Best Canberra Galleries To Visit | Australian Traveller

There are a lot of treasures to be found in Canberra galleries. Use our guide to create an itinerary that loops in everything from major institutions to intimate galleries.

Canberra galleries are well known around the country for being a major draw for visitors to the nation’s capital. From backyard studios to landmark galleries and outdoor exhibitions, a visit to Kamberri/Canberra on the Traditional Lands of the Ngunnawal people is worth multiple return visits.

Here are the best galleries to visit in Canberra.

1. The Gallery of Small Things

The art on show in Anne Masters’ backyard studio is wide-ranging. Masters runs Canberra’s tiniest walk-in gallery and showcases everyone from up-and-coming designers to established artists. The Gallery of Small Things is a great snapshot of Canberra’s creative talent, while also offering a platform for local artists.

Anne Masters’ backyard studio at The Gallery of Small Things, Canberra — Step into Anne Masters’ backyard studio. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Anne transformed her 1960s laundry into a tiny gallery so she could realise her dream of starting up workshops to assist artists with business basics. Masters’ big idea, to celebrate all things small, continues to grow. Visit the Watson Gallery to find a carefully curated exhibition of works in textiles, jewellery, photography, paintings and print media.

art displays at The Gallery of Small Things, Canberra — Find a carefully curated exhibition of works at The Gallery of Small Things. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: 27 Wade Street

2. Canberra Glassworks

Canberra Glassworks is both a glass studio and gallery where you can observe the art of glass making and purchase bespoke pieces. It is the largest professional facility dedicated to studio glass in Australia and is housed in the. Visit Canberra Glassworks to gain insights into the practices of artists working in contemporary glass art, craft and design.

the glass making process at Canberra Glassworks — Observe the art of glass making inside the glass studio. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Peer into the Engine Room to see the artists in residence developing glass art that ranges from pendant lighting and wine decanters to experimental installations. The gallery housed in the heritage-listed Kingston Powerhouse also offers courses ranging from beadmaking to term-long workshops to sculpt your own chess set.

Admire colourful glassware at Canberra Glassworks. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: 11 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston

3. National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery houses a collection of significant portraits of famous and infamous Aussies from across the ages. Those featured are considered important in their field of endeavour or are people whose lives set them apart as an individual of long-term public interest.

The NPG’s soaring structure opened in 1968. But it continues to move with the times, with everything from exhibitions to events, live-streaming activations and apps. Take a guided tour of the gallery and you will be led to a portrait of Truganini, one of the most well-known names in Indigenous history.

Expect to see familiar faces such as singer Nick Cave, entertainer Barry Humphries and surfer Mick Fanning amid the 1400 portraits on display.

a woman entering the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra — Take a guided tour of the National Portrait Gallery. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: King Edward Terrace, Parkes

4. National Gallery of Australia

If you only had 72 hours in Canberra, you’d factor in a visit to the National Gallery of Australia . Opened by the late Queen Elizabeth II on 12 October 1982, the National Gallery of Australia features a comprehensive collection that encompasses Australian, Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander, American, European, Asian and Pacific art. All up, there are about 166,000 works that make up the permanent collection.

a couple admiring artworks at he National Gallery of Australia in Canberra — Factor in a visit to the National Gallery of Australia. (Image: VisitCanberra)

The gallery’s vision is to ‘be a source of inspiration for the people of Australia.’ It was established in 1967 by the Australian Government as a national public art museum.

colourful lights at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra — Tthe National Gallery of Australia in Canberra celebrates art from Australia and the world. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Don’t miss the stunning outdoor Sculpture Garden which showcases 26 sculptures made by international and Australian artists.

the outdoor Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra — The permanent collection features approximately 166,000 works. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: Parkes Pl E, Parkes

5. See Canberra street art

Feel the pulse of the underground art scene in Canberra by celebrating the artists who embrace brick walls as their medium. All up, there are about 350 murals painted around Canberra. Use Street Art Cities as a guide to map out your walking tour of the nation’s capital to see its best street art.

