Tour Overview:

Enjoy a wonderfully relaxing and creative weekend art retreat at the beautiful Moondyne Country Convention Centre - an absolute hidden gem, only an hour’s drive from Perth nestled high on the hillside overlooking the the Chittering Valley and Avon River with breathtaking views and surrounded by the Avon Valley National Park.

Relax and create! Includes two nights accommodation, delicious country style catering (all meals included), two fabulous art sessions (‘en plein air’ acrylics painting session* and watercolour workshop), yoga and relaxation meditation session, and sunset drinks and nibbles. There will be time for you to relax at the venue or enjoy beautiful walks (check out Moondyne Creek and picturesque waterfalls on the River Walk or the stunning views on the Ridge Walk).

Moondyne Country Convention Centre is an exclusive retreat located on an 1800 acre farming property overlooking the Chittering Valley, rolling green hills, the Avon River and surrounded by the picturesque Avon Valley National Park in Lower Chittering. Enjoy comfortable accommodation - your choice of single occupancy or twin share (every room has its own ensuite), cosy guest lounge and dining room with pot belly stoves, beautiful gardens and amazing views all around. Freshly prepared country style catering by Moondyne.

Learn new skills, meet new likeminded friends and create your own art pieces (two framed water colour studies and a valley/river landscape with acrylics on canvas, complete with float frame, to take home with you).

Arrive on Friday evening for welcome drinks and nibbles whilst enjoying stunning sunset views over the Avon Valley and the opportunity to meet everyone. This is followed by a delicious dinner in Moondyne’s cosy dining room with pot belly fire. On Saturday morning, after breakfast, we have chosen a stunning on-site location* for our ‘en plein air’ workshop using acrylic paints on canvas to capture the breathtaking views over the Avon Valley, morning tea provided.

After a leisurely lunch, you have some free time to relax or explore. Why not take a hike to see the waterfalls on the ‘River Walk’ or enjoy stunning views along the ‘Ridge Walk’. Late afternoon, our experienced yoga/meditation teacher will help you to nurture your mind, body and soul with a relaxing mediation and yoga session. This will be followed pre dinner drinks, dinner and a short skill session afterwards to prepare for our watercolour workshop the next day.*

Suitable for the everyone, from the complete beginner to the accomplished artist. You will receive individual tuition and advice on composition, colour mixing and techniques (watercolour and acrylics). We provide all the materials you need (including frames) and you will be guided through the steps to create your own unique pieces of art.

* Please note in the case of inclement weather we may alter the itinerary as follows:

• ‘en plein’ air’ session on Saturday to be relocated indoors to the conference room where we will paint from reference material.

  OR

• We reserve the right to switch the workshops if the weather is fine on Sunday but not on Saturday (ie the ‘en plein air’ session may be moved to Sunday and the watercolour workshop will be moved to Saturday). In this case, Saturday evening’s Skill Session will take place on Friday evening instead as the skill session focuses on stretching watercolour paper in preparation for the watercolour workshop the following day.

Pricing and Accommodation:

Cost includes:

• Two nights accommodation as per specified configuration below at Moondyne Country Convention Centre.

• Full breakfasts - Saturday and Sunday.

• Morning Tea - Saturday and Sunday.

• Lunch - Saturday and Sunday

• Dinner on Friday and Saturday nights (plus sunset nibbles and one complimentary drink).

• Saturday evening skills session (to prepare for art session on Sunday).

• ‘en plein air’ acrylic on canvas art session* - 4 hours (Saturday*)

• Watercolour workshop using artist quality materials - 6 hours (Sunday*)

• All equipment and quality art materials required for both art sessions is provided for your use plus individual tuition including composition, colour mixing, techniques and more.

• Two frames supplied to complete your best watercolour artworks and a canvas with float frame for your acrylic landscape artwork.

• The artworks you complete are yours to take home with you!

  Note - minimum number of participants must be reached before the trip is confirmed.

Accommodation configuration

All of the options below are for two nights accommodation at Moondyne Country Convention Centre arriving on Friday 12 August 2022 and departing on Sunday 14 August 2022. Choose your option (INCLUDES ALL TOUR INCLUSIONS AS DETAILED ABOVE):

Transport:

The tour is self-drive - see MAP for directions to Moondyne Country Convention Centre, 630 Wanaka Road, Lower Chittering WA 6084.

