Coffee at Lanyon Homestead and the Nolan Gallery

We depart Canberra Airport tracking in a south westerly direction towards the area of Canberra known as Tuggeranong, which sits against the backdrop of the Snowy Mountains. Soon we are in open countryside with Australia's second longest river, the Murrumbidgee below. Lanyon is one of Australia's most historic grazing properties.

Surrounded by a delightful courtyard and located near the historic Lanyon precinct, The Nolan Gallery displays important works by renowned Australian artist, Sir Sidney Nolan. The Gallery's collection includes his first Kelly painting and the first in his Burke and Wills series. The Nolan Gallery also displays changing exhibitions of Australian art, particularly works by Nolan's contemporaries.

The homestead itself dates from the 1850s and has been beautifully restored and furnished. It is set within superb pleasure gardens near the small township of Tharwa located nearby on the Murrumbidgee. The land was occupied by Aborigines for millennia and by European pastoralists for over 160 years. Sheep, cattle and horses still graze on the timbered hills and fertile banks of the river. We land adjacent to an old hedgerow which frames a country house garden containing local produce.

Choose your own way to explore the historic precinct. Lanyon is an excellent collection of historic buildings, cultural landscapes and early objects. The Lanyon Collection holds approximately 3,000 of these artefacts. This is primarily domestic material relating to the 1859 interpretation of the homestead but also includes items from the later interpretation of the 1905 and 1970 periods of residence. The collection also contains agricultural machinery and equipment relating to the early 20th century.

 Take:

• a self guided tour using a free detailed brochure;
• an audio tour of the homestead and courtyard buildings, or
• A guided tour of the homestead with one of our trained, enthusiastic guides.

Take a stroll in the rambling gardens, bring a picnic or enjoy a light lunch in the café. Visit the courtyard outbuildings and exhibitions which focus on aspects of Australian country life.

It is one of the most complete and least altered nineteenth century pastoral properties in the Australian Capital Territory. The integrity of the buildings, the pastoral infrastructure and rural character of the cultural landscape combine to enable Lanyon to convey a rich understanding of many aspects of 19th and 20th century Australian rural life.

Your return flight will take you  along Woden Valley past the Prime Minister's Lodge, Parliament House and over Lake Burley Griffin to the airport.

 

Price: $440 inc GST for up to 3 people (meal price quoted separately)

To book: Call 0412 066 766