2026 PAINTING LOCATIONS
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 and published on our website and social media in a timely manner to ensure the best possible festival experience for all artists and spectators.
MONDAY – APRIL 20
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.
TUESDAY – APRIL 21
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.
WEDNESDAY – APRIL 22
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.
THURSDAY – APRIL 23
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 24
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 25 ANZAC DAY
PARLIAMENTARY TRIANGLE
The Parliamentary Triangle is the ceremonial heart of Canberra, where Australia’s most iconic national institutions converge around the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. On the south side, this grand precinct features sweeping vistas of Parliament House, the National Library and the National Gallery, connected by tree-lined avenues and formal gardens. On ANZAC Day, the dawn service and commemorative events drawing thousands to the War Memorial, across the lake, to honour Australia’s servicemen and women. Artists will be painting in the area between the National Library, the National Gallery and Old Parliament House.
KINGSTON FORESHORE – FITTERS WORKSHOP
SUNDAY – 26 APRIL
Kingston Foreshore is a vibrant waterfront precinct where industrial heritage meets contemporary urban design. The historic Fitters Workshop, a beautifully restored 1920s building, sits alongside the glassy expanse of Lake Burley Griffin, surrounded by modern apartments, boardwalks, and landscaped public spaces. Artists will discover contrasts between old brick facades and sleek architectural lines, reflections dancing on the water, and the relaxed atmosphere of weekend cafés and promenades. The foreshore offers varied painting opportunities – from intimate courtyard scenes to expansive lake views framed by the distant hills. Located in Canberra’s inner south, approximately 5 minutes from the city centre.