Best Gold Coast Art Gallery | Australian Traveller

Take in the Gold Coast’s lively art scene at these carefully curated galleries.

The Gold Coast may be best loved for its covetable beaches, lush rainforests, and its sun-soaked, light-hearted energy, but all that beauty and bounce translates into inspiration for a region rich with artful talent. From curators and collaborators to sculptors and ceramicists, the creative scene is as vibrant as it is vast and there are plenty of places to experience what it has to offer. To get you ready for some visual feasting, here’s our list of the best art galleries on the Gold Coast.

1. HOTA

HOTA is a destination where art, entertainment, culture and lifestyle meet. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: A full day of creative exploration

Attracting the art appreciator with its brightly-hued facade that looks like a giant mosaic HOTA (Home of the Arts), is, with little argument, the top creative destination on the Gold Coast.

Embracing a range of art forms, from the visual and digital to cinematic and comedic, this space celebrates all mediums of expression. Come for an exhibition, stay for a movie, and enjoy dinner and a drink at the superb and loftily located onsite Palate Restaurant and The Exhibitionist Bar.

Apart from browsing galleries, you can busy yourself in the kids’ area, on the adventure trail and swimming in the Evandale Lake. There’s also an outdoor stage for night-time performances and a picturesque 130-metre bridge that leads to Chevron Island.

Opening hours: 10am–4pm every day

Address: 135 Bundall Road, Surfer’s Paradise

2. 19 Karen

a woman arranging art and paintings at 19 Karen, Gold Coast

Unearth contemporary art at 19 Karen. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Contemporary contemplations

Tucked behind the Gold Coast Highway in humming little Miami, 19 Karen is a treasure waiting to be unearthed by dilettantes of contemporary art. The large space opens up a world of fine art pieces that stir emotion and provoke thoughts.

Wander through these colourful studies of culture, community and humanity and enjoy absorbing everything from pop art to expressionism, surrealism and abstract styles.

Opening hours: Tuesday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday and Saturday 9am-2pm; by appointment Sunday and Monday.

Address: 19 Karen Ave, Mermaid Beach

3. Maverick Hair and Art Studio

a look inside Maverick Hair and Art Studio, Gold Coast

Maverick Hair and Art Studio is an award-winning hair salon and contemporary art space.

Best for: Artful cuts

Merging the perhaps unlikely disciplines of hairdressing and visual arts, Maverick Hair and Art Studio sits above the street in a lofty and bright space where local art decorates the walls.

Here, you can take in the works while waiting for your toner to set and your hair to be washed. Collaborating with artists, the studio selects collaborations based on originality and inclusion, so you’ll always find something uplifting to absorb.

Opening hours: Tuesday and Friday 8.30-5pm; Wednesday 8.30am-8pm; Thursday 8.30am-9pm

Address: First floor 1/17 Griffith St, Coolangatta

4. Dust Temple and SOFA Gallery

Best for: Coffee and a creative chat

A beacon of artful energy in an industrial setting, Dust Temple is a cafe and bar, art space and performance venue. You’ll find a rotating roster of exciting events, including a vintage clothing market, exhibitions, poetry, live music and charity events, such as Empty Bowls, which raises awareness for world hunger. Sit in the sun-drenched courtyard and enjoy breakfast or lunch alongside a serve of art appreciation.

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 6am-2pm; weekends 6.30am-2pm

Address: 54 Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin Waters

5. Capanart Gallery

the exterior of Capanart Gallery, Gold Coast

Peruse and purchase Indigenous art at Capanart Gallery. (Image: Susan Capan)

Best for: Landscape loveliness

Artist and gallery director Susan Capan opened Capanart Gallery in the beautiful Mount Tamborine in 2009. As well as featuring her own works, Susan curates a collection of Australian art available to peruse and purchase, including Aboriginal art from central Australia. Any art enthusiast on a day trip out to the mountain should build a little time in their itinerary to drop in on Susan.

