Art Gallery of New South Wales

Art Gallery of New South Wales

Art Gallery of New South Wales
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
From its magnificent site on Sydney Harbour, on Gadigal land, the Art Gallery of New South Wales is one of Australia’s flagship art museums and the state’s leading visual arts institution. In 2022 the Art Gallery completed their significant expansion through the Sydney Modern Project. This transformation creates a new art museum campus across two buildings connected by a public art garden in one of the world’s most beautiful cultural precincts. The expanded Art Gallery is one of the finest tourism destinations in Australia and an absolute must-see for an art and cultural experience in Sydney. A 15min walk from the CBD, admission is free and has a number of free and paid experiences, or follow your own path with Dora, the Art Gallery’s free audio guide. Dine at Crafted by Matt Moran or MOD. Dining by Clayton Wells. Enjoy refreshments from the Gallery Café, or Kiosk featuring a takeaway menu with each item, curated by Indigenous Elder Aunty Beryl Van-Oploo.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Central Business District
The Sydney Central Business District is abuzz with energy. Power brokers run to and from high rise buildings and after-work drink places, high-end shoppers tour venues like the QVB, and fine diners frequent the many celebrity chef restaurants. For a dose of culture, walk to the NSW Art Gallery, or visit the Sydney Museum. To escape the hustle and bustle, reconnect with nature at the Sydney Botanical Gardens or picnic lunch at High Park. No matter your interest, be sure to check the full calendar of events hosted by the city, from the Sydney Festival in January to October’s Good Food Month at Hyde Park.
How to get there
  • St James • 7 min walk
  • Martin Place • 7 min walk
Reach out directly
See what travellers are saying
  • Jovana D
    Brisbane, Australia236 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Eye-opening Exhibitions
    I recently visited the gallery for the first time on my trip to Sydney. I was amazed by the number of exhibitions on multiple levels. I particularly enjoyed the 19th century artwork from Europe and the exhibition of year 12 NSW art students from 2022. I recommend having a break at The Gallery Cafe and having visiting the shop. Highly recommended if you have half a day while visiting Sydney.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 13 May 2023
  • MosesPH
    1,501 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    South Building Is Just as Amazing!
    Came here recently for an Art Treasure Hunt with a group of friends. So many wonderful galleries to look through and enjoy. Wonderful pieces of art works hanging on the walls including modern art pieces/sculptures. Free entry for most of the gallery and some special exhibitions are ticketed. Visit the Art Gallery Restaurant for a coffee or bite for lunch and don't miss visiting the Gallery shop. All in all a very inspiring place to visit. Make sure you leave a good 2-3 hours to spend here.
    Visited March 2023
    Written 15 May 2023
  • Vickey B
    Perth, Australia55 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    ARCHI 2023
    Have to see the Archibald if it is on when in Sydney. The works this year were by and large very good, a few duds, but you can't please everyone. Enjoyed evesdropping on all the pseudo art critics who were very entertaining. Young Archies were absolutely brilliant. Well worth the visit. Bit hot in the underground.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 18 May 2023
  • Jorajudy F
    Cyprus14 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Top Tier Artwork
    It's amazing venue, lots of art work of many different kinds. Perfect to explore and look through with friends and family. They have small cafe and restaurants inside as well. The entry is free.
    Visited January 2023
    Written 25 May 2023
  • Madeline H
    Cairns Region, Australia150 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Artastic way to Spend the Morning
    Went here in early May to see the Archibald 2023. Even though we had to queue in a long line before seeing the exhibit it moved very quickly. There were soo many amazing artworks, (some painted by famous people & some of famous people) all vying one of several art prizes in offer; The Packing Room, Wynne, Sulman & the Archibald prizes. There were also many artworks hoping to win the Young Archibald Prize. You can spend several hours looking at the amazing artworks. There is also a cafe where you can grab a bite to eat or a drink, as well as a gift shop full of lovely gifs.
    Visited May 2023
    Written 25 May 2023
  • Susan C
    Melbourne, Australia810 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Archibald prize viewing
    We visited the Art Gallery of New South Wales on Sunday May 14th when it opened at 10 am to view the Archibald 2023 prize exhibition (which I found out is also the Wynne and Sulman prizes). We purchased tickets (though the queuing for that was odd as there were no clear entry and exit points) and was able to immediately enter the exhibition. The first room was very busy so we jumped ahead and then came back to it. Sometimes we missed the winners because you have to read the signs carefully. The Young Archibald paintings were also incredible. We had time at the end to view the older Australian artists' painting. such as Streeton, Fox, etc. I am glad I visited here as when the Archibald exhibition comes to Victoria it is only on display in one regional museum.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 31 May 2023
  • wombatdavid
    Hobart, Australia2,570 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Love the new building
    The new building is amazing. We loved the displays, especially the Yiribana galleries. Check out the terrace too with views over Sydney and also the basement area which has a striking pillared hall. A must see in Sydney if you love art and it is free to enter!
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 23 June 2023
  • south grey grey
    Canberra, Australia4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Paradise
    the subterranean exhibition in the modern was incredible. the original always has something special on show and always shifting. check out the cinema - I’ve seen some wonderful films downstairs like chris marker, documentaries into the obscure.
    Visited May 2023
    Written 31 July 2023
  • springbanktraveller
    872 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of the Best
    There are so many exhibits to see from Australian artists to the more modern, and more specifically many Indigenous paintings and works of art all displayed well. A cafeteria is on site. No flash cameras to be used inside the building. The art callery adjacent was, to my mind, a waste of space and had nothing much of interest to many spectators unfortunately. Perhaps it is used for specific gatherings for meetings and functions. A nice building however. Near the Botannical Gardens it is an easy walk from the central business district. An ideal trip for school children. No admission fees.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 28 August 2023
  • teenyt70
    Perth, Australia55 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing!
    Had some time to fill in so thought I’d visit the Art Gallery of NSW for an hour, I ended up spending several as there are so many artworks on display. The South building has many recognisable pieces from artists like Nolan, McCubbin, Matisse and more. Highly recommended!
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 7 September 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles3,161 reviews
Excellent
2,046
Very good
916
Average
169
Poor
21
Terrible
10

