Art Gallery of New South Wales
The basics
Admission to the Art Gallery of NSW—and many of its exhibitions and events—is free, with no tickets required. Explore independently to see the distinguished Western and Australian art in its Grand Courts galleries, admire the modern works in the airy spaces overlooking Sydney Harbour, and see the Asian and Aboriginal art in a series of dedicated halls.
Alternatively, simply admire the gallery’s graceful architecture; most Sydney tours combine stops to see its neo-classical colonnades with viewings of other key sights such as the Opera House, Bondi Beach, and activities such as a harbor cruise. Several private Sydney walking tours also showcase the gallery and add the option to explore inside. Many hop-on hop-off bus routes stop nearby.
Things to know before you go
- While general admission is free, visitors may need to pay to visit select exhibitions.
- The gallery is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible.
- Photography is allowed provided it doesn’t involve flashes or selfie-sticks.
- On-site amenities include restrooms, a café, a restaurant, and a gift shop.
- Allow an hour or two to look around.
How to get there
The Art Gallery of New South Wales stands in The Domain, a green space neighboring the Royal Botanic Gardens, just east of Sydney’s Central Business District (CBD). You can reach the gallery easily on foot from Macquarie Street or Hyde Park. The #441 bus stops nearby, and the nearest train stations are St. James and Martin Place. Metered street parking and payable parking lots are available nearby.
Trip ideas
When to get there
The gallery is open year-round but it’s usually closed on Christmas Day and Good Friday. Although it’s rarely overcrowded, avoid weekends and the last days of any temporary exhibition if you want to explore in the quietest environment.
Must-Sees at the Art Gallery of New South Wales
The gallery is filled with notable paintings dating from the 16th century. Its European collections occupy the Grand Courts galleries and include works by Rubens, Van Gogh, and Monet. Topping the agenda, though, is its Australian collection of paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries, including the iconic Bailed Up bushranger painting by Tom Roberts and Spring Frost by Eliot Gruner—both celebrating Australia’s landscapes.
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