- Art Gallery of NSW

· The three-level exhibition halls are underground. While the building's exterior isn't particularly tall, its intricately carved structure leaves a lasting impression.
· The fourth floor's bright halls feature 19th-century European and Australian art on one side and 20th-century Australian art on the other.
· The third floor showcases Asian and Oceanic art, with a significant portion dedicated to Chinese, Indian, and Japanese sculptures, ceramics, and paintings.
· The first floor displays traditional and contemporary Aboriginal art.

Transportation

  1. Sightseeing Bus: Take the City Sightseeing Bus (Red Line) to Stop 12

  2. From Circular Quay: 15-minute walk from Sydney Opera House

  3. Metro: Take Line A to Flaminio Station, 10-minute walk

  4. Train: Alight at St James or Martin Place Station, 10-minute walk

  5. Bus: Take Bus 441 to Art Gallery Of NSW stop, or Bus 910 from Termini Station to Museo Borghese stop (200m walk)

Admission
(January 1 - December 31, Monday-Sunday)
Tips: Prices vary by exhibition, please check at the venue

Opening Hours
10:00-17:00 (January 1 - December 31, Monday-Sunday)
Tips: Please verify actual opening hours at the venue

Location
Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

 

Savannah Johnson Mar 31,2025

Australia's short history means there isn't much to see in museums, so I, a museum enthusiast, transformed into an art gallery enthusiast here.

The Art Gallery of NSW (New South Wales) is located near the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens. Though not very large, it houses countless masterpieces and is free to visit (except for temporary exhibitions). Beyond the well-known works of Monet, Picasso, and Cézanne:

Frederic Leighton, the most famous painter of 19th-century British Aestheticism, created endlessly captivating paintings of women with perfect curves and lines;

The widely popular Italian landscape painter Antonio Canaletto, whose architectural paintings are meticulously realistic, while his figures have an adorable cartoon-like style;

16th-century Florentine Mannerist painter Agnolo Bronzino, whose portraits feature distinctive characters with strong period characteristics and rich details that leave lasting impressions;

My favorite Australian sculptor Bertram Mackennal, whose works I've seen in the Victoria Gallery, South Australian Gallery, and NSW Gallery. His sculptures are both realistic and beautiful, with carefully studied muscles, bones, and expressions.

The Art Gallery of NSW, besides its Australian and European classical art galleries, also has significant collections of Asian and modern art. However, I've seen countless Asian art pieces (like Buddha statues) in China, and I can't quite appreciate modern art with its abstract and magical nature, lacking straightforward beauty.

Even so, the Art Gallery of NSW should be on everyone's must-visit list in Sydney.

Viewing time varies by person - I personally loved it so much that I went twice, spending over two hours each time.