The Convent Gallery

Today we headed over to Daylesford. We went to the market. Bought Leah some Enid Blyton books to add to our collection. I bought her Galliano's circus and a few other that are part of that series, (Tony do you remember reading those and playing circus with your lego when we were little). We were big Enid Blyton fans in our house.

After the market we walked up and down the main shopping area. Stopped in at Sweet Decadence. If you love chocolate you cannot help but stop at this shop. After lunch we went to the Convent Gallery. We have been there many years ago before we had kids or maybe when Kady was a baby. Still love the place as much as back then.

Here is a little history about the Convent.


Nestled on the edge of the Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens in Daylesford, the covent boast expansive views of the surrounding countryside. The convent dates back to the Gold Rush era of the 1860's when it was built as a private residence for the gold commissioner. During the 1880's it was purchased by the catholic church and converted into the Holy Cross Convent and boarding school for girls. The convent closed in 1973 and the building and grounds fell into disrepair. In 1988 prize winning artist and ceramacist Tina Banitska bought the property with the hope of turning it into a place to promote art and expose beautiful things to people. She was careful to maintain the history and spirituality lingering within the walls paying legacy to the presentation sisters. Within the convent there is a Bad Habits cafe, Altar bar and lounge, seven galleries, function areas, museum and a shop.

The convent is beautiful. The stained glass windows are just stunning. The history, the art (you are not allowed to photograph any of the art that is displayed) and the views from the convent are fantastic. Click on the collage below for a closer look. When we entered the convent the skies were clear. When we came out a mist had settled over the area with some light misty rain.