One of Australia’s flagship museums, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, is located just a short walk from Circular Quay, the Botanical Gardens and Sydney’s CBD. Many will recognise the stunning sandstone pillars of the historic Naala Nura building, next to the newer Naala Badu building, which opened in December 2022.
The Art Gallery of NSW welcomes more than two million visitors each year, cementing its status as one of Australia’s most significant cultural institutions. Founded in 1871, the Gallery recently celebrated its 150th anniversary and has continued to evolve through major expansions. In addition to hosting world-class exhibitions, it features two theatres and versatile spaces for concerts, events, dining and more.
Read on to discover what’s new at the Art Gallery of NSW, how to secure tickets for exhibitions and events, and all the insider tips to make your visit extra special.
Table of Contents
1. The best current exhibitions
The Key’s Under the Mat by Mike Hewson
New Zealand-born, Sydney-based artist Mike Hewson is next in a long line of artists aching to take over The Art Gallery of NSW’s unique, subterranean Nelson Packer Tank space, turning the industrial bunker into a concrete jungle with a park, play space, construction site, and a communal area framed by sculptural works.
Mike Hewson: The Key’s Under The Mat opened last Saturday, and is the current talk of the art world. It marks the artist’s first solo presentation in an art museum, a platform to heighten his unique approach to what an all-ages playground looks like. Visitors are encouraged to meet, dwell, play, make, perform and explore while interacting with the park’s various features. You can even do a load of laundry or take a shower in the space!
When: From October 4, 2025.
Price: Free.
Dangerously Modern
Dangerously Modern celebrates the remarkable women artists who overcame social barriers to forge international careers beyond Australia. This exciting exhibition is the first to celebrate the vital role of Australian women in shaping international modernism, featuring iconic figures like Margaret Preston, Nora Heysen and Grace Cossington Smith, as well as the under-recognised Agnes Goodsir, Justine Kong Sing and Helen Stewart. Showcasing more than 200 works, Dangerously Modern expands visitors’ understanding of modern art movements, including realism, impressionism, post-impressionism, cubism and abstraction.
When: October 11- February 15, 2026.
Price: Adult tickets: $35, Youth: $18.
2. Upcoming exhibitions to keep an eye out for
Encounter by Ron Mueck
Internationally celebrated artist Ron Mueck returns to Australia this December with a major new exhibition. Encounter will be the largest exhibition by the artist ever to be presented in Australia, and comprises sculptures drawn from across the globe, many of which have never been seen before in this country. Mueck is known for his hyperrealistic sculptures, which range from minute to massive, conveying themes that explore our relationship with the world, including birth, death, alienation and togetherness.
When: December 6, 2025- April 12, 2026.
Price: Adult tickets: $35, Youth: $18.
3. Art After Hours
Looking for a mid-week plan? Art After Hours has you covered, whether it’s date night, a friend’s night out, or something different for the family. Every Wednesday, the Art Gallery of NSW stays open late, allowing you to wander, unwind, and explore the gallery in a whole new light.
All exhibitions and collection displays remain open, and guided tours are available for those who would like an expert to lead them through the gallery.
The best part of Art After Hours is the gallery’s two-for-one deal on select exhibitions. That means every Wednesday, from 5pm to 10pm, you can get two tickets for just $35, instead of the usual $70.
There’s also a variety of lectures, talks and workshops that occur every Wednesday as part of Art After Hours. These include music programs, meditation classes, special tours and even dramatic readings. You can check out the upcoming events scheduled here.
4. The buildings
Naala Nura
The name “Naala Nura” means “seeing country” in the Dharug language. The original sandstone building was constructed 116 years ago, in 1909, and houses plenty of incredible exhibitions across its multi-level space.
Ground Floor
On the Ground Floor, you can find captivating masterpieces from the 15th century to the 20th century. Check out the 20th-century galleries, which display Australian and international art from 1900 to 1960, or the And Still I Rise exhibition in the Asian Lantern Gallery, showing beautiful works by Australian women artists.
There’s also a welcome desk where you can purchase tickets, a free cloak room, a gallery shop, the Art Gallery Restaurant, a function room and an accessible lift.
Lower Level 1
Lower level 1 also has an array of 20th-century galleries; however, these works are from the 1960s to the 2000s, exploring artwork in the later 20th century. The Asian Lantern Gallery on this level also has a collection on Asian Art called Elemental, exploring the elements historically thought to comprise the world: fire, earth, water, wind, void, wood and metal.
Facilities on Lowel Level 1 include a theatre, Centenary Auditorium, The Gallery Cafe, an accessible lift and toilets.