Opening hours: Friday to Tuesday 11am-4pm

Address: 2/110 Long Rd, Tamborine Mountain

6. Dave Groom Studio

one of the paintings of Dave Groom displayed at his studio

See Dave Groom’s paintings up close. (Image: Dave Groom)

Best for: An artful excursion

Add Dave Groom’s studio to your list if you’re meandering through Mount Tamborine for the day. While you’ll need to make an appointment to view Dave’s contemporary landscapes inspired by his surrounds on the edge of Lamington National Park, if you’re a fan of his detailed, almost mythical style, you’ll want to call ahead to see his paintings in person.

Opening hours: By appointment

Address: 671 Binna Burra Rd, Beechmont

7. Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre

Indigenous people on a Jellurgal Walkabout Tour

Immerse yourself in the Aboriginal culture of the Burleigh area. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Inspiring Indigenous works

Get along to Jellurgal for a deep and enthralling dive into the Aboriginal culture of the Burleigh area. Owned and operated by the local Indigenous community, visitors can experience culture on a walkabout tour and by appreciating the art on display in the onsite gallery.

Depicting Dreamtime stories and flora and flora native to the region, you’ll find a unique piece to commemorate your time on the Gold Coast.

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-4pm; Sundays 9am-1pm

Address: 1711 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads

8. Royal Queensland Art Society Gold Coast

the exterior of Royal Queensland Art Society Gold Coast

RQAS provides a space for local emerging artists to show their works.

Best for: Local inspiration

The volunteer-run RQAS is a space for local, emerging artists to show their works through a monthly schedule of themed and non-themed exhibitions. Get along for a browse and a cuppa at the cafe, and if you spot something you simply can’t leave hanging, you can purchase the work to take home. Should you feel the pull to pick up a brush, join one of the many classes, such as live drawing, expressive painting and watercolour.

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 9am-2.30pm; Weekends 8am-4pm

Address: 25 Broadbeach Boulevard, Broadbeach

9. Gallery One

paintings on the walls at Gallery One, Gold Coast

See the works of established and upcoming artists. (Image: Gallery One Team)

Best for: Australian curations

Head to Gallery One for a bright distillation of oceanside Aussie-style with a rotating exhibition calendar that heroes some of the country’s best established and upcoming artists. You’ll also encounter a handful of international artists scattered in the mix, too.

Wander in on any given month to muse over a collection from Ken Done, a themed exhibit of water scenes, Australian landscapes or deeply intricate works from Indigenous artist Goompi Ugerabah.

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm; Sundays 10.30am-4pm

Address: Shop 16.02 The Brickworks, 107 Ferry Rd, Southport

10. David Hart Gallery Marina Mirage

a look inside the David Hart Gallery Marina Mirage

David Hart Gallery showcases the works of Pro Hart’s son.

Best for: Fans of the Harts

The son of world-renowned artist Pro Hart, David Hart is, himself, a highly acclaimed artist both in Australia and internationally. With a dad like Pro, it’s little wonder David has been painting since he was 16 with his artworks finding their way into prominent private and corporate collections across the globe.

If you’re a devotee of the Harts, find your way to David’s gallery at Marina Mirage to ponder his latest works as well as pieces by his late father.

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm; by appointment on Sundays

Address: Ground floor, Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach

11. The Hive

a look inside The Hive art gallery, Gold Coast

The Hive showcases a local artist collection.

Best for: Workshops and kids’ art classes

A collection of local artists grace the walls at The Hive, which you can make an appointment to appreciate. But perhaps the best way to enjoy this creative hub is by slipping on a smock and joining a workshop. Try your hand at fresco painting, life or still-life drawing, or send the kids along to get artsy in the holidays.

Opening hours: By appointment

Address: Suite 3, 5 Coghill Drive, Currumbin

12. Dalozzo Art Gallery

Dalozzo Art is the Gold Coast’s longest-running commercial gallery.

Best for: All styles and budgets

A family affair, Dalozzo Art is the Gold Coast’s longest-running commercial gallery. A trio of talent is on display here by husband and wife team, Lucette and Louis Dalozzo, and their daughter, Judith. You’ll find everything from original works to prints and reproductions at the family’s Marina Mirage gallery. Covering themes spanning landscapes to figures, still life and seascapes, there’s a lot to explore.

