10 of Australia's Best Art Galleries

Art Gallery of New South Wales

As one of the largest public galleries in Australia and the most significant in Sydney, the Art Gallery of New South Wales certainly evokes a sense of grandeur with its neoclassical Greek frontage. Inside, the collection is just as incomparable. Established in 1871, the gallery features fine art from European masters such as Vincent van Gogh, as well as Australian artists including Frederick McCubbin and John Olsen.

Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW Australia +61 2 9225 1700

As you make your way through the archway and behind the wall of water to the Great Hall, you’ll get a sense of NGV’s magnitude and architectural significance. The National Gallery of Victoria is the oldest and most visited art gallery in Australia, with more than 73,000 works of art held between the main gallery and The Ian Potter Centre. Among the most notable art works is Tom Roberts‘ Shearing the Rams. NGV also hosts temporary exhibitions such Melbourne Winter Masterpieces.

Art Gallery of South Australia

With over 38,000 works of art, the Art Gallery of South Australia holds the country’s second largest state art collection. Established in 1881, AGSA is known for its impressive collection of Indigenous Australian and colonial art as well as a significant collection of Pre-Raphaelite art and works of Heidelberg School. The gallery is also the only dedicated Islamic gallery space in Australia.

North Terrace, Adelaide SA Australia +61 8 8207 7000

Part of the Perth Cultural Centre, the Art Gallery of Western Australia opened in 1979. With over 17,000 works of art including 3,000 Indigenous works, the gallery places particular emphasis on Western Australian indigenous art. The gallery also a prominent collection of sculptural pieces as well as Twentieth Century Australian and British paintings.