s superman street mural at Tocumwal Lane — See Superhero-themed artworks along Tocumwal Lane. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Favourite places include Tocumwal Lane , a tourist attraction for its stylised Superhero-themed artworks by local artists such as Sprinkles, Josh Roy Barlow, George Rose and Anna Keightley. You will also see some of Canberra’s best street art along the Condamine Street Art Turner Trail that loops in works by local artists Happy Decay and Byrd. The entire PCYC building is considered a living canvas.

family admiring a graffiti in Braddon — Go on a walking tour to discover the city’s best art. (Image: Lightbulb for VisitCanberra)

6. Grainger Gallery

Those wanting to see the works of emerging artists in Canberra galleries should head to Grainger Gallery . The space set up by Canberra artist Kacy Grainger features everything from pencil drawings to landscapes and photographs that look almost like abstract art.

Grainger Gallery serves to establish a place for local artists to show their works. And walking around the Fyshwick gallery is akin to a master class of a new way of seeing. The collections on show here move through different moods in celebration of art and nature, and all that is changing and ephemeral.

Address: Building 3.3, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick

7. Canberra Museum and Gallery

There’s a bit of crossover between what constitutes a museum and a gallery in Canberra. As the nation’s capital, there are attractions that tick both boxes as places that document the country’s social history and celebrate its collection of art.

black and white patterns on the facade of Canberra Museum and Gallery — The Canberra Museum and Gallery tells the story of the place chosen to be Australia’s national capital in 1909. (Image: VisitCanberra)

From stories honouring our First Nations people, to moving images and narratives around identity and belonging, the Canberra Museum + Gallery tells the story of the place chosen to be Australia’s national capital in 1909. CMAG is home to the Foundation Collection of Sir Sidney Nolan’s paintings, donated by the artist in 1974.

visitors exploring the Canberra Museum and Gallery — See a creative assortment of artistry at the Canberra Museum and Gallery. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: Cnr London Circuit and Civic Square

8. Beaver Galleries

Beaver Galleries is one of the best Canberra galleries to celebrate the city’s hard-working commercial artists. The gallery is the longest-established privately owned gallery in Canberra and a great place to see what emerging contemporary artists have been beavering away on.

The Deakin Gallery has three spacious rooms that feature work in a diverse range of disciplines from sculpture to printmaking and painting. Want to pick up some Canberra art as a souvenir? There’s a gallery shop with select works by Australian designers and makers.

Address: 81 Denison Street

9. Craft + Design Canberra

Develop your sense of wonder with a visit to this not-for-profit organisation that presents a significant snapshot of Canberra’s creatives. A stroll around the space, at the intersection of craft and design, offers visitors the chance to connect with emerging and up-and-coming artists at every stage of their careers.

artists gathering at Craft + Design Canberra for the Urban Biome — Get a chance to connect with emerging and up-and-coming artists.

Browse the gift shop to buy unique contemporary art and crafts such as bespoke bowls by Caslake and Pedler, stoneware vases from Lea Durie and Votive Vessels by Fran Romano. And time your visit to Craft + Design Canberra to coincide with the annual Craft + Design Canberra Festival , one of the best things to see and do in Canberra.

contemporary art and crafts at Craft + Design Canberra for the Urban Biome — Shop unique contemporary art and crafts at the gift shop.

Address: Level 1, North Building, 180 London Circuit

10. M16 Artspace

M16 Artspace operates on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people and is an inclusive gallery that supports Canberra’s arts community. The gallery has developed a program of classes and workshops that appeal to everyone from the complete novice through to those with experience who want to develop their creativity.

The gallery runs three gallery spaces, manages some 30 artist studios and houses various arts organisations that offer a diverse array of art classes. The gallery, established in 1985, also runs residency programs.

