4 cities · 4 museums · 3 free
The best museums in Australia are National Gallery of Australia, Museum of Old and New Art and Art Gallery of New South Wales. World Museum Guide covers 4 museums in Australia across 4 cities, with admission prices, opening hours and highlights for each. 3 have free standard admission.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
| # | Museum | City | Admission | Time needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Gallery of Australia | Canberra | Free | 2–3 hours |
| 2 | Museum of Old and New Art | Hobart | From A$45 | 3–4 hours |
| 3 | Art Gallery of New South Wales | Sydney | Free | 2–3 hours |
| 4 | National Gallery of Victoria | Melbourne | Free | 2–3 hours |
Canberra, Australia
Art Museum · Best for art lovers & first-timers
The National Gallery of Australia, formerly the Australian National Gallery, is the national art museum of Australia. Located in Canberra, the gallery was established in 1967 by the Australian government, opened in 1982, and holds more than 166,000 works of art.
Free entry · ⏱ 2–3 hours
Hobart, Australia
Modern & Contemporary Art · Best for art lovers
MONA — David Walsh's subterranean museum on the Berriedale peninsula, accessible by ferry from Hobart. Provocative contemporary art, antiquities, and Australia's most debated private collection.
From A$45 · ⏱ 3–4 hours · Closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
Sydney, Australia
Art Museum · Best for art lovers & first-timers
Australia's leading public art museum opened in 1871 in The Domain overlooking Sydney Harbour. A major expansion in 2022 added the SANAA-designed Sydney Modern building — a sunken, terraced structure connected to the original neoclassical gallery by an art garden.
Free entry · ⏱ 2–3 hours
Melbourne, Australia
Art Museum · Best for art lovers & first-timers
Australia's oldest and most visited art museum — NGV International on St Kilda Road and The Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square, with Rembrandt, Tiepolo, and the famous water wall entrance.
Free entry · ⏱ 2–3 hours
The best museums in Australia are National Gallery of Australia, Museum of Old and New Art, Art Gallery of New South Wales and National Gallery of Victoria, ranked by visitor numbers and collection strength.
World Museum Guide covers 4 museums in Australia across 4 cities — 3 with free standard admission.
3 of 4 museums in our Australia guide have free standard admission: National Gallery of Australia, Art Gallery of New South Wales and National Gallery of Victoria. Special exhibitions can still be ticketed.
