Mark, Zane and I caught the early train to Ballarat yesterday morning. The journey is a quick 1.5 hours by rail, during which time you zoom through some beautiful countryside.
After arriving in Ballarat, we enjoyed breakfast near the station at the adequate, yet uninspired Java Lounge. The eggs Benedict managed to hit the spot and the coffee was weak, but it served the purpose.
After breakfast, we visited the Art Gallery of Ballarat (AGB), which proved to be the highlight of our trip. Like the Bendigo Art Gallery, the AGB is a regional arts center that is highly notable for drawing internationally recognized exhibits. The role it played in exhibiting segments of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale was first rate.
From Brian Duffy to Roger Donaldson to Louviere/Vanessa, the displays were as good as any I have seen in the four countries and half-dozen or so world-class cities in which I have lived. My favorite photographer of the day was Lisa Robinson. Her collection "Snowbound" has been exhibited in many places over the past few years. I am a better person for having seen it.
(Ballarat photo by b00ng, licensed via Creative Commons.)