Sarah C
Ashtead, UK1,290 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
We were recommended this gallery and it was certainly unusual, with underground experiences and wacky modern art sculptures, and lovely views out to the harbour area. Not much of the art was to our tastes but the building was interesting and the experience fascinating
Written 27 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Michael S
Sydney, Australia186 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
I've been a member of AGNSW for a decade. The exhibitions are always impressive. A current standout is Kandinsky. What impresses me most is AGNSW's permanent collection. You have Monet, Bacon, Pissarro, Seurat, Grace Cossington Smith, Olsen, Whitely and my favourite - John Russell's In the Afternoon - a relatively recent acquisition. This is housed in the North Building along with many superb works of art. Then there's the new South Building, which is still finding its footing.

This is a world-class museum with similar artwork you would have to travel to LA or NY to see. Resident or tourist, don't miss out on one of the best cultural gems of the city.
Written 18 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia45,458 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
We visited the Art Gallery Of New South Wales to view an amazing exhibition, entitled Has the Day Invaded the Night or Has the Night Invaded the Day? displaying works by the artist Louise Bourgeois (1911-2010). As the information leaflet says, Bourgeois is an artist of extremes and conflicting impulses, a fearless explorer of the mystery and complexity of our relations with ourselves and others. Love and rage, conscious and unconscious, order and chaos, trust and abandonmnet. Traversing these polarities, she made art of strange beauty and piercing emotional power.
Written 10 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

london057
Dublin, OH695 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
First of all this is the Metropolitan Museum of Art 🖼️ of Sydney. Second they have a great Australian art collection. Third they have great 19th century art 🖼️ collection too . Lastly , they have a great European art 🖼️ collection too .
Written 21 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joy H
Spring, TX310 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
A very nice museum. Lots of different kinds of art in one building. The restaurant was pretty good too.
Written 7 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your kind words. We're glad you enjoyed your visit. Please feel free to let us know how we can help to improve your experience next time.
Written 19 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

CodyDC
Washington DC, DC5,937 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Solo
On a global scale, I would consider this a mid-size art museum including both buildings. There is a lot of things to see and were enjoyable, and if are an art lover and never been to Sydney before, I would recommend a visit. But not sure I would go back too many times if I lived in Sydney. I'm not a fan of modern art, so that may have contributed to my rating.
Written 6 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Cody, thanks for your review and thoughts. By all means please let us know what you would like to see more of in the future and we'll feedback your suggestions to our curatorial team. Kind regards, Andrew
Written 19 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

AnuH
Kochi (Cochin), India241 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
You cannot miss this place if you like art!! Plus it is a great place to escape the burning sun of Sydney!! We have been to museums in UK & Italy. The exhibits here are different. A mix of modern & old. Nice.
Written 19 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Denis F
Dublin, Ireland38 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Solo
Saturday the 25th of November was part of the Black Friday weekend and the temperature in Sydney was 20 with persistent rain. Paramore were playing a concert across the road. There was no better place to go than the Gallery of New South Wales. I spent three full hours in the gallery. The gallery is a beautiful building. There is a fantastic selection of Art in the gallery. My favourite was Picasso's Nude in a rocking chair. A must visit on a trip to Sydney.
Written 25 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ALAN S
Yell, UK93 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
We really did not know what to expect. The gallery name sounds a little regional, but this is one of the most exciting galleries we have experienced anywhere in the world. We went specifically for the Kandinsky exhibition, which was beautifully curated. However, the star of the show for us was the ceramics room, curated by Glenn Barkley. It was absolutely stunning. The room has been specially painted to highlight individual pieces, and the way the ceramics are displayed, on simple custom-made stands, is mind-blowing.
The gallery also has a wonderful, and eclectic, collection, from Modigliani to Peploe.

We also visited the new gallery next door, which is a beautiful modernist building, with some beautiful aboriginal paintings and artefacts.
Written 21 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Anh Arma'an
Sydney, Australia2,749 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Friends
Visited the Kandinsky exhibition today with a friend visiting from Singapore.

Curated with the Guggenheim Museum in NYC from it’s own significant collection. A tribute to the daddy of lyrical colour and form in modern art …. a truly brilliant exhibition following the development of Kandinsky’s paintings. Perfect way to spend a good 2-3 hours on a weekend in Sydney.
Written 12 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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