The state's premier art museum, with a historic sandstone building in The Domain and the newer underground Naala Badu building, housing Australian, Aboriginal, and international collections, all free to enter.
Founded in 1871, the Art Gallery of New South Wales holds the state's leading public art collection across two connected buildings in The Domain, a green space adjoining the Royal Botanic Garden. The original 1897 sandstone building houses historical Australian and European art, while the Sydney Modern Project's Naala Badu building, opened in December 2022, doubled the gallery's exhibition space with a series of terraced pavilions built into the sandstone escarpment down toward Woolloomooloo.
The Yiribana Gallery is dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and is one of the most substantial public collections of its kind in the country. General admission to the permanent collections across both buildings is free, funded by the NSW state government, with only large-scale touring exhibitions requiring a paid ticket. A rooftop garden atop the Naala Badu building and a reflection pool at its base are free public spaces even outside gallery hours in the surrounding park.
| Admission | Adult Free general admission (ticketed exhibitions vary, typically AUD 20-30 / approx. USD 14-21) · Child Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 10AM-5PM (Naala Badu building), Wednesday until 9PM |
| Typical visit | 2-3 hours |
| Best time | Weekday morning for the quietest galleries |
| Getting there | 10-minute walk from St James train station through the Domain, or a short walk from the Royal Botanic Garden |
| Address | Art Gallery Rd, The Domain, Sydney NSW 2000 |
Good to know
- Best for
- culture, art, photography
Location
Art Gallery Rd, The Domain, Sydney NSW 2000
-33.8688, 151.2172 View on map
Highlights
- View Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art in the Yiribana Gallery
- Explore the terraced Naala Badu building built into the sandstone escarpment
- See historical Australian and European art in the 1897 sandstone building
- Walk the rooftop garden above the Naala Badu galleries
- Join a free guided highlights tour from the main entrance
Tips for visiting
- General admission to the permanent collection is free — only special touring exhibitions charge a ticket price
- The Yiribana Gallery holds one of the most significant public collections of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art in Australia
- The newer Naala Badu building, opened in 2022, is partly built into the hillside with a rooftop garden and harbour glimpses
- Free guided highlights tours run most days — check the schedule board at the main entrance
When to visit
Visit on a Wednesday evening when the gallery stays open until 9PM with a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere than weekend daytime visits.
Accessibility
Both buildings are fully wheelchair accessible with lifts connecting all levels, including the terraced galleries of the Naala Badu building. Accessible parking and drop-off are available on Art Gallery Road.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Art Gallery of NSW free to visit?
Yes, general admission to the permanent collection across both the historic building and the newer Naala Badu building is free. Only special ticketed touring exhibitions have an entry charge.
How long does a visit take?
Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours to see the highlights across both buildings; art enthusiasts can easily spend a full day given the size of the combined collection.
Is the gallery good to visit with children?
Yes, the gallery runs regular free family activities and trails, and the open plaza and rooftop garden of the Naala Badu building offer space for children to move around between galleries.