Lower Level 2
Lower Level 2 normally hosts some of the most anticipated exhibitions at the Art Gallery of NSW. Currently showing on Lower Level 2 is Dangerously Modern: Australian Women Artists in Europe 1890-1940, Janet Dawson: Far Away, So Close, High Colour and Raquel Caballero: The Patchwork Portal.
Lower Level 2 also has a study room, an accessible left, toilets, and changing room facilities.
Lower Level 3
At Lower Level 3, guests can find the current small display, Know Your Power: International Women’s Year 50th Anniversary 1975–2025, celebrating art by women from the library and archive.
On Lower Level 3, you can also find the Domain Theatre, Members Lounge, Library, archive and children’s art library, an accessible lift and toilets.
Naala Badu
The name “Naala Badu” means “seeing waters” in the Sydney language, referencing the adjacent waters of Sydney Harbour. The building (which opened in late 2022) features plenty of interior exhibition space, outdoor terraces and courtyards, a large public garden, as well as the adaptive reuse of two WWII naval fuel tanks into an incredible art space.
Ground Level
On the Ground Level of Naala Badu is the Yiribana Gallery, showcasing an incredible variety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. The works from across Indigenous Australia show the intricacies of cultural inheritance, the complexities of history and the strength of resilience.
On the Ground Level, there’s another welcome hub, a free cloak room, a kiosk, the gallery shop, a viewing terrace and a stepped terrace, as well as an accessible lift.
Lower Level 1
On the Lower Level 1, visitors can find the Kaldor Public Art project, an Australian non-profit arts organisation established by John Kaldor AO, to bring international artists to create site-specific art projects in Australia. For the 38th Kaldor Public Art Project, John Kaldor invited German artist Thomas Demand to create an exhibition space specifically designed to display the John Kaldor Family Collection, featuring renowned artists of over 200 works.
On Lower Level 1, you can also find the Learning Studio, MOD Dining by Clayton Wells, the Harbour Terrace, an accessible lift and toilets.
Lower Level 2
There are currently three exhibitions showing on Lower Level 2 in the Naala Badu building, including It Takes a Village, a celebration of family and community across painting, video, photography and installation, Tina Havelock Stevens: !!, which features new improvised percussive soundscape recorded in the Art Gallery’s Tank space as well as Spirit House, a work inviting contemplation by artist Lee Mingwei.
Lower level 4: The Nelson Packer Tank
Arguably the coolest space within the Art Gallery of NSW, the Nelson Packer Tank was created from a decommissioned oil tank that was built into the eastern side of the Domain in Woolloomooloo. The 2200 square metre space has incredible acoustics, making it great for concerts and gigs, previously hosting stars like Solange, Kim Gordon and André 3000.
The space is currently hosting the free Mike Hewson: The Key’s Under The Mat, an underground art park where you can shower and wash your clothes (yes, really).
The Nelson Packer Tank also has its own toilets, an accessible lift and changing room facilities.
5. Do I need a ticket?
General admission to the art gallery is free, as are many of the exhibitions. It is completely possible to visit the Art Gallery of NSW and not spend a cent; however, some of the exhibitions do require a paid ticket.
You can buy tickets to specific exhibitions here, or simply purchase tickets at the welcome hub in either the Naala Badu or Naala Nura buildings.
Tickets for exhibitions cost $35 per adult, $32 for concession, $30 for members and $18 for 12-17 year olds. A family ticket is available, costing $88 for two adults and up to three youths. Children under 12 years old go for free.
6. How to get there
The Art Gallery of NSW is located on the eastern side of Sydney’s CBD, opposite the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens. It’s a close walk from the CBD and even from Circular Quay, as you can cut through the Botanic Gardens, or through the Domain via Art Gallery Road. You can also park a Lime bike there, and there are plenty of drop-off spots for Ubers to pull into.
Train and Metro
If you’re taking public transport, both Martin Place and St James stations are an easy 10-minute walk from the Art Gallery of NSW.
Bus
The 441 bus departs from the York Street side of Queen Victoria Building (Stand D) and drops off near the Art Gallery.
Car
If you’re driving, metered parking is available on Mrs Macquarie’s Road and other streets around the Art Gallery. There are also car parks close by, including Woolloomooloo Car Park, Domain Car Park and The Wharf.
Opening Hours
The Art Gallery of NSW is open daily from 10am-5pm.
On Wednesday, it stays open until 10pm for Art After Hours (except December 24 and 31).
The Art Gallery is also closed on Christmas Day and Good Friday.
Their library and food and drink outlets have different hours.
