Since the days of the impressionists, artists have enjoyed the experience of painting outdoors. It is one of the true joys of being a painter.
Not only are we at one with nature, but there is also the camaraderie when two or more paint on location.
Plein Air Down Under (PADU) is Australia’s longest running and largest outdoor painting festival and includes awards and prizes, feature artists, youth involvement, demonstrations and two exhibitions of plein air paintings.
Join over 200 artists at Australia’s premier outdoor painting festival (est 2019). Held annually in Mandurah and the Peel Region of Western Australia, this vibrant festival brings together artists for a week of creativity, learning, connection and outdoor painting.
PADU Experience Peel Paint Outs are held from 22 – 25 September in the wider Peel Region, incorporating rural landscapes away from the CBD. The festival weekend of 26 – 28 September is held around Mandurah and the historic town of Pinjarra and celebrates outdoor painting with exhibitions, painting demonstrations, have-a-go activities and awards and prizes.
Plein Air Down Under presents a week of outdoor and evening paint-outs, over $12,000 in awards and prizes, workshops, youth involvement and two art exhibitions. In 2026 internationally renowned artists (TBA) will run Masterclasses, paint and demonstrate throughout the festival.
Over 200 artists will be painting throughout Mandurah’s town centre and beautiful foreshores, cultural precinct, and the historic town of Pinjarra. When the artists aren’t on site painting, the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre serves as the festival hub, offering artists and spectators the opportunity to watch demonstrations, and enjoy the festivities.
Highlights of the 2026 festival will include:
- Workshops and Masterclasses
- Painting demonstrations
- Free have-a-go art activities for all ages
- Spirit of the Landscape Art Exhibition
- Artist registration open to professional, non-professional and youth artists
- Over $12,000 in awards and prizes
- Day and evening paint-outs
- A two-hour Quick Draw painting competition
- Opportunities to exhibit, sell and buy original artwork.
Gallery
We love seeing our artists recognized for their cleverness. Congratulations to Andy Dolphin Art and Leanne Pearson for their fabulous portraits at the West Australian Society of Arts exhibition. Still time to view, it finishes at 2pm today.![]()
South Perth Community Hall![]()
Cnr Sandgate St.& South Terrace
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What does one do on a rainy day?![]()
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Go to the West Australian Society of Arts 130th Art Exhibition, on today and tomorrow. Definitely worth a visit!![]()
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Saturday: 9.30am - 5.30 pm ![]()
Sunday 9.30am - 2pm![]()
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City of South Perth Community Hall![]()
cnr Sandgate and South Terrace.
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🎨 EARLY BIRD REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW OPEN! 🎨![]()
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Mark your calendars, artists! Plein Air Down Under 2026 early bird registrations have officially launched, and we couldn't be more excited!![]()
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WHEN: September 21-29, 2026![]()
WHERE: Mandurah & Peel Region, Western Australia![]()
EARLY BIRD: $95 (save $25!) - offer ends July 31st, 2026![]()
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🌟 What's included in your Access All Areas pass:![]()
✅ Paint at ALL Experience Peel locations (Sept 22-25)![]()
✅ Festival weekend access in Mandurah & historic Pinjarra (Sept 26-28)![]()
✅ Feature Artist Greg Barnes (USA) professional development presentation at Mandurah Performing Arts Centre (valued at $50)![]()
✅ Quick Draw Two Hour Painting Competition entry (valued at $20)![]()
✅ Meet & Greet event with light supper in Leon Holmes Gallery gardens![]()
✅ Exhibition opportunities for up to 4 artworks![]()
✅ Masterclass and workshop eligibility![]()
✅ Complimentary lunch Monday Sept 28th![]()
✅ Prizes and awards eligibility![]()
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Join over 200 artists from across Australia and beyond for a week of creativity, learning, and connection in one of WA's most picturesque regions.![]()
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Ready to secure your spot? Register now: pleinairdownunder.com/![]()
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Tag an artist friend who should join us! Questions? Drop them in the comments below! 👇
The WOW Factor – Gouache on Black (plein air) with Linda MacAulay![]()
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Explore the magic of painting with gouache on black paper, a technique that is perfect for capturing quick, high contrast paintings that really pop. ![]()
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Learn how painting the light values only, whilst reserving the black of the surface, allows you to quickly capture fleeting light. ![]()
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Watch this short video to see how dynamic this technique is.![]()
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Thursday 24 September 2026 ![]()
Peel Region, Western Australia ![]()
Full details at pleinairdownunder.com/2026guestartistlindamacaulay/![]()
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www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDsevO70nvI
Gouache Sketchbook Tour by Linda MacAulay.
www.youtube.com
Australian Artist, Linda MacAulay takes you on a tour of her latest gouache sketchbook painted entirely on location. Learn about the art materials she uses ...
River House Pinjarra 2025 Artist Residency winner, Andy Dolphin Art![]()
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Andy commences his week-long residency today and we are looking forward to reading all about it. We know there will be a lot of great art, the sharing of knowledge and observations, and some unusual antics. Stay tuned!![]()
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Thank you to the River House Pinjarra for making this available for our PADU 2025 artists. We saw the fantastic results of Sarah Pondevies residency last year and it reinforces the importance of being able to be immersed in our artwork. ![]()
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@the_river_house_pinjarra
Contact
Postal Address
P.O Box 788
30-32 Pinjarra Road
30-32 Pinjarra Road
Mandurah, WA
Australia, 6210
Australia, 6210
