The Convent Daylesford

Wow! Just wow! The Convent is an awesome visit for anyone visiting the Daylesford area! We were greeted by the owner and she is an amazing character! So full of life and a lot of fun! We strongly recommend following the guide that you will be given as there are areas that you would easily miss if you don't. It's basically a massive art gallery with some museum content and a shop all built into a magnificently restored convent. The current display of art works was amazing, and the art changes every 6- 8 weeks. Be sure to go here with an empty credit card because a lot of the art is for sale. Such an awesome experience! We didn't dine at The Convent, however you can book to dine there if you wish. You can also book weddings at The Convent and possibly other functions. Highly recommended visit and well worth the entry fee.

What a beautiful place! We have visited The Convent each time we come to Daylesford and it has always given us so much joy. From the amazing gallery spaces with new artworks on display of all kinds (paintings, ceramics, jewelry, clothing designs etc…) to enjoying the delicious scones and food in the cafe - this gorgeous venue surpasses all expectations! It is a gem within the community that must be experienced by all. Today we had the unexpected delight to meet Tina - the owner & restorer of The Convent. Her genuine warmth and the amazing story of how she discovered the dilapidated site & restored it into this magnificent gallery and function centre is truly unbelievable. Thank you Tina for taking the time to answer our questions and creating this unique place for all to enjoy. I really enjoyed our chance encounter and getting to know you!

What a wonderful place, best to double the time you thought you needed to see it all, we were there two and a half hours and still needed more time. The mulled wine and tonic juice were very delicious. What a great way to see art, and appreciate it. Big thanks to Tina for making this place come alive.

Elegant, warm, and perfectly run We held our wedding and reception at The Convent in Daylesford, and returned a year later for our anniversary—it was that good. The team, led by Marija and Tina, were a delight to work with: warm, responsive, and highly professional. From crafting the menu to refining the run sheet, they made every detail feel easy. The setting is simply stunning, and the service struck the perfect balance between relaxed and refined. We would trust them again in a heartbeat for any special occasion.

The Convent Daylesford is an absolutely stunning destination that perfectly blends history, art, and breathtaking views. From the moment you step inside, you’re greeted with a peaceful and elegant atmosphere that makes the experience truly special. The beautifully preserved building, once a convent, now houses incredible artwork, charming gardens, and a cozy café with delicious treats. The panoramic view of Daylesford from the balcony is simply breathtaking. Every corner of this place tells a story, making it a joy to explore. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, adding to the warm and welcoming vibe. Whether you’re an art lover, history enthusiast, or just looking for a peaceful retreat, The Convent is a must-visit.

A must-see in Daylesford! The gallery itself offers many exhibits and rooms to explore. We loved stopping by the cafe for a warm glass of mulled wine and the nun’s tonic!

One hundred percent worth a visit. Layers of beautiful art - from local artists, upon the rich history and architecture of the castle itself. Each room has it's own energy and story to tell. Modernised art cafe. By sheer providence we got to meet Tina herself, the one woman army with limitless energy that rebuilt and renovated it into what it is today. Thank you so much for the opportunity.

Lovely old building with an interesting history. Excellent art on display. Nice cafe. Staff very friendly and informative.

Beautiful buildings, delicious food in the cafe and stunning artwork in the gallery. Highly recommend

This is such a beautiful place! The building is stunning and the cafe has a fantastic atmosphere. It was a rainy day in Daylesford and this was the perfect place to warm up. I decided to take a risk and go with the roasted mushrooms and leeks. Which then seemed to have a bonus halloumi - that or I didn't read the description properly which seems more likely! As if that wasn't enough I had been having food envy checking out the scones coming out so decided to finish with those. An excellent choice as they were warm and fluffy and oh so delicious!

Remember that movie Sirens where Elle Macpherson 'acted' by spending pretty much all the movie nude? This convent slash art gallery feels like one of the really arty, pretty, regional-Australia places in that film. Came here for a wedding, and the place was good when I was sober, and supermodel stunning when I was less so, which was most of the night and a big chunk of the early morning. The chapel is sweet and intimate, and a door leads straight into the reception area so nobody gets lost, and then there's sprawling, resplendent gardens that wind up to a lookout / makeout spot, and the whole building is riddled with fancy pants artworks, from sculptures to nude paintings to mega-arty things that I couldn't recognise but desired nonetheless. "One art, please!" Don't know anyone getting married? Kick back in the cafe and have a wander and pretend you're in some eccentric millionaire's mansion.

Set atop another hill in Daylesford this spectacular gallery and cafe is a unique little slice of the arty, foody crowd from the region. My Mum and I walked in to find we were the only people dining in for lunch mid-week and we were promptly served by the incredibly friendly waiting staff. Our meals came out as quickly as the service and we shared the baked field mushrooms and a vego pizza. Mushrooms were perfectly seasoned and cooked with baked fetta on top and the individual pizza was done on a thick focaccia type bread and loaded up with plenty of veg. Both perfect and filling winter warmers! After a quick sneak peak of the gallery - via a stop to the toilets (inside the gallery) I fell in love with the diverse collections on offer. We didn't pay to peruse the whole gallery from memory, as we didn't have time, but we were impressed just with the reception area and the glassware, pottery, sculptures and large abstract artwork on the walls. Don't just go for the gallery, you must stop for breakfast, lunch or even dinner in this beautiful old restored building.

Stunning grounds, great artwork and delicious food We held a work roadshow here for 20 guests and would highly recommend for others. The catering was delicious and the staff so friendly and helpful

Is it a Gallery....is it a cafe? Well its both. I went there a few months ago for brunch and after I finished walked around the gallery and gift shop and it was time for afternoon tea. If I was not returning to Melbourne...could have stayed for dinner too! I love this place - has great food, great ambience and its just different!

Love the Convent Gallery. Have been coming here for years. Love the building. Love the gardens. Love the gifts on sale. Came here for a wedding today. What a lovely event it was. It's a great place for a wedding. Nice spots for the ceremony and reception. The staff are a real standout here. Hands down the best I've ever encountered at any wedding venue. I'm one of a number of people who mentioned it. The staff couldn't do enough for you and sometimes anticipated your needs. They are a credit to the supervisor, who herself was excellent, the establishment and the town. Guys, you're superstars.

The grounds are beautiful. I was a bit disappointed by the lack of history or exhibits on the convent history itself. The chapel was dated in a sad way....I expected authentically old and grand...? Not particularly impressed with the art collection either. The gallery shop is large and has an eclectic selection with an adjacent coffee shop. If looking to kill some time it's ok but I wouldn't go out of my way.