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- A Weekend in Mt. Wilson & Carcoar : Apr 2021
- Mudgee, Rylstone & Wollemi National Park : Apr 2021
- Goat Island Day Tour : May 2021
- Pilliga Forest & Warrumbungles : May 2021
- Kanazawa, Japan : TBA
- Tour Testimonials
- Past Tours
- Hill End Art Retreat : Nov 2020
- The Drawing Rooms of Berry : Oct 2020
- Arting About in Scotland : July 2019
- Norway – Majestic Art & Nature : July 2019
- Red Cow Farm, Southern Highlands : April 2019
- Sado Island Japan : September 2018
- Mudgee : April 2018
- A Weekend in Carcoar : March 2018
- Norfolk Island : January 2018
- The Mergui Archipelago Myanmar : January 2018
- A Walk through the Grampians : May 2017
- A Weekend in Carcoar : March 2017
- Norfolk Island : January 2017
- Kimberley & Purnululu July 2016
- Broken Hill & Beyond
- Flinders Ranges South Australia
- Corner Country NSW 2015
- Turkey & Greek Islands 2015
- The Magic of Turkey in June 2015
- France 2014
- North Vietnam & Laos 2014
- Broken Hill / Flinders Ranges / Mungo National Park
- Hobart 2013
- Andalucia, Spain 2013
- Morocco 2013
- Wanaka, New Zealand 2013
- Andalucia, Spain 2012
- Hill End Art Retreat , 2012
- Ross River, Australia 2012
- Courses
- Creative Wednesday Outdoors : 2021
- Creative Thursday Outdoors : 2021
- Portrait Masterclass with Noel Thurgate : March 2021
- Travel Diary Masterclass with Noel Thurgate March 2021
- Skies and Clouds Made Easy with Susie Murphie : March 2021
- Ephemeral Workshop with Shona Wilson : May 2021
- Paint White Things with Susie Murphie : May 2021
- Water, Rocks and Reflection with Susie Murphie : July 2021
- Life Drawing Workshop with Noel Thurgate : Sep 2021
- Drawing for a Painting with Susie Murphie : Sept 2021
- Tonal Charcoal & Pastel Workshop with Judy Drew : Oct 2021
- En Plein Air Masterclass with Noel Thurgate : Nov 2021
- Watercolour Bootcamp with Susie Murphie : Nov 2021
- WEA courses
- Past Courses
- Pastel & Charcoal Workshop with Judy Drew : Feb 2021
- Flowers and Watercolour Workshop with Susie Murphie : Nov 2020
- En Plein Air Masterclass with Noel Thurgate 2020
- Take a Breather on Clark Island : Sept 2020
- Cats, Dogs and Other Animals – Watercolour Painting with Susie Murphie : Aug 2020
- Paint a Portrait in Watercolour with Susie Murphie : June 2020
- Travel Sketching & Watercolour Workshop with Susie Murphie : March 2020
- Portrait Masterclass with Noel Thurgate : March 2020
- Watercolour Bootcamp with Susie Murphie 2020
- En Plein Air Masterclass with Noel Thurgate : Nov 2019
- Cats, Dogs & Other Animals – Watercolour Painting with Susie Murphie : Nov 2019
- Travel Sketching & Watercolour Workshop with Susie Murphie : February 2019
- Ephemeral Workshop with Shona Wilson : November 2018
- Life Drawing Workshop with Noel Thurgate : September 2018
- Indoor Ephemeral Workshop with Shona Wilson : July 2018
- Pastel and Charcoal Workshop with Judy Drew : September 2018
- En Plein Air Masterclass with Noel Thurgate 2018
- Shark Island & Taronga Zoo 2018
- Watercolour Masterclass with Alvaro Castagnet 2017
- Shona Wilson Ephemeral Workshop 2017
- Portrait Masterclass with Noel Thurgate 2018
- Life Drawing Workshop with Noel Thurgate 2017
- Pastel Masterclass with Judy Drew 2017
- En Plein Air Masterclass with Herman Pekel
- Creating with Nature in Nature with Shona Wilson 2016
- Pastel Masterclass with Judy Drew 2016
- Watercolour Workshop with Joseph Zbukvic
- Life Drawing : Flamenco
- Pastel Masterclass with Judy Drew
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OVERVIEW
Please join me for a city escape to the wide open spaces of the Pilliga Forest and Warrumbungles.
