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Plein Air Down Under Festival in Mandurah

Nadine Heinen
September 1, 2026
Events & FestivalsSeasonal Highlights
A man wearing a hat and a black hoodie paints a waterside scene on an easel. He stands on a wooden boardwalk with a lake and buildings in the background. His palette is colorful, and hes focused on his artwork.

Experience WA’s Premier Outdoor Painting Festival: Plein Air Down Under 2026

Looking for creative things to do in Mandurah this spring? Mark your calendar for the Plein Air Down Under Outdoor Painting Festival, returning over the September long weekend – 26 to 28 September 2026.

This much-loved event is Western Australia’s largest outdoor painting festival, attracting artists and art lovers from across the country and overseas. Set in the heart of Mandurah’s foreshore, cultural precinct, and the historic town of Pinjarra, it’s a weekend filled with live art, workshops, exhibitions, and family-friendly activities. Whether you’re picking up a paintbrush or just soaking up the atmosphere, this is one of the top Mandurah events of the year.

 

Plein Air Down Under 2026 at a glance

  • When: 5-29 September 2026
  • Main festival weekend: 26-28 September 2026
  • Where: Mandurah, Pinjarra and locations across the Peel region
  • Cost: Free to attend the three-day festival, with selected workshops and artist participation requiring registration

 

Day 1 – Saturday 26 Sept | Mandurah

Presented by Ray White Mandurah

The festival weekend begins in and around the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre (ManPAC), with artists setting up their easels around the CBD, foreshore, Dolphin Quay Marina and Venetian Canals.

It’s a chance to see artists capturing Mandurah’s landscapes and waterways as they happen – and you can wander between the painting locations and festival activities throughout the day.

What to see and do

  • Watch artists painting around Mandurah’s CBD, foreshore, marina and Venetian Canals
  • Visit the Spirit of the Landscape exhibition
  • Head to the Young Painters Zone for free creative activities
  • Let the kids get involved with painting, art activities and face painting
  • Have a go at watercolour painting yourself
  • Enjoy live music around the festival hub
  • Watch a free oil painting demonstration by feature artist Leon Holmes
  • See a live pastel painting demonstration from Greg Barnes
  • Meet artists and discover original artworks

 

The afternoon program continues inside ManPAC, with presentations, demonstrations and the festival’s evening artist activities.

From 5pm, the festival hub comes alive with the Feature Artist Panel Discussion, artist meet-and-greet opportunities and the growing festival exhibition.

 

Day 2 – Sunday 28 Sept | Pinjarra

On Sunday, follow the artists south to Pinjarra, where the historic Edenvale Heritage Precinct and town centre become an outdoor gallery.

From 10am, visitors can wander the Pinjarra Heritage Trail and watch artists interpret the town’s heritage buildings and surrounding landscapes.

Make a day of it

  • Watch artists painting along the Pinjarra Heritage Trail
  • Join a free Have-a-Go watercolour activity for grown-ups
  • Get the kids involved in a free art activity
  • Browse the Peel Growers Market
  • Discover local artists at Nu.Arts Collective at Liveringa Gallery
  • Visit the Roger May Machinery Museum
  • Explore Pinjarra’s arts, crafts and heritage
  • Enjoy live music from Best Friends Duo
  • Join the family fun at the Exchange Hotel
  • Throughout the day, three of the festival’s feature artists will give free live demonstrations:

 

11am: Leon Holmes – Oil Painting
1pm: Greg Barnes – Pastel Painting
2.30pm: Andy Dolphin – Watercolour Painting

It’s a relaxed way to experience Pinjarra while seeing how professional artists transform the local landscape into original artwork.

 

Day 3 – Monday 29 Sept | Mandurah

The festival finale returns to Mandjar Square, outside the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, for one of PADU’s most exciting events: the two-hour Quick Draw Painting Competition.

From early morning, artists take their positions around Mandjar Square and have just two hours to create a finished painting.

 

Quick Draw schedule

8am: Coffee and breakfast van opens
8.30-9.30am: Quick Draw registration and board stamping
10am-12 noon: Two-hour Quick Draw painting competition
12.15-1pm: Judging, awards, easel exhibition and artwork sales
1.30pm onwards: Festival exhibition, major awards, artwork sales and door prize inside ManPAC

Watching the Quick Draw is free, so even if you wouldn’t know your watercolour from your gouache, you can still enjoy the excitement.

 

See the artists in action

One of the best things about Plein Air Down Under is that you don’t have to be an artist to appreciate it.

The festival gives visitors the chance to see professional artists working from life, experiment with different painting techniques and discover how the same Mandurah landscape can look completely different through different artistic styles.

