Art Gallery of South Australia
The Basics
There is no charge to enter the Art Gallery of South Australia, although there may be a fee for special exhibitions. The museum operates free guided tours each day: The express tour, which targets Adelaidians on their lunch break, is perfect for time-pressed travelers. To learn more about the building’s architecture and history, consider an Adelaide heritage tour, which places the museum in its North Terrace context.
Things to Know Before You Go
Art lovers and those with an interest in Indigenous culture should visit the Art Gallery of South Australia.
As in most of central Adelaide, free Wi-Fi is available.
The museum is fully wheelchair accessible, with accessible bathrooms and dedicated parking for people with disabilities. Phone ahead if you need to borrow a wheelchair.
Audio-described and multisensory tours run on the third Saturday of each month, with sign language tours available as well.
How to Get There
The Art Gallery of South Australia sits on North Terrace, the grand boulevard which marks the northern boundary of downtown Adelaide. It’s easy to reach on foot from most city-center locations, and a 5-minute walk from Adelaide Railway Station (turn left when you exit the station). Among other buses and trams, the free 99A and 99C services run along North Terrace.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
The Art Gallery of South Australia is open from morning until late afternoon, seven days a week, closing only on Christmas Day. Guided tours run in the late morning and early afternoon daily, with express tours at lunchtime every day but Tuesday. On the first Friday of each month, the gallery stays open into the evening.
The Story of the Art Gallery of South Australia
In 1856, not long after free British colonizers arrived in what would become the state of South Australia, settlers established the South Australian Society of Arts. The National Gallery of South Australia opened its doors to the public in 1881, and the current building was completed in 1900. The gallery was the first Australian museum to acquire Aboriginal art, starting in 1939—notable as the country has not historically treated its Indigenous population well.
- Things to do in South Australia
- Things to do in Ballarat
- Things to do in Melbourne
- Things to do in Yarra Valley
- Things to do in Victoria
- Things to do in Tasmania
- Things to do in New South Wales
- Things to do in Queensland
- Things to do in Northern Territory
- Things to do in Western Australia
- Things to do in South Island
- South Australian Museum
- State Library of South Australia (SLSA)
- Migration Museum
- Parliament House
- Rundle Mall
- Adelaide Zoo
- Adelaide Oval
- National Wine Centre of Australia
- Victoria Square
- St. Peter's Cathedral, Adelaide
- Adelaide Central Market
- Light's Vision
- Adelaide Gaol
- Haigh’s Chocolates Visitor Centre
- River Torrens Linear Park Trail