Insider tip: Murwillumbah + Margret Olley Center

So, then we set off to our first destination, the legendary Byron Bay, about 350 km away. First, we took the M1 towards Brisbane, with lots of stops and starts. Just like traffic in Germany, unfortunately, traffic in Australia, a country with only 25 million inhabitants, has increased tremendously in the last 20 years.

However, I had planned a detour to the picturesque hinterland. Specifically, to the Tweed Gallery & Margret Olley Centre. As it turned out, it was a great tip from my Noosa Arts & Crafts colleagues!

The journey took us through green rolling hills, past lush pastures with cows of every color, typical Australian farmhouses, along winding, steep paths through palm forests, past huge purple bougainvillea bushes, into the idyllic town of Murwillumbah. We were in awe of the beautiful landscape! If you want to experience typical Australia, you should make this detour!

The Tweed Gallery is also absolutely worth a visit: In addition to paintings by exciting Australian contemporary artists like Vicki Stavrou, the highlight of the modern gallery with a café is dedicated to the Australian art icon: Margret Olley.

Margret's paintings are mostly vibrant, colorful still lifes with influences from impressionism and expressionism. However, Margret Olley has developed her own very distinctive and lively style. Two rooms have been faithfully recreated to better understand her lifestyle and painting. Very impressive!

And absolutely worth seeing, not only for art enthusiasts!