16 World-Class Sydney Art Galleries To Visit For A Culture Fix

Expand your mind and be inspired by the best art galleries Sydney has to offer.

Do the imaginings of the world’s avant-garde creatives stir you? Or is it the masterstrokes of decades and centuries past that get you thinking? Whatever your poison, the art galleries Sydney has to offer provide food for thought. From ancient works to rival relics found in the best Sydney museums to hole-in-the-wall spaces overflowing with fresh ideas, there’s no shortage of Sydney art galleries to fall deeply in love with.

1. Art Gallery of New South Wales

Best for: International art and the famed Archibald Prize.

No list of the city’s finest art galleries can neglect the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the marvels occupying its walls. The grand space is so monumental they went and named the street it sits on after it.

the exterior of Art Gallery of New South Wales

Head to the Art Gallery of New South Wales for your culture fix. (Image: Karla Dickens)

Ticking over its 150th birthday in 2021, the Sydney art gallery is home to a wonderous collection of works spanning 15th-century European Renaissance, centuries-old ceramics and British Victorian art to contemporary pieces and photographs out of Australia and the rest of the world.

inside the Art Gallery of New South Wales

Wander the halls of the gallery to spot an impressive collection of works.

Its thickest crowds flock annually when the Archibald Prize is unveiled to celebrate the country’s most captivating portraiture and often most recognisable faces. And while the art is outstanding, there’s also the historic sandstone structure itself and its expansive floors to delight in, plus a children’s library and special events for little ones.

The installation of Louise Bourgeois Maman at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. (Image: Felicity Jenkins)

Opening hours: 10am to 5pm daily and 10am to 10pm on Wednesday.
Address: Art Gallery Road, Domain, Sydney

2. Sydney Modern Project

Best for: Modernist art and one incredible architectural feat.

You see that modern masterpiece hanging off the Art Gallery of New South Wales? To expand its reach even further, the original structure was added to in 2022, creating the Sydney Modern Project (also known as the Art Gallery’s North Building) after a decade (and millions) spent planning and constructing.

the New SANAA building, Sydney Modern Project

Sydney Modern Project features a new building designed by Pritzker prize-winning architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa / SANAA. (Image: Iwan Baan)

Inside, you’ll find both historical and contemporary pieces from all over the globe, an abundance of Indigenous art and a dark and gloomy reclaimed underground fuel bunker from World War II on the bottom level. And outside? An art garden overlooks Sydney Harbour and connects to the original building, reminding us of the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ grandeur all over again.

the Welcome Plaza, Sydney Modern Project

The newly revitalised building brings together art, architecture and landscape. (Image: Iwan Baan)

Opening hours: 10am to 5pm daily and 10am to 10pm on Wednesday.
Address: Art Gallery Road, Domain, Sydney

3. Sydney Made Art & Design Markets

Best for: Crafters and shoppers.

It’s not a gallery as such but there’s a wealth of creative minds spinning their magic at the Sydney Made Art & Design Markets. Staged inside the Sydney Town Hall, this celebration of locally grown makers invites the city’s finest hobbyists and small businesses to spruik their handiworks irregularly throughout the year.

people browsing local crafts at Sydney Made Art & Design Markets

Purchase a range of handmade works at Sydney Made Art & Design Markets. (Image: Emma Silwanis)

Check their website for the next instalment. Expect rows of stalls showcasing everything from homewares and jewellery to illustrations, sculptures, photographs, paintings and more. Just walking around the site is gorgeous given you’re immersing yourself in one of the city’s most renowned heritage-listed buildings.

local craft stalls filled with people at Sydney Made Art & Design Markets

Expect rows of stalls showcasing various wares. (Image: Emma Silwanis)

Opening hours: Typically, 10am to 5pm but be sure to check the website for up-to-date details and scheduling.
Address: Sydney Town Hall, 483 George Street, Sydney

4. Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

Best for: Modern art enthusiasts.

A haven for lovers of contemporary art in all its forms, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia oozes cool from the moment you step inside. It’s minimalistic and stark yet the vibe is warm and the art is beyond inspiring.

the exterior of Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

Step inside the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia and prepare to be inspired. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The original stand-alone sandstone building was expanded in 2012 by architect Sam Marshall who popped a five-storey wing onto the harbour-facing section of the gallery — an outstanding achievement as it is hypnotising. Inside, there’s more than 4,500 works from living creators and over a third of them are crafted by First Nations artists.

