An Arty Day Off at the NGV

Overview

Melbourne's unforgiving winter weather has put an end to our beloved weekend al fresco jaunts. But that said, the wintry chill makes for perfect museum conditions. Dedicate your day off for the Queen's Birthday to a full day at the National Gallery of Victoria, and rediscover the permanent collections of 73,000 works. Peruse the many free exhibitions including Every Brilliant Eye, and when museum legs set in, take a break and head to the Garden Restaurant for lunch — though before you settle into the ground-level restaurant, peek into the Gallery Kitchen and see if it's been styled for the Van Gogh and the Seasons exhibition. The NGV often themes the venue for big exhibitions, so you may find yourself dining among some of the artist's provincial landscapes.

Image: Vincent van Gogh, Dutch 1853–90, Orchard in Blossom, Bordered by Cypresses (1888), Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, © Kröller-Müller Museum.