Opening hours: Every day 10am-4pm

Address: Ground floor, shop 43 Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach

13. Mint Art House

a blurry image of a woman walking into an exhibit at Mint Art House, Gold Coast

Admire works by local artists across a range of mediums. (Image: Vasana)

Best for: Emerging talent

A collaborative space shared by 12 upcoming local artists across a range of mediums, including sculpting, murals, painting and ceramics, Mint Art House is overflowing with exuberance and talent, which you can check out during regular exhibitions.

Mint also hosts a range of artful events, such as open mic poetry and life drawing classes.

Opening hours: Varies

Address: Shed 5/87 West Burleigh Rd, Burleigh Heads

Discover the other best things to do on the Gold Coast.

The unique tranquillity of Japanese bathing culture can now be experienced in a Queensland rainforest.

I’m the first official guest at SOL Elements, an elemental bathhouse located in Mt Tamborine, roughly 50 minutes inland from the Gold Coast beaches. The town is already a calm-inducing hinterland heaven as birdsong echoes over rolling hills and roadside avocado shacks pop up around many corners. But with the arrival of SOL Elements, Mt Tamborine evolves into a wellness destination. Let me take you through the experience.

The new bathhouse is set in the calming hinterland. (Image: Timothy Birch)

First impressions

The exterior of the new SOL Elements Bathhouse in the Gold Coast hinterland

The setting delivers maximum serenity. (Image: Timothy Birch)

Given the jaw-dropping rendered photography released by the team in January 2025, I wondered if SOL Elements could meet the hype. Additionally, the location is at the end of a large car park at Tamborine Mountain Glades’ Thunderbird Park, an iconic kid-friendly hinterland attraction, so I was curious as to how they’d bring the Zen.

Surprisingly, no shrieking children are heard as I approach one architecturally magnificent facade. Positioned off a small lake dubbed Lotus Lake, swimming with turtles and ducks, it features thin timber boards that gradually fan out via meticulous three-millimetre increments. More than 2000 metres of hand-charred wood, burnt personally by Russ Raven, who founded SOL Elements with his wife Shae Raven, make up the entrance and much of the interior walls, channelling the ancient Japanese art of wood preservation, Yakisugi. It’s an aesthetic that pops amid bushland without ever jarring. It’s dramatic yet graceful, bold yet grounded – a lot like what’s going on inside, really…

Communal bathhouse

The communal bathhouse is circular with treatment rooms branching off from a garden. (Image: Timothy Birch)

Positioned to take in the entire breadth of that fairytale lake, three small outdoor thermal mineral pools are the cornerstone of SOL Elements’ communal bathhouse, which caters to just 30 people at a time. While the warm pools bubble at a toasty 38 degrees, the cold plunge drops to an icy 12 degrees.

There are two ways to soak up some hot and cold therapy. The first starts inside SOL’s Cedar Wood Sauna, fitted with bench seating and extensive windows that let in more Lotus Lake views, before I go 90 full seconds in the cold (I’m aiming for two minutes, but it’s still winter). The sauna is small, and I’m grateful to be in there alone, but six or so people could fit in here comfortably.

Sit around the sunken fire pit at SOL Elements Bathhouse

Sit around the sunken fire pit. (Image: Timothy Birch)

The second way to hop between hot and cold is via the showstopping submerged outdoor fire pit. I take a seat on its curved bench seating and watch the flames flicker against my serene view. Sitting in wet cozzies, I feel reinvigorated, ready to dip in and out all over again.

Then there’s the communal Earth Lab, a mind-blowing alchemy station. Before I hit the showers, I’m invited to spoon out two ingredients from a bar filled with salts, flowers and powders. Utterly delighted to personalise my sensory journey, I go for the ground coffee and hibiscus flower petals before pumping body wash into my palm and creating an exfoliating polish. It’s hard to ignore the likes of raw brown sugar, chamomile flowers, rose petals and spirulina powder (there are 10 options in total), but my blend is straight-up delicious.