 

The 2026 feature artists include:

Greg Barnes (USA) – landscape painting in oils and pastels
Leon Holmes (Australia) – oil painting en plein air
Andy Dolphin (Australia) – watercolour and plein air painting

There are also workshops with guest artists including Georgia Mansur, Linda MacAulay and Leanne Pearson, plus masterclasses and additional paint-outs across the Peel region during PADU week.

 

More than one weekend: Explore PADU across the Peel region

The main festival might run from 26-28 September, but Plein Air Down Under starts earlier.

The 2026 program includes a World-Wide Paint Out at Mandjar Square on Saturday 5 September, the opening of the Spirit of the Landscape exhibition, and a full week of artist workshops, masterclasses and paint-outs from 21-25 September.

Artists will be painting at locations including Fairbridge Village near Pinjarra, San Remo Beach, Redgum Wine Estate in Dwellingup and Thorny Devil Brewery at Lake Clifton.

For visitors, it’s a great excuse to turn a day trip into a longer Peel adventure.

A person in a hat paints on an easel by a riverbank, with a colourful sailboat passing on the water. Houses are visible in the background, and trees frame the scene. The ground is covered with grass and scattered leaves.

Artwork All Around Mandurah

Plein Air Down Under fits naturally into Mandurah. Art isn’t confined to galleries here – you’ll find it along the foreshore, on the streets and tucked into the landscape. Take a walk along the Mandurah Instagram Trail to discover colourful murals and quirky outdoor artworks, including the much-loved 3D pelican by artist Jenny McCracken.

Then venture further afield to discover the Giants of Mandurah by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. These enormous wooden sculptures are hidden across the Peel region, encouraging you to explore Mandurah’s waterways, wetlands and bushland as you go.

Start your journey at the Mandurah Visitor Centre, where you can choose which Giants to visit. While you’re there, don’t miss the ‘Welcome to Country’ mural by artists Peta & Corey Ugle and the amazing 3D Augmented Reality experience, which tells the story of Mandurah’s waterways through art.

A woman playfully holds a fish in front of a 3D wall mural depicting a pelican with its beak open, appearing to reach for the fish. The mural is framed by a circular border with the words Visit Mandurah. The background is a vibrant blue wall.

Take fun snaps along the Mandurah Instagram Trail

Explore Mandurah beyond the easel

Once you’ve had your fill of paintings, make the most of being in Mandurah.

The city’s waterways are perfect for exploring by boat, with dolphin-watching cruises, scenic cruises and kayak adventures offering a completely different perspective of the Mandurah landscape.

For a little more adventure, discover the Giants of Mandurah by e-bike, or take to the water to see Giant Seba’s Song from a different angle.

And if you’re travelling with the family, there are plenty of ways to add some fun to your art-filled weekend – from exploring Mandurah’s waterways aboard Mandurah’s very own Pirate Ship to discovering beaches, playgrounds and family-friendly attractions.

A large wooden sculpture resembling a human figure sits on rocks, facing a motorboat on a calm blue sea. The sculpture appears to be observing the boat, which is filled with people enjoying the ride under a clear sky.

Giant & Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise

Turn your art weekend into a Mandurah getaway

With three days of festival activity plus workshops and exhibitions before and after the main weekend, Plein Air Down Under is a great reason to spend a few nights in Mandurah.

Stay close to the action at accommodation around the Mandurah foreshore and marina, or choose a quieter base and use Mandurah as your starting point for exploring the wider Peel region.

You’ll also find plenty of places to eat and drink between festival activities, from waterfront dining and cafés to local breweries and restaurants.

Local favourites include Wood and Stone Café for breakfast, Boundary Island Brewery for a relaxing lunch with a cold craft beer and Flics Kitchen for dinner. Or check out other local gems like Brewvino and The Pen, also offering delicious meals and drinks. Just make sure to book ahead so you don’t miss out!

 

Plan Your Plein Air Down Under Weekend

Aerial view of a coastal resort featuring a white building with light blue accents. A turquoise swimming pool is surrounded by palm trees and lounge chairs. The expansive beach and ocean extend along the shoreline under a clear blue sky.

Seashells Mandurah

Whether you’re an enthusiastic painter, an art lover or simply looking for something different to do in Mandurah this spring, Plein Air Down Under is one of the city’s most distinctive annual events.

The three-day festival from 26-28 September 2026 is free to attend, with live painting, demonstrations, exhibitions, family activities and the Quick Draw competition all adding to the atmosphere.

Want to join in as an artist? Registrations are available for professional, non-professional and youth artists, with an Access All Areas pass covering the festival’s artist program.