Opened in 1967, the National Gallery of Australia is one of the country’s pre-eminent galleries and museums. Located on the Molonglo River in the heart of Canberra, it’s packed with Australian and international art, including a large section of local aboriginal works. Next door to the gallery is the National Portrait Gallery, and visitors can combine the two on a full day tour that explores vibrant artwork.
With some 166,000 works of art, this gallery has one of the largest permanent collections in Australia. There are sections dedicated to Australian, Asian, and Pacific arts, along with a wide selection of European and American works. Among the enchanting collection is the intricately painted Aboriginal Memorial, and a selection of desert paintings from across the centuries. The National Gallery of Australia also hosts various travelling exhibitions, bringing important artworks from around the world to the capital. Most exhibitions are free although some temporary collections require tickets.
The gallery can be found next to Parliament House and the High Court of Australia. There are various paid parking spaces nearby although it is often easier to travel by bus and then alight at King Edward Terrace or Parkes Places East. Scheduled tours take visitors around the highlights of the permanent collection and leave at various times through the day. Within the complex, there is an excellent cafe that overlooks the Sculpture Garden.
Although opened in 1967, the gallery only rose to significant fame in the 1970s, when the art director purchased a number of expensive Western art pieces, such as Blue Poles by Jackson Pollock.