The Earth Lab features an alchemy station for guests to create a personalised sensory journey that suits their mood. (Image: Kristie Lau-Adams)

Himalayan Salt Sanctuary

The Himalayan Salt Sanctuary at SOL Elements. (Image: Kristie Lau-Adams)

There’s one other communal element at SOL: the Himalayan Salt Sanctuary, featuring a gasp-worthy design (and gasps are welcomed, given the respiratory benefits salt therapy is famed for).

Built with illuminated salt bricks that morph between sunrise shades, pale pink and clear white, the room radiates as I breathe in negative ionised air. Bench seating wraps the entire space while three stunning pendant lights glisten, dialling up the drama. It feels as though I’m sitting inside a lantern, all while my lungs are high-fiving me as I attempt further breathwork.

Floatation caves

For the ultimate sensory deprivation experience, two Floatation Caves are calling. Located right next to the Himalayan Salt Sanctuary, the rooms open to beautiful all-black stone fit-outs. Magnesium salt water is heated to complement your unique body temperature. Epsom salt and Dead Sea salt are expertly utilised to create the most extensively filtered water in Queensland. This is magnesium magic on steroids.

Once the doors shut, it’s completely dark. I float blissfully unaware of my surroundings; waterproof headphones ensure total immersion.

Secluded Suites

an outdoor mineral plunge at SOL Elements

The onsite accommodation features a heated private mineral plunge. (Image: Kristie Lau-Adams)

I step up my SOL Elements visit by booking one of its two Secluded Suites, and the experience is end-to-end luxurious. Facility-wise, the suite (which caters for groups of up to five) gives me my own infrared sauna, single-person cold plunge, shower, private Earth lab with four ingredients, mini-bar with mocktails, tea station and clay mask, all while floor-to-ceiling glass windows throw up more of those soothing views.

The cherry on top? An outdoor private warm mineral plunge right by the lake. I sip on an organic, caffeine-free lemon myrtle and ginger root tea as the afternoon slips by. But before I go, there’s one more unmissable element to indulge in.

Massages and treatments

Inside the treatment rooms at SOL Elements Bathhouse

Up the ante with a rejuvenating massage at one of the two onsite treatment rooms. (Image: Timothy Birch)

I dress in a plush black waffle robe and stroll a couple of doors down to one of SOL Element’s two treatment rooms. I’m booked in for the Earthing Immersion as I love hot stone massages, and this features stones gathered with permission from Indigenous elders right around Australia. How special is that?

For so many reasons, but mainly the skills flexed by therapist Milena (who specialises in stretching), this is a massage like no other. I’m asked about my mood and lifestyle before Milena tells me she’s reading my energy. I’m not typically partial to energy readings, but I can’t deny that my limbs surrender under the hands of Milena, who uses Synthesis Organics’ essential oils that smell divine.

The stones differ in size and shape, heated and rolled across me like Café de Paris butter. 90 minutes later, I feel weightless as I return to my Secluded Suite to shower again and, begrudgingly, depart. I’m truly transformed into jelly. It took Shae and Russ four long years, but SOL Elements manages to live up to every expectation before soaring far beyond.

Details

Address: Cedar Creek Falls Rd and Tamborine Mountain Rd, Tamborine Mountain (within Tamborine Mountain Glades)

Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 8 am to 8 pm, Friday to Sunday, 8 am to 10 pm

Prices:

Communal Bathhouse: $95 for 90 minutes
Floatation Cave: $90 per person for 60 minutes (2 guests maximum)
Secluded Suite: From $360 for two people, for 90 minutes
Earthing Immersion: $300 for 90 minutes
Other massages, facials and treatments: View the spa menu

Accessibility: SOL Elements welcomes guests with access needs. The building features wide pathways, accessible for wheelchairs, throughout. A pool hoist can also be arranged if requested in advance.

Please note: All guests must be over 18.

13 of the best art galleries on the Gold Coast