Art Gallery of New South Wales
Quick answer
Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia — australia's leading public art museum opened in 1871 in The Domain overlooking Sydney Harbour. Open daily, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Wednesday until 10:00 PM. Admission: free general admission (special exhibitions ticketed). Allow 2–3 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Art Gallery of New South Wales at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Daily: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Wednesday until 10:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Admission | Free general admission (special exhibitions ticketed) |
| Free access | General collection always free · Special exhibitions ticketed |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
| Best time to visit | Wednesday evenings until 10 PM for Art After Hours. |
| Getting there | Bus: Route 400 from Bondi Junction or Circular Quay stops at Art Gallery Road |
| Address | Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia |
| Official website | artgallery.nsw.gov.au |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Art Gallery of New South Wales known for?
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.
The collection spans Australian art from colonial times to the present, alongside strong holdings in Asian art, European old masters, and contemporary international work. The Yiribana Gallery holds one of the largest collections of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art in the country.
Free general admission to the permanent collection makes AGNSW one of the best-value major museums in the world. The harbour views from the Sydney Modern rooftop are alone worth the visit.
Best for: Art Lovers · First-timers · Families
How long do you need at Art Gallery of New South Wales?
Allow 2–3 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Art Gallery of New South Wales without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
The Visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon
📍 European Art Gallery, Historic Building
A monumental Victorian history painting — one of the gallery's most dramatic 19th-century acquisitions, filling an entire wall with Orientalist spectacle.
- 2
Five bells
📍 Australian Art Gallery
A vast mural inspired by Kenneth Slessor's poem about Sydney Harbour — a defining work of modern Australian art and a gallery icon.
- 3
Uta Uta Tjangala — Yumari
📍 Yiribana Gallery
A major Papunya Tula dot painting mapping a sacred Dreaming site — representative of the gallery's world-leading Aboriginal art collection.
- 4
Sydney Modern Water Window
📍 Sydney Modern Building, Level 4
A floor-to-ceiling glass wall framing Sydney Harbour and the Opera House — architecture as landscape painting.
What are the must-see works at Art Gallery of New South Wales?
4 highlights that define the collection: The Visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon, Five bells, Uta Uta Tjangala — Yumari and more.
The Visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon
Edward Poynter · 1890
📍 European Art Gallery, Historic Building
A monumental Victorian history painting — one of the gallery's most dramatic 19th-century acquisitions, filling an entire wall with Orientalist spectacle.
Five bells
John Olsen · 1963
📍 Australian Art Gallery
A vast mural inspired by Kenneth Slessor's poem about Sydney Harbour — a defining work of modern Australian art and a gallery icon.
Uta Uta Tjangala — Yumari
Uta Uta Tjangala · 1981
📍 Yiribana Gallery
A major Papunya Tula dot painting mapping a sacred Dreaming site — representative of the gallery's world-leading Aboriginal art collection.
Sydney Modern Water Window
SANAA · 2022
📍 Sydney Modern Building, Level 4
A floor-to-ceiling glass wall framing Sydney Harbour and the Opera House — architecture as landscape painting.
Collections and highlights
- • Australian art from colonial to contemporary
- • Yiribana Gallery — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art
- • Asian art collection
- • European art including old masters
- • Sydney Modern building and rooftop views
Tips for visiting Art Gallery of New South Wales
- 1.
Best time to visit
Wednesday evenings until 10 PM for Art After Hours. Weekday mornings are quietest. The Sydney Modern rooftop is best at sunset.
- 2.
Tickets & booking
Permanent collection is free. Special exhibitions are ticketed — book online for popular shows.
- 3.
Accessibility
Both buildings are fully accessible. Lifts connect all levels of Sydney Modern.
- 4.
Photography rules
Non-flash photography permitted in permanent collection galleries. Special exhibitions may restrict photography.
How do you get to Art Gallery of New South Wales?
- bus Route 400 from Bondi Junction or Circular Quay stops at Art Gallery Road
- train St James or Martin Place station — 15-minute walk through Hyde Park and The Domain
- walk 10-minute walk from the Sydney Opera House through the Royal Botanic Garden
- ferry Circular Quay ferry wharf — 20-minute walk through The Domain
Address: Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Art Gallery of New South Wales: frequently asked questions
Is the Art Gallery of NSW free?
Yes — the permanent collection is free. Temporary exhibitions in the Sydney Modern and historic buildings require paid tickets. The gallery is in The Domain, walking distance from the Opera House.
How long should I spend at Art Gallery of New South Wales?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights of Art Gallery of New South Wales. Our 4-stop route — The Visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon, Five bells, Uta Uta Tjangala — Yumari and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Art Gallery of New South Wales best known for?
Australia's leading public art museum — Australian, European, and Asian art overlooking Sydney Harbour, expanded in 2022 with the SANAA-designed Sydney Modern building. Key highlights include Australian art from colonial to contemporary, Yiribana Gallery — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, Asian art collection.
How do I get tickets for Art Gallery of New South Wales?
Free general admission (special exhibitions ticketed). You can walk in without a ticket; paid exhibitions are booked separately. Official site: https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/
What is Sydney Modern?
A new building designed by SANAA (Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa) that opened in December 2022, doubling the gallery's display space. It connects to the original 19th-century building via an outdoor art garden.
Where is the best harbour view?
The Sydney Modern building has a public rooftop with panoramic views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge. Access is free with general admission.
Is AGNSW near the Opera House?
Yes — a 10-minute walk through the Royal Botanic Garden connects the gallery to the Sydney Opera House and Circular Quay.
Is Art Gallery of New South Wales open on Mondays?
Yes — Art Gallery of New South Wales is open every day of the week, including Mondays and Sundays: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Wednesday until 10:00 PM. Check the official website for holiday hours.
What are Art Gallery of New South Wales's opening hours?
Art Gallery of New South Wales is open daily, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Wednesday until 10:00 PM. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.