Plein Air Beverley 2026, is filling up fast, with 15 painters on our registrations list. If you are no longer intending to join in, please let us know by return email and we will take you off our list for this year.
Here is the initial information for Plein Air Beverley 2026, with a draft of the weekends program and some general information.
Dates are Friday April 17th to Sunday 19th
· Similar format i.e. Saturday in or near town and Sunday at Avondale Historic Farm.
· The Hotel Beverley (art Deco one) is now open under new ownership – back to usual trading.
· Info about dogs and restrictions.
Now for the rest.
1. Participants and Registrations – Based on previous years, we expect around 30 to 35 painters to register. As we get closer to the weekend, we will ask you to confirm your attendance so we can keep track of approximate numbers for logistics. No action is needed now.
2. Accommodation – if you are staying over, there are a number of options for you to book. The options are included again in this document. Usually, a few attend as day-trippers.
3. Trading Hours in Beverley – please note that Beverley is a small country town and is quiet over the weekends. Great for painting, but the IGA general store, butcher, chemist, newsagent, etc., close at noon Saturday, and the bakery soon after. If you are self-catering, please complete any unmet shopping needs by this time. The businesses trading on Sunday are the Freemasons Tavern (hotel), The Hotel Beverley, the Red Vault cafe, and the Dome service station, all on the main street.
a. Both Freemasons Tavern and The Hotel Beverley offer good choices for lunch and dinner.
b. For the Sunday paint out at Avondale Farm, please bring or shop for your light lunch on Saturday, or bring food items with you from home.
4. Information – Last year, we created a Facebook page for posting information, and we will continue with that approach in 2026. The page is “Plein Air Beverley WA”, and it will have information on the program, sites and painting scene options at the Station, which we will use as the hub. You can use this page for conversations and posting your work.
5. Friday 17th Meet and Greet (Optional) – Beverley Station Arts will provide some nibbles, and drinks will be available on Friday at 6pm, at the Station grounds before you go to your dinner at one of the hotels or your own arrangements.
6. Costs – For this year's weekend, we will ask you to pay $20 to offset the Nibbles for the meet and greet, and the entry to Avondale (national trust charges). We’ll advise a booking link at confirmation time in late March.
7. Saturday 18th painting in Beverley town – once again, we would like to focus a number of painters on the main street on Saturday morning to draw attention to plein air painting, and so Saturday arrivals can find us easily. Being visible and painting on the main street is a novelty for locals and helps Beverley Station Arts reinforce its presence in the local community.
8. Sunday painting at Avondale Farm – our access to Avondale is being arranged for Sunday, 19th. Once you have arrived at Avondale Farm, please park your car near the first set of sheds (tractor museum) and picnic area, so that artists' views are not obstructed. There is a scenic drive loop on the north side with log and wide vistas that is well worth checking out.
9. Friday / Saturday Evening Options – after the Friday meet and greet and the Saturday show and tell, your options include:
a. Friday – pub dinner at Freemasons Tavern, or Hotel Beverley.
b. Saturday night - A pub dinner will be booked at the Freemasons Tavern, similar to last year. A large table will be booked, and we may ask you to add your name to a list on Friday evening or Saturday morning, so we can ring numbers through. Service may be slow, but it will give you a chance to meet others and have a cold drink.
10. Art Supplies – Unlikely this year as Leon may be travelling interstate, so BYO gear.
11. Weather – being April, there is a chance of seasonal rain. Unless the weather is severe, the event will go ahead. Beverley town has a number of vintage shops with awnings that provide cover and offer good viewing points. There is also cover at Avondale on Sunday. If a storm is forecast, we will make a call about this several days in advance; we trust you will appreciate that the weather is beyond our control.
12. Managing Risks – this art weekend is self-directed. Which means you also need to manage yourselves and the public regarding accidents, damages, falls, etc. Whilst the likelihood and consequences are both low, we ask that painters take care when setting up their easels generally. Please also take care when driving, parking, or walking near country roads if you stop to view, take photos, or paint. You should consider vehicles and farm equipment that still use the roads on weekends. Beverley has a hospital located on the north side in Sewell Street, off John Street.
13. Dogs – Please be aware that bringing your dog will limit your involvement in the program. Dogs are allowed at the station, provided they are on a leash and attended at all times (not to be taken onto the artificial turf at the rear). Dogs can be taken into the beer garden at the Freemasons Tavern (on-leash as well), but not inside. Dogs are not permitted at Avondale Farm (Sunday), as it is a working farm and there are baits around.
14. Travelling to Beverley – Google Maps has good details, however:
a. If travelling via Kelmscott or Armadale, drive along Brookton Highway for approx. 66km and turn left into Westdale Road, then 44 km to Beverley. The turn-off is well signed.
b. If travelling via Midland, drive along Great Eastern Highway and turn right at the Lakes (large BP service station 31km from Midland) and drive via York.