Naminapu Maymuru-White, Milŋiyawuy 7, 2022, installation view, MCA Collection: Eight Artists, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, 2023,

MCA Collection: Eight Artists, earth pigments on stringy bark at Museum of Contemporary Art. (Image: Ken Leanfore)

Opening hours: 10am to 5pm Wednesday to Monday and 10am to 9pm on Friday. Closed Tuesday.
Address: 140 George Street, The Rocks

5. Carriageworks

Best for: Contemporary fans who enjoy outside-the-box thinking.

Constructed in the 1800s as part of the Eveleigh Railways Workshops, Carriageworks once saw carriages and locomotives coming through its grounds in search of repairs and maintenance. Fast forward to today and the Sydney art gallery has retained its industrial vibes to house some of the world’s boldest artistic works.

A contemporary multi-arts space that showcases visual and performing arts in addition to more traditional forms, Carriageworks boasts a group of residents who breathe life into the historical space every day. It also puts on a pretty incredible weekly farmers’ markets, one of the best Sydney markets to explore.

a close-up of a woman holding flowers at Carriageworks Market

Drop by the weekly Carriageworks Market and check out the multi-arts space.

Opening hours: 10am to 5pm, Wednesday to Sunday.

Address: 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh

6. Sydney Contemporary

Best for: Finding an emerging artist to obsess over.

While we’re talking Carriageworks, Sydney Contemporary also deserves a mention for gathering the world’s most prestigious contemporary artists in one venue. An annual art fair staged over four days at Carriageworks with its 2024 dates announced as September 5 to September 8, Sydney Contemporary is the place to be to discover daring creative brains.

Expect multi-faceted installations, experimental performances and works, discussion panels, bold sculptures, photography and so much more from over 500 artists. If you’ve got the coin, it’s also an incredible opportunity to invest in the world’s next superstars. There’s also super cool bars and eateries to explore so spend the day and get carried away.

Sydney Contemporary 2022 - Alcaston Gallery

Unleash your love for art at Sydney Contemporary. (Image: Destination NSW; Sydney Contemporary)

Opening hours: Visit the website closer to the date for details.
Address: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh

7. Blender Gallery

Best for: Photographs with a Rock’n’roll edge.

Paying tribute to music photography from all over the world, Blender Gallery is captivating no matter when you stop by. Showcasing some of the music world’s most iconic moments, achievements and characters, the Sydney art gallery boasts special ties with the global music community, gaining access to stuff you’ve probably never seen before — even if you are a die-hard fan. Think candid shots of Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Led Zeplin, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Prince and other legends.

Opening hours: 11am to 3pm Saturday and visits by appointment Monday to Friday.

Address: 682 Bourke Street, Redfern

8. Darren Knight Gallery

Best for: Thought-provoking contemporary art.

A Sydney art gallery with impressive ties to global art institutes, the Darren Knight Gallery consists of two exhibition spaces constantly filled with ambitious works.

Sunset Clause Installation by Natalie Thomas.

Spanning solo and group exhibitions, the space is typically filled rather sparsely by Mr Knight, a prolific art dealer who has served as the subject of an Archibald portrait entry in the past, allowing visitors to slow down and savour every piece.

Paul K Williams painting on the wall at Darren Knight Gallery

A painting by Paul K Williams at Darren Knight Gallery.

However, the gallery is obviously a blank canvas so there’s no guarantee that’s what you’ll experience when you visit. Sculptures, photographs, paintings, drawings… all mediums are represented in this arresting place.

a woman looking at Kushana Bush exhibition in Darren Knight Gallery

Visit the first exhibition of Dunedin-based artist Kushana Bush at the Darren Knight Gallery.

Opening hours: 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday.

Address: 840 Elizabeth Street, Waterloo

9. NAS Galleries

Best for: Discovering Australia’s next artistic sensations.

It’s more widely recognised for its work in producing tertiary-level artists, but the National Art School is also home to NAS Galleries where some of the country’s emerging stars hone their craft. Sure, there’s great Aussie solo and group exhibitions to stickybeak but this is the place to spy the next-gen before they hit the big time as end-of-year Graduate Exhibitions display the stuff of students annually. The Sydney art gallery grew in 2021, adding a dedicated Drawing Gallery to its repertoire.

two people admiring artworks at NAS Galleries

Marvel at the artistic bodies of work on display in NAS Galleries.

