The 2026 Queanbeyan-Palerang Arts Trail is shaping up to be a fabulous celebration of the Arts in the region! With over 40 venues and activations registered to participate over three big weekends this October; in Braidwood - 3 & 4, Bungendore – 10 & 11, Queanbeyan – 17 & 18. This year we have innovative new activations and venues, with the 'Sculpture at the Cellar Door' hosted by Lark Hill Winery and Aranya Acres in the hills above Bungendore, and 'Blessing of the Bikes' in Captains Flat, initiated by its famous hotel.
Significantly, this year the Arts Trail celebrates its 20th year in Queanbeyan. To help kick off this milestone event, the Arts Trail program will be launched at The Q Exhibition Space in Queanbeyan on Tuesday 29 September from 5:30pm. At this year's launch two exciting exhibitions will be opened in our civic precinct galleries. 'The Places that Shape Us' in The Q Exhibition Space by local Braidwood artist Ray Monde will showcase large-scale immersive collaged panels examining queer lived experiences in regional Australia. 'Beyond Clear Waters' by Jerrabomberra artist Jenny Sheppard presents paintings of Queanbeyan and beyond, in the LinQ Gallery. These two local artists are indicative of our regional creatives with unique talents that connect to their local environs, and which they bring forth into their work. These are exhibitions not to be missed!
Your Arts Trail journey starts in historic Braidwood on October 3 and 4, with a broad creative offering, spanning ceramics, collage, antiques, printmaking, performance, photography and much more. You can wind your way through unique venues, from music performance in the local museums Oddfellows Hall, to an artist in residence at the local gin distillery for the Arts Trail weekend. There are also several artist home studios open for the weekend and a collective of up to 20 artists exhibiting at the Braidwood Regional Arts Group Gallery with works on paper, at affordable prices all under $150.
When you rejoin the Arts Trail in Bungendore on October 10 and 11, you will need to sample not only the art but some of the best wines of the southeast region. The inaugural 'Sculpture at the Cellar Door' is joining this year's Arts Trail, bringing sculpture into the vineyards of the Queanbeyan-Palerang wineries. This has been a goal of Janita Byrne the Arts Trail Coordinator for some time… 'I'm so excited that this year we have managed to get sculptures into the vineyards for our Arts Trail, it is a fabulous pairing for our regional agribusiness and creatives' she says.
The Arts Trail is back in Captains Flat this year, with events that bookend the October trail. Firstly, the 'Blessing of the Bikes' hosted by the Captains Flat Hotel on October 3, will include a show and shine, stalls, markets and food vendors in addition to a Tribute to the Fallen and blessings from a member of the clergy. On the final weekend 'Mama Tierra Collectiva' opens its doors October 17 & 18 to showcase an exhibition, local artisans and produce in the heart of this small town.
We save the birthday party for last, celebrating the 20th Arts Trail in Queanbeyan and surrounds on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October. Visit over 20 different galleries, pop-ups, performances and artist studios, from our incredible regional artists. Inside the Queanbeyan Arts Society, visitors can enjoy a free tasting of Lerida wines as they explore the galleries exhibitions, and take advantage of the sale of highly affordable art. The gallery garden will also host a sculpture exhibition and demonstrations by the Society's En plein air artists. Just up the hill at the historic Rusten House Art Centre, visitors can discover four exciting new exhibitions, featuring an array of sculpture, drawing and painting alongside artist talks, demonstrations and a community singing activation in the garden on Saturday afternoon. Queanbeyan also boasts master glass artists, with two home studios open for the weekend; Curtis Glass Art and Schwartz Glass Studio. The Hive of Queanbeyan, one of the towns creative hubs, will be hosting 'A lifetime in Lines' by artist Trevor Gibson.
With over 40 venues and activations during the 2026 Queanbeyan-Palerang October Arts Trail, there are too many to individually list here, but you can interact with the full program online through the Arts Trail website and plan your journey into the creative world of our region.
For the full list of participants and activation details head to treasuretrail.com.au/arts