Address: 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith

11. Canberra School of Art & Design Gallery

What better way to plug into the zeitgeist in the national capital than by factoring in a visit to the School of Art & Design Gallery , Australian National University. The cutting-edge gallery is a celebration of the fusion of art in our daily existence with exhibitions curated by world-leading curators.

a look inside the Canberra School of Art & Design Gallery — Canberra School of Art & Design Gallery presents the works of graduates and post-graduates in situ. (Image: David Paterson)

The gallery presents an ever-changing roster of exhibitions, public programs, performances and publications. It also presents the works of graduates and post-graduates in situ, which reflects the standing of the school on the international stage.

the degree of concern exhibit at Canberra School of Art & Design Gallery — See the ‘Degrees of Concern’ exhibition at the Canberra School of Art & Design Gallery. (Image: Brenton McGeachie)

Address: The Australian National University, Canberra

12. Drill Hall Gallery

The Drill Hall Gallery is a destination in its own right. The gallery is housed in a historic drill hall that was established in the 1940s as a place for soldiers in Canberra to train for the Second World War.

wall art at The Drill Hall Gallery, Canberra — The Drill Hall Gallery is considered one of the best Canberra galleries

Located on the campus of the Australian National University, it’s considered one of the best Canberra galleries for its works by some of Australia’s leading contemporary artists, collectors and curators. Check the website for highlights of the current collections.

artworks on display at Drill Hall Gallery, Canberra — The Drill Hall Gallery houses the works of Australia’s leading contemporary artists, collectors and curators.

Address: Kingsley Street, Acton

13. Aboriginal Dreamings Gallery

The No.1 consideration when sourcing Indigenous art is to ensure it’s been procured in an ethical manner. Aboriginal Dreamings Gallery is a private, commercial gallery that has a collection of ethically sourced art that dates back from the 1970s to the present day.

The ethically sourced Indigenous art has been selected from Indigenous communities and art centres from around the country for more than three decades. The exhibitions change every four to six weeks and there is a gift shop onsite. The gallery has an offshoot at Artworld ADG – Canberra City London Circuit, corner of Gordon Street

Address: 19 O’Hanlon Place, Gold Creek Village, Nicholls; Artworld ADG – Canberra City London Circuit, corner of Gordon Street

14. Civic Art Bureau

A former Australian National University student has founded a gallery in Canberra’s city centre. Civic Art Bureau is an amalgam of all former art history and curatorship student and practising artist, Adam Bell learnt at ANU.

artworks on display at Civic Art Bureau, Canberra — Catch innovative works at the Civic Art Bureau. (Image: David Hempenstall)

Established as a gallery to provide opportunities for both artists and curators, Civic Arts Bureau will feature a program of innovative presentations that reflect Bell’s experience curating music and sound art at Unsound festival.

artworks mounted on a white wall at Civic Art Bureau, Canberra — Civic Art Bureau amalgamates all former art history and curatorship student and practising artist, Adam Bell. (Image: David Hempenstall)

Address: Upstairs in the Melbourne Building, 76 Alinga St

15. Belconnen Arts Centre

You don’t need to do battle with the traffic when visiting Canberra galleries. And while the crowds might be thinner, galleries such as Belconnen Arts Centre rival some of the best in the country. This popular Canberra gallery is a shrine to the arts honouring mediums such as dance, music, visual arts, theatre and more.

Belco Arts Centre is considered a cultural institution. The program of exhibitions has been carefully curated to celebrate everything from the contribution of the Australian migrant population to nights of monthly live music. Fuel up while you’re in Belco, which has some of the best cafes in Canberra.

Address: 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen

Discover the best things to do in Canberra.

The Great Ocean Road has captured the hearts of Australians with its astounding scenery since 1932, but going off-course can enrich your experience with untouched nature, foodie delights and charming towns.