Opening hours: 11am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday.

Address: 156 Forbes Street, Darlinghurst

10. Chalk Horse

Best for: Contemporary works from across the globe.

A glossy, all-white interior means business at Chalk Horse, a Sydney art gallery that strives to shine a light on Australian artists at a global level. More often than not, spectacular strokes and sculptures bring vivid life to its walls as contemporary talents are exhibited in striking fashion. What was once an artist-run gallery is now commercial so you can expect to see some wonderful international artistry in addition to local names.

Opening hours: 10am to 5pm, Wednesday to Saturday and 10am to 3pm Sunday.
Address: 167 William Street, Darlinghurst

11. China Heights Gallery

Best for: Contemporary art including punchy graphic design.

There’s always something very cool going on at China Heights Gallery, whether it’s a mind-boggling graphic design or a totally transfixing sculpture hellbent on upturning traditional thinking.

The Clare Wigney exhibition at China Heights Gallery.

The Sydney art gallery celebrates the works of emerging artists straight out of their studies as well as more established identities pushing the envelope around the globe. Come for a single exhibitionist, stay for absolutely every other piece.

The Regina Bartsch exhibition at China Heights Gallery.

Opening hours: 12pm to 5pm, Thursday to Sunday.

Address: 16/28 Foster Street, Surry Hills

12. Brett Whiteley Studio

Best for: Getting inside the mind of Australia’s creative genius.

Once the workplace and home to one of the country’s most successful artists, the Brett Whiteley Studio is one of the art world’s most sacred spaces within Australia.

art displays inside the Brett Whiteley Studio

Get inside the creative mind of Brett Whiteley at his studio.

Belonging to Brett Whiteley, who passed away in 1992, the Studio pays tribute to the multi award-winning painter by conserving unfinished works, his furniture, photographs, reference books and a famed graffiti wall that gathered all sorts of inspirational material. This Sydney art gallery presents a fascinating peek into a truly gifted creative icon.

walls filled with photographs at Brett Whiteley Studio

Inside you’ll find photographs and a famed graffiti wall.

Opening hours: 10am to 4pm, Thursday to Sunday.

Address: 2 Raper Street, Surry Hills.

13. Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery

Best for: A glimpse into the city’s elite eastern suburbs art circles.

A long-time supporter of Sydney’s contemporary artists and Australia’s wider arts community, the Rosyln Oxley9 Gallery has housed some of our most successful exports. Bill Henson, Tracey Moffatt, David Noonan and Fiona Hall are just a handful of the big names this Sydney art gallery has nurtured.

paintings on the wall at Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery

Admire the works of Sydney contemporary artworks at Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery.

In addition to its own exhibits, it has also featured within some of the world’s most prestigious art fairs. You can expect highly acclaimed work whenever you’re stopping by, plus crowds of locals who live and breathe this beloved space.

art display inside Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery

Check out some of the world’s most prestigious artworks.

Opening hours: 10am to 6pm Tuesday to Friday and 11am to 6pm Saturday.

Address: 8 Soudan Lane, Paddington

14. Cement Fondu

Best for: Visual arts with intense heart.

What a name, huh? As wacky as it sounds, Cement Fondu summarises the essence of this Sydney art gallery beautifully — an evolving artistic space bounded by a solid structure.

Get lost in the whimsical artistic space at Cement Fondu.

Visual arts is the order of the day with a constant rotation of performance, music and dance by local and international artists flowing through its doors. Expect to be spellbound by whatever performance you witness.

Find an array of art memorabilia at the Cement Fondu Art Store.

Opening hours: 11am to 5pm, Thursday to Sunday.

Address: 36 Gosbell Street, Paddington

15. Olsen Gallery

Best for: A celebration of Australia through the eyes of visionaries.

The late John Olsen, one of the country’s most significant artists renowned for his abstract landscape paintings, is the hero of Olsen Gallery’s incredible collection of works. His son Tim Olsen is the man behind the gallery and his mission is to showcase excellent Australian contemporary art. The space is light-filled and glorious, playing host to travelling exhibitions as well as book launches and other events including a visit by Jamie Oliver many years ago, who this writer watched as he cooked paella to breathe life into John Olsen’s brilliant ‘Culinaria’ exhibition. Just another day in this remarkable Sydney art gallery.

