Out Of Town

Sydney Morning Herald

Thursday January 1, 2009

Compiled by Rachel Olding THE PLANNERS@SMH.COM.AU

BEST BANKSIAS

West Australian botanical artist Meryl Bell exhibits a collection of wildflower paintings in her To Be Up Close exhibition. She paints the flowers for which her home state is so famous using techniques similar to those employed by the 17th century Dutch floral artists. The canvas works use vibrant colours and intricate brush strokes while remaining botanically accurate.

Today, 10am-5pm, $5.50/$4.40/$3.30 for entry to the Gardens, Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre, Bells Line of Road via Bilpin, Mount Tomah, 4567 2154, bluemts.com.au/mounttomah.

BEST TALK

Join a gallery host for an introduction to the National Archives' new exhibition Shell-shocked: Australia After Armistice. The tour will highlight the background, personal stories and the archival records featured in the exhibition commemorating the armistice and the impact of World War I on Australian society. It explores the jubilation marking the end of the war and the changes that awaited returning soldiers.

Daily (until April 27), 11am, free, National Archives of Australia, Queen Victoria Terrace, Parkes, Canberra, 6212 3900, naa.gov.au.

BEST LIGHTS

Catch the last few days of the Hunter Valley Garden's blinding festive lights display. More than 20 kilometres of lights and 400,000 globes are spread throughout several areas of picturesque gardens in a show four times bigger than last year's that has already attracted thousands of visitors. Garden gates open at 6.30pm with children's shows at 7pm and 8pm and magicians around the gardens.

Tonight until Saturday night, lights display at 8pm, fireworks at 9pm, $12.50/$7.50/free, Hunter Valley Gardens, Broke Road, Pokolbin, 4998 4000, hvg.com.au.

© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald

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