It’s a chilly 16 degrees. My husband pulls on a steamer and jogs – as all seasoned surfers do – into the water. We’re at Bells Beach , the legendary break on Victoria’s Surf Coast that’s home to the Rip Curl Pro, the world’s longest-running event in competitive surfing. Each year, over the Easter long weekend, up to 40,000 people descend on the region for the event. Today, though, we have the beach almost to ourselves, and the less-than-favourable temperature doesn’t deter my husband from surfing this famous break.

Torquay to Anglesea and Aireys Inlet

The red dome of Split Point Lighthouse in Aireys Inlet. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The nearby surf town of Torquay marks the starting point for the Great Ocean Road . Unfolding our map, which we have marked out with a highlighted route for our children to follow, we set off for lesser-known Anglesea, a chilled-out town 20 minutes south of here. Its wide, sandy beach is a gentler swimming option for our young family. Groms can learn to surf here with Go Ride a Wave, which also runs stand-up paddle boarding on the Anglesea River.

Split point lookout — The lighthouse overlooks the Shipwreck Coast. (Image: Tourism Australia)

After a couple of nights in Anglesea, we hit the road again, first stopping at Aireys Inlet. Here we stretch our legs at Split Point Lighthouse, which was made famous by the 1990s television series Round the Twist, before driving under the Memorial Arch that welcomes us, officially, to the Great Ocean Road.

This 243-kilometre coastal road was built by returned First World War servicemen and serves as a permanent memorial to those who fought and died during the war. Carved into rock using hand tools and horse-drawn carts, it was a huge engineering feat and provided much-needed access to isolated coastal communities.

Lorne to Birregurra

Lorne is a delightful beachside stop for lunch and browsing boutique stores. It’s also the gateway to Great Otway National Park , which comprises a varied landscape of old-growth forests, cool-temperate rainforests, heathy woodlands and rugged coast. With the highest rainfall in Victoria, the region is home to many waterfalls – 10 of which are within 10 kilometres of Lorne.

Turning slightly off the main drag, we wind along a gum-shaded road to Erskine Falls. Here, our son leads the way through the hyper-green rainforest and down 200-plus stairs to the cascade that drops 30 metres into a lush fern gully. We hop over large boulders to get closer to the falls, enjoying the entire place to ourselves; it’s worth the return climb.

From Sheoak Falls Picnic Area, there are walking trails to Henderson Falls, Phantom Falls, Won Wondah Falls and Kalimna Falls, some of which follow an old timber tramway from forest-logging days, which only came to an end in 2008.

You can follow your appetite north to the town of Birregurra, which is part of the Otway Harvest Trail that connects farm gates, markets, wineries, breweries and distilleries. It’s home to three-hatted modern Australian restaurant Brae , helmed by celebrated chef Dan Hunter, set among native gardens and an organic farm, and Otways Distillery, which produces small-batch spirits using local produce and botanicals.

Brae restaurant — Brae is a three-hatted restaurant in Birregurra. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Apollo Bay to The Otways

Back on track, the cliff-hugging stretch between Lorne and Apollo Bay is breathtaking. At Teddys Lookout, we overlook the winding road ahead and St George River spilling into the ocean. We spend languid days in Apollo Bay, a buzzy seaside town that boasts a three-kilometre-long, crescent-shaped beach with a backdrop of rolling green hills. One evening, as the sun sets, we take the steep 10-minute walk to Marriners Lookout, which affords panoramic views of the ocean, hinterland and town.

A 15-minute drive along the road, Maits Rest is a lush rainforest gully that has been protected since the early 20th century. Wandering along the 800-metre boardwalk, we inspect the delicate moss-covered forest floor and the gnarled roots of 300-year-old myrtle beech trees, then crane our necks to see their canopies, some 50 metres above us. It’s therapy in nature.