Opening hours: 10am to 6pm Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 5pm Saturday.

Address: 63 Jersey Road, Woollahra

16. Campbelltown Arts Centre

Best for: Escaping the city in search of inspiration.

Located well away from the central arts hub of Sydney, the Campbelltown Arts Centre is worth travelling out of town for. Commissioning new works that stir fresh ways of thinking and deep discussion of universal themes, this Sydney art gallery is an inspiring place. Paintings, contemporary visual arts, dance, music, immersive activities — there’s no boundaries this space won’t break down. Plus, there’s a ridiculously beautiful cafe set in Japanese-inspired gardens to further ponder everything on display.

Opening hours: 10am to 4pm daily.

Address: 1 Art Gallery Road, Campbelltown

Welcome to the first instalment of Hotel Addict, a monthly column where I check into Australia’s best hotels, exploring not just the rooms, but the stories, service and settings that make each stay unforgettable and worth adding to your wishlist.

Hotel stays have quietly become my thing. Long before I became a travel journalist, I was booking staycations just for a change of scenery. Some had charm, some had character, some had neither. Once, I even stayed in a hotel directly opposite my own apartment – partly for the novelty, partly because I wanted to see my life from a different angle.

For me, hotels represent a kind of mystery – I find myself wanting to know what these buildings contain. Many of them are designed with intention: lighting, materials, scent and sounds that often reflect the city they sit in. Time seems to gently pause in these spaces, which have increasingly become the destination itself for modern travellers.

It only felt fitting for the first hotel in this series to be in my home city and at the hotel that’s been at the top of my list: Capella Sydney.

A sandstone heritage building and palm trees

Capella sits within an Edwardian Baroque‑style sandstone building.

An email with a hotel program from the “Culturist Team” lets me know this will be a luxurious stay. There’s a guided walk around the Botanic Gardens, a weaving workshop and a Sydney contemporary art tour – the kind of addition that signals a hotel that’s tuned into the finer details, and one that’s not surprising given that Capella’s ethos centres on delivering personalised, immersive experiences.

Capella opened in 2023 within a transformed Edwardian Baroque‑style sandstone building in Sydney’s CBD that was originally designed by renowned Scottish-Australian architect George McRae. I often walk past this building and once attended an event inside – I distinctly remember being surprised by how beautiful it was. Bar Studio, Make Architects, and stylist Simone Haag were engaged to sensitively adapt the building for contemporary luxury while honouring its past, in collaboration with Heritage NSW and the City of Sydney.

When I arrive, I’m greeted by three different staff members along the way to reception. There’s a lovely subtle scent, which I later learn combines notes of bergamot, green tea leaves, peony, freesia, vetiver and cedarwood. This hotel strikes such a beautiful balance between grandness and intimacy, with large floral bouquets, contemporary artworks, impressively high ceilings that give it an international feel and quieter nooks to unwind in. Each space is unique, but they’re all unified by a warm, textural and layered design.

Sydney has been deserving of a hotel of this calibre for quite some time, with many of the accommodations in the city looking and feeling dated.

A modern hotel reception with high ceilings

The design strikes the perfect balance between grandness and intimacy.

I have a treatment booked at the hotel’s Auriga Spa prior to check-in. The space is ultra-luxe, moodily lit and intimate, featuring timber joinery, green walls and a sleek design that’s so perfect it almost transports me to Japan. I opt for the Replenish Beauty and LED Facial – a strategic choice with a TV segment on the horizon, and a hopeful bid to look extra fresh for the camera.

The treatment begins with me sitting in the softest robe of my life, wearing slippers and sipping chamomile tea. I’m then whisked away to my private treatment room, which has its own bathroom, a large skylight and a small Japanese-style garden. The treatment is extremely relaxing and moves through cleansing, exfoliating, massaging (arm, head, neck and face) and LED Light Therapy. There’s so much attention to detail – even at the end, the facialist puts my slippers back on me, while I’m still lying down.

Spa treatment room with a massage bed, featuring timber walls and a serene Japanese-style garden visible through a window.

A treatment at Auriga Spa might be the best way I’ve ever started a hotel stay. (Image: Rachael Thompson)

While this treatment certainly hasn’t had a Benjamin Button effect, my sister seems to think I’m glowing, so I walk away happy, or at the very least, zen.