15. DRAFT PROGRAM
Friday 17 April
Day 1 – Saturday 18 April “BEVERLEY TOWN”
Day 2 – Sunday 19 April “AVONDALE FARM”
Contacts
Email [email protected] (prior to the weekend).
Alan Pickering 0419 926 393
Marylou Hutchinson 0427 085 511
Facebook Page Plein Air Beverley WA
Beverley info https://www.beverleywa.com/
ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION
Accommodation Options
Hotels - There are two (2) hotels trading in Beverley, The Freemasons Tavern and the Hotel Beverley. Both are located on the main street and are 2-storey older establishments, and hence will offer rooms upstairs plus shared bathrooms per gender.
· The Freemasons was extensively refurbished a few years ago and has a wide menu of meals.
· The Hotel Beverley has been redecorated since new owners took over in mid-2025.
Caravan Park – is centrally located and offers space for vans and camping. It has a small camper's kitchen but no on-site vans.
Address: 22 Council Rd, Beverley WA 6304 Phone: (08) 9646 1200. Bookable online.
https://www.beverley.wa.gov.au/community/facilities/beverley-caravan-park.aspx
Short Stay Cabins near the Caravan Park - the council offers six modern 1 and 2-bedroom cabins, located close to the main street and near the caravan park. Bookable online via the caravan web page (photos available).
Other short-term accommodation. See the following options listed by the shire office:
https://www.beverleywa.com/bnbfarmstay.html
B&B - There is one B&B in town, located on Forest Street (multiple rooms)
Airbnb - There are some listings on Airbnb.com, including 2 cottages at Avondale Farm.
Also see https://www.lavendalefarm.com/ , about halfway to York.
RV park - a free park-up space for 72 hours, for self-contained travellers with their own toilet/shower on board. Located across the bridge.
Surrounding towns - York and Brookton are options, but each is about a 33/35 km drive.
The Caravan Park at York is under new ownership.
*** The council indicates there are about 200 beds available in town.
Here is the initial information for Plein Air Beverley 2026, with a draft of the weekends program and some general information.
Dates are Friday April 17th to Sunday 19th
· Similar format i.e. Saturday in or near town and Sunday at Avondale Historic Farm.
· The Hotel Beverley (art Deco one) is now open under new ownership – back to usual trading.
· Info about dogs and restrictions.
Now for the rest.
1. Participants and Registrations – Based on previous years, we expect around 30 to 35 painters to register. As we get closer to the weekend, we will ask you to confirm your attendance so we can keep track of approximate numbers for logistics. No action is needed now.
2. Accommodation – if you are staying over, there are a number of options for you to book. The options are included again in this document. Usually, a few attend as day-trippers.
3. Trading Hours in Beverley – please note that Beverley is a small country town and is quiet over the weekends. Great for painting, but the IGA general store, butcher, chemist, newsagent, etc., close at noon Saturday, and the bakery soon after. If you are self-catering, please complete any unmet shopping needs by this time. The businesses trading on Sunday are the Freemasons Tavern (hotel), The Hotel Beverley, the Red Vault cafe, and the Dome service station, all on the main street.
a. Both Freemasons Tavern and The Hotel Beverley offer good choices for lunch and dinner.
b. For the Sunday paint out at Avondale Farm, please bring or shop for your light lunch on Saturday, or bring food items with you from home.
4. Information – Last year, we created a Facebook page for posting information, and we will continue with that approach in 2026. The page is “Plein Air Beverley WA”, and it will have information on the program, sites and painting scene options at the Station, which we will use as the hub. You can use this page for conversations and posting your work.
5. Friday 17th Meet and Greet (Optional) – Beverley Station Arts will provide some nibbles, and drinks will be available on Friday at 6pm, at the Station grounds before you go to your dinner at one of the hotels or your own arrangements.
6. Costs – For this year's weekend, we will ask you to pay $20 to offset the Nibbles for the meet and greet, and the entry to Avondale (national trust charges). We’ll advise a booking link at confirmation time in late March.
7. Saturday 18th painting in Beverley town – once again, we would like to focus a number of painters on the main street on Saturday morning to draw attention to plein air painting, and so Saturday arrivals can find us easily. Being visible and painting on the main street is a novelty for locals and helps Beverley Station Arts reinforce its presence in the local community.
8. Sunday painting at Avondale Farm – our access to Avondale is being arranged for Sunday, 19th. Once you have arrived at Avondale Farm, please park your car near the first set of sheds (tractor museum) and picnic area, so that artists' views are not obstructed. There is a scenic drive loop on the north side with log and wide vistas that is well worth checking out.
9. Friday / Saturday Evening Options – after the Friday meet and greet and the Saturday show and tell, your options include:
a. Friday – pub dinner at Freemasons Tavern, or Hotel Beverley.
b. Saturday night - A pub dinner will be booked at the Freemasons Tavern, similar to last year. A large table will be booked, and we may ask you to add your name to a list on Friday evening or Saturday morning, so we can ring numbers through. Service may be slow, but it will give you a chance to meet others and have a cold drink.
