# National Gallery of Australia — Canberra, Australia

> The National Gallery of Australia, formerly the Australian National Gallery, is the national art museum of Australia. Located in Canberra, the gallery was established in 1967 by the Australian government, opened in 1982, and holds more than 166,000 works of art.

## Visitor facts
- Opening hours: Daily: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Admission: ✓ Free admission to the permanent collection
- Free entry: Permanent collection always free · Blockbuster exhibitions ticketed
- Address: Parkes Pl E, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia
- Time needed: 2–3 hours
- Official website: https://nga.gov.au/
- Facts verified: 2026-06-30

## Highlights
- Blue Poles — Jackson Pollock · 1952
- Abstract (Leaf) — Emily Kame Kngwarreye · 1994

## FAQ
**Is the National Gallery of Australia free to visit?**
Yes — admission to the National Gallery of Australia's permanent collection is free. Some major touring and special exhibitions carry a separate ticket price (typically A$20–$35). The gallery is open daily 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and is closed on Christmas Day. Located in Parkes, Canberra, it is easily reached from the city centre; free parking is available on site.

**What is Blue Poles by Jackson Pollock and why is it controversial?**
Blue Poles (1952) is a large-scale abstract expressionist painting by Jackson Pollock, 212.1 × 488.9 cm, created using his signature drip technique. It was purchased by the Australian government in 1973 for A$1.3 million — then the highest price ever paid for an American painting. The purchase was politically controversial in Australia at the time, with opposition politicians and media attacking it as wasteful public spending. The painting is now valued at over A$350 million and is considered one of the great acquisitions in Australian cultural history.

**What is the Aboriginal Memorial at the National Gallery of Australia?**
The Aboriginal Memorial (1988) is a monumental collaborative work by 43 artists from the Ramingining community in Central Arnhem Land, created to mark the Australian Bicentenary. It consists of 200 hollow log coffins (dupun), each representing a year of non-indigenous settlement in Australia and honouring the Aboriginal people who died defending their lands during that period. The installation occupies an entire gallery and is considered one of the most significant and moving works in Australian art — the emotional and spiritual heart of the NGA's collection.

**What are the highlights of the National Gallery of Australia collection?**
Blue Poles (1952) by Jackson Pollock; the Aboriginal Memorial (1988) — 200 hollow log coffins by 43 Arnhem Land artists; Sidney Nolan's Ned Kelly series (1946–47) — 27 paintings depicting the bush outlaw's legend; In a Corner on the MacIntyre (1895) by Tom Roberts; The Skull of a Skeleton with Burning Cigarette (1885) by Van Gogh; and a superb Asian art collection, particularly strong in Japanese, Indian, and Southeast Asian works. The international collection includes works by Monet, Picasso, Warhol, and Bacon.

**How long does a visit to the National Gallery of Australia take?**
The NGA has 11 galleries across a brutalist concrete building designed by Colin Madigan (1982), expanded by a new wing. The permanent collection alone covers Australian art (colonial to contemporary), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, Asian art, and international art. A focused visit to the highlights — Aboriginal Memorial, Nolan's Kelly series, Blue Poles, and the international galleries — takes 2–3 hours. A thorough visit takes a full day. The Sculpture Garden on the lake shore is free and worth exploring.

**How long should I spend at National Gallery of Australia?**
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and café.


Source: https://worldmuseumguide.org/museums/national-gallery-of-australia/ — World Museum Guide, independent and ad-free.