2025 CAPITAL PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL
PAINTING LOCATIONS
Locations as PDF Document (without images)
MONDAY – APRIL 21
THE COTTER RIVER & DAM AREA
The Cotter is a 30-minute drive west of Canberra, and is a peaceful riverside setting with autumn foliage and rugged bushland. Cotter Avenue features towering poplars and willows, while Cotter Bend, where the Cotter and Paddy’s Rivers meet, offers a tranquil curve of water and pebble-strewn shores. Further upstream, Casuarina Sands has open grassy areas framed by casuarinas and red-tinged trees, with the mighty Murrumbidgee flowing steadily through.
TUESDAY – APRIL 22
GUNDAROO (1840)
Gundaroo is a charming historic village, surrounded by rolling pastureland and distant blue hills. Its main street is lined with beautifully preserved colonial buildings, rustic stone cottages, and weathered wooden fences. Towering elm and plane trees line the quiet lanes, while nearby grazing land is dotted with hay bales and old farm sheds. Located about a 40-minute drive north of central Canberra
It recently won Bronze in the The Best Tiny Town category at the Top Tourism Town Awards!!
WEDNESDAY – APRIL 23
THARWA
Tharwa is a picturesque rural gem, especially stunning at the peak of autumn colour. The historic Tharwa Bridge spans the Murrumbidgee River, framed by golden poplars, with the nearby Cuppacumbalong Homestead nestled among rolling pastures. Beyond, Smiths Road offers sweeping mountain views, where rugged hills and wide open plains stretch toward the blue-tinged ridges of the Brindabellas, capturing the essence of the Australian landscape. Located about a 40-minute drive south of central Canberra.
THURSDAY – APRIL 24
WESTON PARK
Weston Park peninsula is a lakeside setting, with tree-lined avenues of elm and oak, and towering poplars and maples. At the park’s entrance, Orana Bay offers scenes of anchored boats and poplars reflected in the water. Winding trails in the park lead to secluded inlets along the lake, while two cafés surrounded by gardens provide inviting places to rest and enjoy the surroundings. Located on the western shores of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra’s inner south.
FRIDAY – APRIL 25 ANZAC DAY
THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM
The National Arboretum holds a mosaic of 250 hectares of living forests and gardens offering breath taking views. It is a unique mix of structured plantings and wild, open spaces and is a place of beauty, conservation, and recreation. With views of Canberra and the Brindabellas, it provides a stunning backdrop for our painting sessions. Located in the west of Canberra, about 10 minutes’ drive from the city centre.
SATURDAY – APRIL 26
GOVERNMENT HOUSE
Government House sits on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin and serves as the official residence of Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia. Set within 54 hectares of manicured gardens, the estate features formal gardens with fountains, heritage roses, and intimate garden rooms. Japanese maples, golden elm avenues, and native plantings create stunning autumn displays, while century-old trees dot the sweeping lawns. The historic residence, with its stately Victorian-era façade and grand verandas, provides painters with varied compositional opportunities. Located in the suburb of Yarralumla, approximately 5 minutes from central Canberra.
THE EVENT TERRACE – NATIONAL ARBORETUM
SUNDAY – 27 APRIL
The Event Terrace at The National Arboretum provides a stunning backdrop for the festival’s Quick Draw competition and closing awards ceremony. With its panoramic views, meandering forest paths, and the Discovery Gardens, it sets the perfect stage for our final celebration.
PLEASE NOTE*
While we strive to maintain our planned painting locations, Capital Plein Air Festival reserves the right to modify, relocate, or reschedule painting sites and activities at our discretion due to weather conditions, safety considerations, or other unforeseen circumstances. Any changes will be communicated to registered participants in a timely manner to ensure the best possible plein air experience for all artists.