Hotels near Art Gallery of New South Wales

The Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) is one of Australia's leading art museums, with a permanent collection spanning European, Asian, and Australian art from the colonial period to the present. General admission is free. The gallery sits in The Domain parkland, a 10-minute walk from the Royal Botanic Garden and 15 minutes from Circular Quay. The new Sydney Modern building, opened in December 2022, doubled the gallery's exhibition space with a striking cantilevered design overlooking Woolloomooloo Bay.

The Yiribana Gallery houses one of the most significant collections of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art in the world. The gallery also hosts regular free talks, film screenings, and after-hours events on Wednesday evenings. Blockbuster exhibitions (ticketed separately) have featured artists like Matisse, Archibald Prize winners, and Japanese anime.

Pro Tip: Visit on a Wednesday evening for Art After Hours (until 10pm) when the gallery hosts live music, talks, and bar service. It is one of Sydney's best free cultural events.