We depart Sydney by train through the Blue Mountains to Mt. Victoria and then by private coach/driver to our destination in the late afternoon. Our accommodation is Barkala Farm – home of Pilliga Pottery – on the edge of the Pilliga Forest near Coonabarabran, an area famous for star gazing by night. Relax in the serenity and take time to walk in nature with wonderful vistas for creating art en plein air. We’ll traverse the Pilliga Sculpture trail, visit Coonabarabran, explore the Warrumbungles by coach and take a class at Pilliga Pottery Studio.

ABOUT
Pilliga Scrub & Sculpture Walk
The Pilliga Forest, frequently known as Pilliga Scrub, constitutes over 5,000 km² of semi-arid woodland in temperate north-central New South Wales. It is the largest such continuous remnant in the state.
www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/sculptures-in-the-scrubwalking-track
Barkala Farm (aka Pilliga Pottery)
is an organic farm and provider of unique eco-friendly accommodation and host to many different wildlife species. Activities are conducted in the most sustainable ways possible. This unique farmstead will inspire those who visit to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. Barkala strives for sustainable buildings, power supplies, waste management solutions as well as fun, interactive activities for guests.
Visit Barkala Farmstay website here.
Pilliga Pottery Studio is part of Barkala farm on the edge of Pilliga forest. All pottery is handmade on site by skilled artisan potters. Designs are original and each piece is unique. The studio began 30 years ago when German immigrants Richard and Maria Rickert began in a mud brick shed. It is now managed by Maria and her eldest son Johannes. We will take a class in the studio and after firing, your piece(s) will be posted to you.
Our driver, Bernie Baker, with 10 seater coach, has driven coaches around Australia for 15 years and knows the areas we will be exploring and passing through. Bernie will choose the best roads to travel if weather is a factor.
The Warrumbungles
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warrumbungles Mt.
Mt.Kaputar National Park
www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/mount-kaputar-national-park
ITINERARY
MON 17th MAY
Depart Central Station 9.18am and arrive Mt. Victoria 11.36am.
Transfer by coach with our driver (Bernie) to Barkala Farm and arrive late afternoon (4 hours approx)
Lunch – The Tin Shed, Lithgow
Accom/dinner – Barkala Farm, home of Pilliga Pottery
TUE 18th MAY
Leisurely breakfast basket and morning class in the Pilliga Pottery studio.
Afternoon visit to Crystal Kingdom and to explore Coonabarabran followed by dinner in town.
Return to Barkala Farm.
WED 19th MAY
Depart after breakfast by coach to the Warrumbungles with picnic lunch. Bring your art equipment!
We’ll visit Mt. Kaputar National Park if time permits. Both destinations are approx 1.5 hour drive from Barkala Farm. www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/itineraries/itinerary-pilliga-warrumbungles
Return to Barkala Farm for dinner.
THU 20th MAY
Leisurely breakfast and then a private guided walking tour of the surrounding area. Visit Pilliga Sculpture Walk with picnic lunch and afternoon of en plein air opportunities.
Return to Barkala Farm for dinner
FRI 21st MAY
Depart Barkala Farm after breakfast by coach to Mt. Victoria for the Sydney bound train.
TOUR INFO
INCLUDED
- Private coach transfer from Mt. Victoria to Barkala Farm on the edge of the Pilliga Forest / return
- All travel by coach
- All meals (4 breakfast /5 lunch/ 4 dinner)
- Private walking tour with guide
- 4 nights (single sup) accom at Barkala Farm Homestay on the edge of Pilliga Forest
- Pottery class in Pilliga Studio
NOT INCLUDED
- train travel ($2.50 seniors) Central – Mt Vic
- train travel ($2.50 seniors) Mt. Vic – Central
- Alcohol
- art materials (en plein air sessions are optional)
PRICE
$1,790.00 single (waitlist)
50% deposit is required when registering for this tour.
Max group size: 10
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