McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery — Attraction in Melbourne

Harry McClelland and his sister Annie May McClelland moved to Long Island, Frankston, with their mother Eleanor McClelland in 1912. By the 1920s, they had established themselves as the centre for a bohemian group of creative personalities drawn from all strata of Victoria’s social life including Sir Daryl Lindsay, Percy Leason and W. B. McInnes.

Harry, an artist and philanthropist, and his sister, a poet and entrepreneur, enjoyed a life full of aesthetic and philosophic pursuits, with Annie May (Nan) hosting the first children’s radio program on the ABC.

The location of McClelland Gallery was originally known as ‘Studio Park’ and is the site of Harry’s painting studio. Annie May bequeathed this land and the holdings of her Estate to honour her brother’s memory by establishing the Harry McClelland Art Gallery and Cultural Hall. The gallery opened in 1971 and features the first bespoke modernist gallery designed by architects Munro and Sargent to be built in regional Victoria. It is known today as the McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery.

Harry’s studio is still to be found in the grounds of the McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery, which apart from the gallery complex, houses the community art groups of the McClelland Guild of Artists, Peninsula Woodturners Guild, Frankston Lapidary Club and the McClelland Spinners and Weavers Inc.

Today McClelland’s unique outdoor sculpture collection showcases over 100 works by prominent Australian sculptors such as Inge King, Lenton Parr, Clement Meadmore, George Baldessin, Robert Owen and Norma Redpath along with recent acquisitions including Rick Amor, Lisa Roet and Ken Unsworth. In addition, three indoor gallery spaces accommodate changing exhibitions and collection displays of works on paper, photography, painting...

Used to be free entry but $10 fee payable now unless you have the onsite Cafe booking - you will be queried at kiosk closer to the unsealed car parking area. I came to find out that since the late Dame Elisabeth Murdoch's generous legacy dried up - the management has had to introduce a fee levy. Fair enough if this is the actual reason for entry fee, as public liability insurance is crippling. Most art installations here are outdoors in a sprawling bush setting, so visiting in good weather is recommended.

It is definitely worthwhile to visit - the outdoors massive art installations scattered around & some hidden are often exhibited along freeways, in wineries & other art galleries. The John Meade indoor exhibition on recent Dec 17 visit was one those...you know - roll your eyes thing. I am sure the artist has his dedicated fans for his efforts..yeah..🙄..

Kids will enjoy the visit though pushing anything on wheels will take some effort as you have to navigate unsealed bush tracks on uneven terrain. Saw lots of visitors having picnic in front lawn expanse where created pond is located. Amenities are in main building next to indoor Cafe. The gift shop is a great place to buy art related gifts like calendars, coasters, tea towels, books etc - priced to match exclusive uniqueness. Spray insect repellent in...

What an amazing place McClelland Gallery & Sculpture Park is. On a beautiful autumn day we visited the park and my 3 year old was in awe of the sculptures as soon as we pulled in the gate. This vast property has stunning sculptures dotted throughout the gardens, each with a striking feature. It was great to wander around talking to little miss about the shapes, colours, textures and materials. Some sculptures even have sounds from beautiful chimes to tweeting birds.

There is also the gallery indoors which you can wander around however some of these images/artworks were quite confronting for little eyes.

The Café has quite a diverse range of food which is both tasty and reasonably priced. Food suitable for kids is quite limited but they were more than happy to do a toasted cheese sandwich for us. If you wish to bring your own food then you are more than welcome to have a picnic at the table on the deck.

The walk around the property is quite long and pleased be warned that the path is quite uneven so it was certainly a workout pushing my stroller around, but we enjoyed every minute of the 3 hours...