It’s not often that we advocate leaving Brisbane, but this is for good reason. Marilyn Monroe is coming to Australia for her first-ever visit, but she’s only making one stop – Bendigo. In a major coup for the Australian arts scene, Bendigo Art Gallery and Twentieth Century Fox present Marilyn Monroe will offer an unprecedented look at the career of one of the most universally recognised figures in Hollywood. Sourced from several private collections around the world, the exhibition will feature artefacts, clothing and other objects belonging to or worn by Marilyn, as well as more than 20 original film costumes. The collaboration also allows never-before-seen access to a selection of wardrobe test photographs, lobby cards, film posters and more from 12 of Marilyn’s films. To celebrate this momentous occasion, the streets of Bendigo will be buzzing like the boulevards of Hollywood – film marathons, after-hours soirees and glamorous tram rides throughout Bendigo will be taking place for the exhibition’s duration.

Few performers from Hollywood’s Golden Age made as much of an impact as Marilyn Monroe, and this exhibition will showcase the starlet’s transformation from girl next door to larger-than-life icon. In addition to the exhibition’s curated selection of personal items and costumes from throughout Marilyn’s career, the Bendigo Art Gallery will also be hosting free seminars on Marilyn’s impact on film, art and culture, screen-printing workshops, cocktail parties and more. You’ll even be able to get up close and personal with Marilyn in that famous Seven Year Itch white dress – well, an 8-m version of her. Seward Johnson’s iconic Forever Marilyn sculpture is making its first journey outside of the USA on the streets of Bendigo in conjunction with the exhibition. Now is the time to start planning your trip for this rare opportunity – you might like to time your visit with a film marathon event, and Art & Tea guest speaker event, or get intimate with Marilyn After Hours. Tickets are on sale now.

Image credit: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes © 1953 and 2016 Fox; Marilyn Monroe, the Hat Sitting 1958 by Carl Perutz, courtesy Pete Livingston/www.perutz.net; Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes © 1953 and 2016 Twentieth Century Fox; Marilyn Monroe wardrobe test for How To Marry a Millionaire © 1953 and 2016 Twentieth Century Fox