills of the Yarra Valley, the TarraWarra Museum of Art showcases Australian art from the second half of the twentieth century to the present day. Currently being staged is the first major Australian survey of works by renowned contemporary French artist Pierre Huyghe (until 22 November). 311 Healesville-Yarra Glen Rd, Tarrawarra, Ph: +613 5957 3100.

The ideal place to stop between visiting Yarra Valley wineries, the ACME et al Gallery and Cafe in Yarra Glen stretches over two floors and features more than 300 products created by some of Australia’s most exciting and accomplished artists and designers.  There is fine art, editioned prints and sculpture on display and small batch wine, a related bookstore and courtyard café to enjoy. 17 Bell St, Yarra Glen, Ph: +613 9730 1552.