Auriga Spa has a sauna, steam room, ice fountain and a beautiful indoor heated swimming pool. There’s also “experiential showers” – new to me, but essentially it combines water flowing from different places, changing temperatures, mood lighting, gentle sounds, and a subtle lemongrass scent.

You could easily spend the better part of a day at the spa and pool, even if you’re not a guest.

The indoor heated swimming pool with glass ceiling at Capella Sydney.

Guests outside the hotel can use the spa and swimming pool. (Image: Rachael Thompson)

I’m escorted to my room, drunk on relaxation, but I make sure to take note of how noisy the hallways are – answer: dead quiet. My room is 50 square metres, which is huge by hotel standards, but particularly for one in the CBD. It feels like a high-end apartment with floorboards, a freestanding bath and a seating/dining area. My eyes are immediately drawn to the line-up of macarons waiting for me on the dining table.

I’m thrilled to see the mini bar armoire includes a small wine fridge stocked with Minuty Prestige Côtes de Provence, Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Handpicked Wines Pinot Noir, and Moët Grand Vintage. Not that I plan on using it (I simply could not justify the prices) – but it’s a nice extra that makes the room feel that much more luxurious. The drinks lineup reads like a who’s-who of local favourites – Young Henrys, Maybe Sammy cocktails, Four Pillars gin and Archie Rose gin. Snacks include Tyrell’s chips, Pringles, Natural Confectionery lollies, and a Carman’s oat bar.

Some small touches I appreciate that some hotels don’t offer: the option to choose your housekeeping time, an iron that actually works well, a Bluetooth speaker, the beloved wine fridge, aluminium water bottles and a bathroom without a glass door or screen that awkwardly exposes you. The one downside is that some of these rooms don’t offer much in the way of a view.

A modern hotel room with a monochrome paletter.

I stayed in a Premier Room which was elegant and relaxing. (Image: Rachael Thompson)

4:30pm is Swill Hour – a daily tradition that nods to the historical “six o’clock swill” in Australia. This one-hour event takes place in the Living Room and invites guests to gather and enjoy each other’s company with a signature cocktail in hand. This afternoon’s tipple is a Eucalyptus Gimlet, a clever, herbaceous little cocktail, by the multi-award-winning Maybe Sammy Team, served on coasters depicting drawings of the historic building. The canapé of the day is a tomato and stracciatella tart. I noticed several staff members chatting with guests like old friends, asking how their adventures earlier in the day went – clearly remembering previous conversations from earlier visits.

Dinner is booked for 6:30pm in Aperture – arguably the most beautiful area of the accommodation. It’s decorated with Australian flora and features a kinetic sculpture hanging from the roof that opens like flowers, with softly changing lights. Tyler, who is serving us, clearly admires the Capella brand, speaking enthusiastically about the other international properties he’s been to and sharing how he sometimes brings his five-year-old daughter here to use the pool.

Interior of Aperture at Capella Sydney, featuring lush greenery and a striking ceiling-mounted sculpture.

The scale of Aperture gives it an international feel.

I kick things off with a basil melon margarita – a winning recommendation – before tucking into the best prawn toast I’ve ever had. For mains it’s crispy Ōra King salmon and spaghetti with mud crab.

When I arrive back at my room, there’s a vegan leather journal on my bed with a note that says: “The ritual of journaling allows us to pause, reflect and focus.” This is part of the turndown service, and my slippers are neatly lined up next to my bed. Will I journal? No. Do I think it’s a nice touch? Yes.

Brasserie 1930 at Capella Sydney, where Art Deco elegance meets contemporary Australian cuisine.

Brasserie 1930 boasts Art Deco elegance.

The next morning, I make the predictable choice of smashed avo for breakfast at the on-site restaurant, Brasserie 1930. There’s also a buffet brimming with all the usual suspects.

Afterwards, I head to the pool to relax for a few hours before the 11am checkout. Despite my earlier resolve not to journal, I find myself reflecting nonetheless – an irony not lost on me – on my 21st hotel stay in Sydney. I write this with growing assurance that great hotels don’t just provide a place to stay; they create memorable moments, thanks in large part to fantastic staff. Kudos to the hiring manager.

Next stop: The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart!

16 world-class art galleries in Sydney to get your culture fix at