Sure, we’re known for river trails, relaxing weekends and all the fresh air your lungs can handle – but Albury Wodonga also knows how to put on a good show. From beautifully curated galleries to grassroots creative hubs, this region is home to a rich, creative scene.
Here’s where to get your fix:
Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA)
MAMA delivers a lineup of impressive local and regional artists. They have hosted the likes of Sidney Nolan, Lautrec, Degas and the Archibalds, and they also run richly creative community events and workshops. Their series of high-quality short courses will teach you to fine-tune skills in painting, drawing or wielding a pottery wheel to make the perfect coffee mug. The gift shop is as stylish as it is irresistible, and the adjoining café, Canvas Eatery, is the perfect space to ponder the meaning of postmodernism over a flat white and eggs Benedict.
The Pumphouse
Once a pumphouse, now an architecturally renovated art facility, this impressive space has reinvented itself as a maker’s playground. The Pumphouse Albury hosts exhibitions, workshops, a co-making space and all sorts of pop-up creativity. They have specialist tools on hand for ceramic arts, fibre arts and small works arts – like jewellery making. The ever-changing courses are led by talented local artists and makers, where you can learn skills such as crafting a wall-mounted ceramic sculpture, making silver earrings or spinning yarn
HotHouse Theatre
Housed in a literal butter factory on the banks of the Murray, this is a small-town theatre with a big reputation for high-quality professional and independent theatre. HotHouse Theatre curates a program of bold Australian work, with a strong focus on regional voices and artistic risk-taking. Grab a dinner beforehand at La Maison Restaurant next door, or enjoy a pre-show drink in the Hothouse courtyard. Or stay late and argue about symbolism.
Laneway Lightbox
Explore outside the box of the gallery walls and head into the streets of Albury’s CBD. Tucked down AMP Lane, the Laneway Lightbox brings bold, thought-provoking art to the street. Featuring a rotating series of large-scale lightbox artworks from local and national artists, you can get your culture fix in between a browse at Booktique and a negroni at Temperance and General. Could this day get any better?
Murray Arts
This is your backstage pass to the region’s creative happenings. Murray Arts isn’t just pushing paper – they’re connecting artists, curating events and generally making sure the arts scene across six local government areas (yes, six!) stays vibrant. Whether you’re chasing a gig, workshop, exhibition or funding opportunity, their monthly newsletter is your holy grail for what’s on and what’s coming up in the region.
Hyphen – Wodonga Library Gallery
Part library, part gallery, part architectural flex, Hyphen is a meet-cute of books and art – two gifted introverts who finally come together in one perfect relationship. Browse the shelves, catch an exhibition, or quietly write your novel while eavesdropping on a poetry reading.
Outdoor Art for Fresh Air Fans
Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk – This award-winning riverside trail features contemporary Aboriginal sculpture and story, set along a 5.3km stretch of the Wagirra Trail. Walk, wonder, repeat.
Gateway Village – This precinct straddles the border between states and features public art, green space and occasional food trucks. Gateway Gallery features contemporary works by more than 50 regional artists, including painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography, textiles and jewellery. See the artists at work when you stop by for a visit.
Albury Wodonga Public Art Trail – Follow the trail and keep your eyes peeled for sculptures and murals hiding in plain sight across both cities. With 142 artworks to find, at last count, you can easily spend a whole day soaking up art in the outdoors.
Crossing Place Trail – This scenic trail doesn’t just connect Albury and Wodonga; it connects you to culture through art – in the outdoors. Along the trail, you’ll encounter sculptures from local Aboriginal artists, set among gum trees and local wildlife.
Ready to Get Creative?
Albury Wodonga isn’t just a pretty face – it’s got soul, stories and enough creative energy to power a pottery wheel for days. Whether you’re watching a play, walking alongside sculpture or finally learning how to use a palette knife, get ready to fill your creative cup.
Who said culture only exists in the big cities?