Cape Otway to the Twelve Apostles

The southernmost tip of Cape Otway is a delightful detour, home to the 1848-built Cape Otway Lightstation, the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia. We climb the narrow winding staircase to the gallery deck, explore the keepers’ quarters and telegraph station, and enjoy a coffee and some ‘famous’ scones at the charming onsite cafe.

It’s a pinch-me moment to finally see the Twelve Apostles in person. This unmistakable cluster of limestone stacks rising abruptly from the sea were never 12, however. When coined this in the 1890s as a marketing ploy, there were only nine; today, only seven remain after two collapsed in 2005 and 2009. We admire these Aussie icons from the viewing platform, in awe of Mother Nature’s ever-evolving artwork.

The Grotto is another natural attraction within Port Campbell National Park. (Image: Carmen Zammit)

Edging the wild Southern Ocean, this part of the coast – dubbed Shipwreck Coast – is made up of many sea-carved natural wonders including London Bridge, The Grotto and Gibson Steps. After exploring the lookout trails of Loch Ard Gorge/Poombeeyt Kontapool – its English name taken from the site of the 1878 shipwreck – we nestle into the sandy beach encircled by towering sandstone cliffs, as our children splash about on the water’s edge, and soak it all in.

Port Campbell to Timboon

Timboon Fine Ice Cream is part of a regional foodie trail. (Image: C McConville)

Just north of Port Campbell National Park, the region of Timboon is part of the 12 Apostles Food Artisans Trail, filled with purveyors of delicious foodstuffs such as Timboon Fine Ice Cream , Timboon Railway Shed Distillery and Apostle Whey Cheese. As an antidote to the indulgence, the 20-kilometre Poorpa Yanyeen Meerreeng Trail is a self-guided ride or walk between Port Campbell and Timboon through tall forests, over historic bridges and past sparkling lakes and farmland with grazing cattle.

Warrnambool to Port Fairy

Warrnambool building — A 19th-century building in Warrnambool. (Image: Peter Foster)

In Warrnambool, a town rich in maritime history, we take the four-kilometre Thunder Point Walk that traces the coast. The kids squeal when an echidna shuffles out from beneath the wooden boardwalk, and we stop to admire a seal lazing on a rock at the port.

Further along, the streets of quaint fishing village Port Fairy are lined with 19th-century cottages, old stone churches and Norfolk pines. Follow the historic walking trail to see some of the 60-plus National Trust buildings. Port Fairy is also home to Port Fairy Folk Festival (6-9 March), one of the country’s longest-running music and cultural festivals. You could time your road trip with the event for a fittingly celebratory end to any journey.

The Great Ocean Road can easily be done in three days, but we’ve spent a week on the road. The highlighted line on our now creased and well-worn map doesn’t follow the famous route precisely. It has sprouted branches in many directions, leading us to untouched rainforest and charming rural towns filled with culinary delights, and where we experienced some of our most memorable moments on the Great Ocean Road.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

The Monty is a highly anticipated, newly refurbished motel with a chic Palm Springs-inspired aesthetic set across the road from the Anglesea River. Basalt Winery in Port Fairy grows cool-climate wines such as pinot noir and Riesling in rich volcanic soil. Stay among the vines in its tiny home, complete with a kitchen, lounge area and outdoor firepit.

The Oak & Anchor Hotel has been a Port Fairy institution since 1857. Cosy up by the bar in winter or bask in the sunshine of the Lawn Bar in summer. The rooms are beautifully boutique with considered details, such as luxe baths for sinking into post-road trip.

Eating there

The Coast in Anglesea is a modern Australian restaurant focused on local ingredients. Grand Pacific Hotel has been a local landmark in Lorne since 1879 and recently underwent a restoration. It serves a mix of traditional pub and Italian fare alongside ocean views.

Graze is a cosy 40-seat dining room in Apollo Bay with a modern Australian menu complemented by regional wines. Apollo Bay Distillery offers tasting flights, a gin blending masterclass and serves woodfired pizzas.

A comprehensive round-up of the best Canberra galleries