National Gallery of Australia
Quick answer
National Gallery of Australia in Canberra, Australia — the National Gallery of Australia, formerly the Australian National Gallery, is the national art museum of Australia. Open daily, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Admission: free admission to the permanent collection. Allow 2–3 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
National Gallery of Australia at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Daily: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Admission | Free admission to the permanent collection |
| Free access | Permanent collection always free · Blockbuster exhibitions ticketed |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
| Getting there | Bus: ACTION Buses routes 3, 7, 51 to National Gallery stop on Parkes Place |
| Address | Parkes Pl E, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia |
| Official website | nga.gov.au |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is National Gallery of Australia known for?
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.
Designed in the late Brutalist style by the architect Colin Madigan, the building was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 12 October 1982. The building is recognized by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects as a building of national significance.
It holds the world's largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, with major holdings including the Aboriginal Memorial — 200 hollow log coffins from Central Arnhem Land — and an extensive collection of Western Desert paintings.
International highlights include Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles, one of the most discussed art purchases in Australian history, alongside major works by Monet, Picasso, and Warhol.
Best for: Art Lovers · First-timers · Rainy-day visits
How long do you need at National Gallery of Australia?
Allow 2–3 hours. A focused route through 2 must-see highlights at National Gallery of Australia without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Blue Poles
📍 International Art, Level 1
Australia's most famous and controversial art purchase — bought for $1.3 million in 1973 (a world record at the time) amid accusations of government extravagance.
- 2
Abstract (Leaf)
📍 Australian Indigenous Art
Kngwarreye began painting at 79 and produced an astonishing body of work in just 8 years.
What are the must-see works at National Gallery of Australia?
2 highlights that define the collection: Blue Poles, Abstract (Leaf).
Blue Poles
Jackson Pollock · 1952
📍 International Art, Level 1
Australia's most famous and controversial art purchase — bought for $1.3 million in 1973 (a world record at the time) amid accusations of government extravagance. Now valued at over $350 million. Pollock's drip-painting is one of the most important works of Abstract Expressionism outside the United States.
Abstract (Leaf)
Emily Kame Kngwarreye · 1994
📍 Australian Indigenous Art
Kngwarreye began painting at 79 and produced an astonishing body of work in just 8 years. Her large canvases of interlocking dots and lines depicting the ecology of her Utopia homeland in central Australia have been exhibited internationally.
Collections and highlights
- • Blue Poles by Jackson Pollock
- • The Aboriginal Memorial by 43 artists from Ramingining
- • In a Corner on the MacIntyre by Tom Roberts
- • The Skull of a Skeleton with Burning Cigarette by Vincent van Gogh
- • Sidney Nolan's Ned Kelly series
How do you get to National Gallery of Australia?
- bus ACTION Buses routes 3, 7, 51 to National Gallery stop on Parkes Place
- walk Parkes cultural precinct — 15-minute walk from the City Bus Interchange or 20 minutes from Parliament House
- taxi 5-minute taxi from the centre of Canberra
Address: Parkes Pl E, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia
National Gallery of Australia: frequently asked questions
Is the National Gallery of Australia free to visit?
Yes — admission to the National Gallery of Australia's permanent collection is free. Some major touring and special exhibitions carry a separate ticket price (typically A$20–$35). The gallery is open daily 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and is closed on Christmas Day. Located in Parkes, Canberra, it is easily reached from the city centre; free parking is available on site.
What is Blue Poles by Jackson Pollock and why is it controversial?
Blue Poles (1952) is a large-scale abstract expressionist painting by Jackson Pollock, 212.1 × 488.9 cm, created using his signature drip technique. It was purchased by the Australian government in 1973 for A$1.3 million — then the highest price ever paid for an American painting. The purchase was politically controversial in Australia at the time, with opposition politicians and media attacking it as wasteful public spending. The painting is now valued at over A$350 million and is considered one of the great acquisitions in Australian cultural history.
What is the Aboriginal Memorial at the National Gallery of Australia?
The Aboriginal Memorial (1988) is a monumental collaborative work by 43 artists from the Ramingining community in Central Arnhem Land, created to mark the Australian Bicentenary. It consists of 200 hollow log coffins (dupun), each representing a year of non-indigenous settlement in Australia and honouring the Aboriginal people who died defending their lands during that period. The installation occupies an entire gallery and is considered one of the most significant and moving works in Australian art — the emotional and spiritual heart of the NGA's collection.
What are the highlights of the National Gallery of Australia collection?
Blue Poles (1952) by Jackson Pollock; the Aboriginal Memorial (1988) — 200 hollow log coffins by 43 Arnhem Land artists; Sidney Nolan's Ned Kelly series (1946–47) — 27 paintings depicting the bush outlaw's legend; In a Corner on the MacIntyre (1895) by Tom Roberts; The Skull of a Skeleton with Burning Cigarette (1885) by Van Gogh; and a superb Asian art collection, particularly strong in Japanese, Indian, and Southeast Asian works. The international collection includes works by Monet, Picasso, Warhol, and Bacon.
How long does a visit to the National Gallery of Australia take?
The NGA has 11 galleries across a brutalist concrete building designed by Colin Madigan (1982), expanded by a new wing. The permanent collection alone covers Australian art (colonial to contemporary), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, Asian art, and international art. A focused visit to the highlights — Aboriginal Memorial, Nolan's Kelly series, Blue Poles, and the international galleries — takes 2–3 hours. A thorough visit takes a full day. The Sculpture Garden on the lake shore is free and worth exploring.
How long should I spend at National Gallery of Australia?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights of National Gallery of Australia. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
Is National Gallery of Australia open on Mondays?
Yes — National Gallery of Australia is open every day of the week, including Mondays and Sundays: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Check the official website for holiday hours.
What are National Gallery of Australia's opening hours?
National Gallery of Australia is open daily, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.