10. Art Supplies – Unlikely this year as Leon may be travelling interstate, so BYO gear.
11. Weather – being April, there is a chance of seasonal rain. Unless the weather is severe, the event will go ahead. Beverley town has a number of vintage shops with awnings that provide cover and offer good viewing points. There is also cover at Avondale on Sunday. If a storm is forecast, we will make a call about this several days in advance; we trust you will appreciate that the weather is beyond our control.
12. Managing Risks – this art weekend is self-directed. Which means you also need to manage yourselves and the public regarding accidents, damages, falls, etc. Whilst the likelihood and consequences are both low, we ask that painters take care when setting up their easels generally. Please also take care when driving, parking, or walking near country roads if you stop to view, take photos, or paint. You should consider vehicles and farm equipment that still use the roads on weekends. Beverley has a hospital located on the north side in Sewell Street, off John Street.
13. Dogs – Please be aware that bringing your dog will limit your involvement in the program. Dogs are allowed at the station, provided they are on a leash and attended at all times (not to be taken onto the artificial turf at the rear). Dogs can be taken into the beer garden at the Freemasons Tavern (on-leash as well), but not inside. Dogs are not permitted at Avondale Farm (Sunday), as it is a working farm and there are baits around.
14. Travelling to Beverley – Google Maps has good details, however:
a. If travelling via Kelmscott or Armadale, drive along Brookton Highway for approx. 66km and turn left into Westdale Road, then 44 km to Beverley. The turn-off is well signed.
b. If travelling via Midland, drive along Great Eastern Highway and turn right at the Lakes (large BP service station 31km from Midland) and drive via York.
15. DRAFT PROGRAM
Friday 17 April
- Arrive and check in at your chosen and self-booked accommodation.
- From 6pm, you may choose to visit the Beverley Station grounds and gallery for introductions, a casual meet and greet, nibbles and drinks with the Beverley Station Arts team and your fellow painters.
- Dinner 6.45pm / 7pm at Freemasons Tavern Menu (typical country pub menu).
Day 1 – Saturday 18 April “BEVERLEY TOWN”
- Optional 8:30 am muster at the Beverley Station grounds, our hub for the weekend. Information on the program and town painting locations nearby.
- Painting in the main street and other town scenes (we encourage painting in the main street on Saturday morning, to make the event visible, and so day-trip painters can find us easily).
- End of day muster at Beverley Station grounds and gallery from 5pm.
- Casual and optional showing of works.
- Information for Sunday’s location, if required.
- THEN - Dinner 6pm at Freemasons Tavern (typical country pub menu)
Day 2 – Sunday 19 April “AVONDALE FARM”
- Drive 6km west on Waterhatch Road to Avondale, a historic farm. The original land allotment and heritage-listed homestead of Governor James Stirling, which was recently a research farm and is now a museum farm. Two cottages are listed on Airbnb.
- Day trip painters can travel by the York-Williams road, which intersects Waterhatch 2km west of Avondale (so turn east off York-Williams road).
- 4pm Optional end-of-day muster at Beverley Station garden. Showing of works. Event feedback.
- Depart Sunday at 5pm for home, or stay over if you have arranged.
Contacts
Email [email protected] (prior to the weekend).
Alan Pickering 0419 926 393
Marylou Hutchinson 0427 085 511
Facebook Page Plein Air Beverley WA
Beverley info https://www.beverleywa.com/
ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION
Accommodation Options
Hotels - There are two (2) hotels trading in Beverley, The Freemasons Tavern and the Hotel Beverley. Both are located on the main street and are 2-storey older establishments, and hence will offer rooms upstairs plus shared bathrooms per gender.
· The Freemasons was extensively refurbished a few years ago and has a wide menu of meals.
· The Hotel Beverley has been redecorated since new owners took over in mid-2025.
Caravan Park – is centrally located and offers space for vans and camping. It has a small camper's kitchen but no on-site vans.
Address: 22 Council Rd, Beverley WA 6304 Phone: (08) 9646 1200. Bookable online.
https://www.beverley.wa.gov.au/community/facilities/beverley-caravan-park.aspx
Short Stay Cabins near the Caravan Park - the council offers six modern 1 and 2-bedroom cabins, located close to the main street and near the caravan park. Bookable online via the caravan web page (photos available).
Other short-term accommodation. See the following options listed by the shire office:
https://www.beverleywa.com/bnbfarmstay.html
B&B - There is one B&B in town, located on Forest Street (multiple rooms)
Airbnb - There are some listings on Airbnb.com, including 2 cottages at Avondale Farm.
Also see https://www.lavendalefarm.com/ , about halfway to York.
RV park - a free park-up space for 72 hours, for self-contained travellers with their own toilet/shower on board. Located across the bridge.
Surrounding towns - York and Brookton are options, but each is about a 33/35 km drive.
The Caravan Park at York is under new ownership.
*** The council indicates there are about 200 beds available in town.