Food:

Breakfast (Saturday and Sunday) - full breakfast catered by Moondyne in the dining room.

Morning Tea (Saturday and Sunday) - tea, coffee and cake served during our art workshops in the dining room.

Lunch (Saturday and Sunday) - catered by Moondyne in the dining room.

Pre Dinner (Friday and Saturday) - a complimentary glass of sparkling, wine or soft drink and pre dinner nibbles

Dinner (Friday and Saturday) - catered by Moondyne in the dining room.

Alcohol - we provide a complimentary drink on each evening. All other alcohol is BYO.

Please let us know of any dietary requirements when you book – we are happy to cater to a variety of dietary needs.

Itinerary:

Friday 12 August 2022

Self drive to Moondyne Country Convention Centre – approximately 1 hour from Perth in the Lower Chittering Valley.

5.00pm           Earliest check in time.

6.00pm           Gather in the dining room (on the deck if weather permits) for complimentary pre dinner welcome drink and nibbles.

7.00pm Delicious country style dinner catered by Moondyne.

Saturday 13 August 2022

8.30am           Full breakfast served in the dining room, catered by Moondyne.

9.30am           *** (see below) ‘en plein air painting session onsite at Moondyne, views over the valley- we provide everything you need:

Portable ‘en plein air’ box art easel, stretched canvas complete with float frame, apron, acrylic paint, palette and brushes for your use.

10.30am          Morning tea catered by Moondyne.

1.30pm            Lunch catered by Moondyne, served in the dining room and on the deck (weather permitting).

2.00pm           Free time to relax or explore some of the walks or surrounding Avon Valley National Park.

5.00pm Nurture your mind, body and soul with a relaxing mediation and yoga session.

6.45pm          Gather in the dining room (on the deck if weather permits) for complimentary pre dinner drink and nibbles.

7.15pm   Delicious country style dinner catered by Moondyne.

8.00pm           Skills session in preparation for Sunday’s Watercolour Workshop** - learn how to stretch water colour paper.

** note if, due to weather conditions, we switch the ‘en plein air’ acrylic painting session to Sunday and move the watercolour workshop to Saturday, then this skills sessions will take place on Friday evening after dinner instead.

Sunday 14 August 2022    

8.30am Full breakfast served in the dining room, catered by Moondyne.

9.00am *** (see below) Watercolour Workshop - we provide everything you need to create your masterpieces:

Art board, artist quality 300gsm watercolour paper, artist quality watercolour paints, optional inks, drawing materials, frames.

10.30am          Morning tea catered by Moondyne.

1.30pm            Lunch catered by Moondyne, served in the dining room and on the deck (weather permitting).

2.30pm           Watercolour Workshops continues, finalise your best two artworks and frame!

4.00pm           Finish - self-drive back to Perth.

*** Please note in the case of inclement weather we may alter the itinerary as follows:

• ‘en plein’ air’ session on Saturday to be relocated indoors to the conference room where we will paint from reference material.

  OR

• We reserve the right to switch the workshops if the weather is fine on Sunday but not on Saturday (ie the ‘en plein air’ session may be moved to Sunday and the watercolour workshop will be moved to Saturday).

What to bring:

• Sunscreen and hat.

• Water bottle.

• A small stool is provided but you are welcome to bring along your own.

• Personal belongings for a two night stay.

• Additional alcohol.

What to wear:

• An apron is provided but wear clothes that you don’t mind getting paint on.  Although acrylic and water colours pains are water-soluble, some pigments can be difficult to remove.

• Weather appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear suited to walking.

• Have plenty of warm clothes and wet weather gear, depending on forecast.

Appropriate for:

• Adults only.  All levels – Suitable for the complete beginner to the accomplished artist.

Weather policy/contingency:

The weekend will proceed regardless of weather conditions. If the weather prevents us from painting ‘en plein air’ (outside) we will either provide shelter or provide an alternative art session in an undercover/indoor venue and paint from reference material.

PLEASE NOTE SPECIAL EVENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY - See here