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Art Gallery of South Australia: A Cultural Gem in Adelaide

Explore over 45,000 artworks at the Art Gallery of South Australia, home to a diverse collection of Australian, European, and Asian art. Free entry!

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The Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA), established in 1881, is a major art museum located on North Terrace in Adelaide. Home to over 45,000 works of art, it is the second largest state art collection in Australia. With free general admission, the gallery offers a diverse collection spanning Australian, European, Asian, and North American art, including a significant collection of Indigenous art and the only dedicated Islamic gallery space in Australia.

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Local tips

  • General admission is free, but special exhibitions may require a ticket.
  • Join a free guided tour at 11 am or 2 pm daily to enhance your visit.
  • Visit on the first Friday of the month for extended hours until 9 pm.
  • The gallery is closed on Christmas Day.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Adelaide Railway Station, walk east along North Terrace for approximately 5 minutes. The Art Gallery of South Australia will be on your right, between the South Australian Museum and the University of Adelaide. There are no costs associated with walking.

  • Public Transport

    Take the tram along North Terrace and alight at the Art Gallery or University of Adelaide stop, which is about 125 meters from the gallery. Alternatively, numerous bus routes run along North Terrace. Alight near Pulteney Street at stop T1 (westbound) or G1 (eastbound). A single trip bus or tram fare is $5.

  • Taxi

    Taxi ranks are located on Pulteney Street near Rundle Mall (300 metres from the Gallery) and on North Terrace outside the Railway Station and Casino (approximately 500 metres west of the Gallery). A short taxi ride from Rundle Mall to the Art Gallery of South Australia will cost approximately $7 - $9.

  • Parking

    Several commercial off-street car parks are available near the Art Gallery of South Australia. Wilson Parking on North Terrace, directly opposite the Gallery, is the most convenient. U-Park on Gawler Place is another option, about 300 meters away. Parking fees apply. Wilson Parking rates vary, while U-Park Gawler Place charges $5 for 0-0.5 hours, $9 for 0.5-1 hour, $15 for 1-2 hours, and up to $33 for 5+ hours. Accessible parking is available at Wilson Parking and U-Park.

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Discover more about Art Gallery of South Australia

The Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA) stands as a cultural landmark on North Terrace in Adelaide, nestled between the South Australian Museum and the University of Adelaide. Founded in 1881 as the National Gallery of South Australia, it has grown to house over 45,000 artworks, making it the second-largest state art collection in the country. The gallery's history is rooted in the South Australian Society of Arts, which advocated for a public art collection starting in 1856. The government provided funds in 1880, leading to the opening of the National Gallery of South Australia in 1881. Originally located in two rooms of the public library, the collection moved to the Jubilee Exhibition Building in 1889 before settling into its current site in 1900. The Elder Wing, designed in a Classical Revival style by C. E. Owen Smyth, was constructed following a substantial bequest from Sir Thomas Elder. Subsequent additions in 1936, 1962, 1979, and 1996 have expanded the gallery's space. The AGSA's collection includes Australian art from European settlement to the present day, with a notable collection of Indigenous art. The European collection ranges from the Renaissance to modern periods, while the Asian collection represents twelve countries, including a dedicated Islamic gallery. The gallery also hosts the Tarnanthi festival, celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, and the Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art, the longest-running survey of Australian contemporary art. Visitors can explore the collections through curated exhibitions and displays, providing insights into the history of art. The gallery offers free daily tours and extends its hours until 9 pm on the first Friday of each month. The AGSA is committed to accessibility, offering wheelchair access and Auslan tours.

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