Sydney Art Tour: Your Guide to the Best Galleries in Town

29 October 2018



Sydney is a city that’s bursting with great art. From prodigious privately owned but publicly accessible galleries like White Rabbit, to gargantuan institutions like the Art Gallery of NSW, the thriving art scene of Sydney ensures there is always something new to marvel at. Here are a few of our favourite galleries to appreciate classic art, be inspired by modern creations, or just spend an afternoon enjoying a delightfully cultured experience.

Art Gallery of NSW

Image via @artgalleryofnsw

For anyone exploring Sydney’s art scene for the first time, the first point of call should be the Art Gallery of NSW. Established in 1871, it’s NSW’s leading art museum and one of Australia’s finest cultural hubs. From European to Asian art, the gallery presents nearly 40 exhibitions annually from Australia and around the world. Both classic and contemporary works are displayed in expansive, light-filled spaces that offer stunning views over the city and harbour.

Flagship annual exhibitions, such as the Archibald Prize, draw large crowds and, if that’s not enough, you can enjoy some of the best food in the city at Matt Moran’s Chiswick at the Gallery. Looking to create art, rather than just admire it? Every Wednesday night the gallery is open until 10pm for the Art After Hours program, with celebrity talks, workshops, lectures, film screenings and more.

Museum of Contemporary Art

A post shared by MCA Australia (@mca_australia) on

Image via @mca_australia

Located on the edge of Sydney Harbour in the iconic Rocks region, the MCA was renovated in 2012 and boasts light, airy, uncluttered interiors and an incredible floor space that’s loaded with stunning works by living artists. The galleries offer long vistas to draw you in and a simple space that allows the art to take centre stage. Works include paintings, sculptures, installation art, video, photography and more and there’s an entire floor dedicated to education and interpretive programs. The National Centre for Creative Learning includes a library, digital and multimedia studios, a seminar room and a lecture theatre.

S. H. Ervin Gallery

Image via @shervingallery

Set within one of Sydney’s most beautiful old buildings, the S.H. Ervin Gallery is a must visit for Sydneysiders and tourists alike. Take a trek through the Rocks and up Observatory Hill and discover the 1856 National Trust Centre building which explores the richness and diversity of Australian art, both historical and contemporary. Renowned for encouraging research and promoting scholarly appraisal of its artists, the S.H. Ervin Gallery has remained a highly regarded gallery since it opened in 1978.

White Rabbit

Image via @whiterabbitgallery


If you’re near Chippendale, carve some time out in your schedule to check out White Rabbit, a state-of-the-art, four-floor Chinese art wonderland. Founder Judith Neilson created the gallery to house her large collection of post-millennial Chinese art and since opening to the public in 2009, the gallery’s popularity continues to rise. One of the world’s largest and most significant collections of contemporary Chinese art, it also houses a gorgeous little tea house serving some of the best dumplings in town.

Casula Powerhouse

Image via @sullivanstrumpf

A cultural facility of the Liverpool City Council, the Powerhouse is a true multi-disciplinary arts centre. Offering a wide range of exhibitions, events and educational programs for all ages and abilities, admission is free, as are many of the programs. The facilities include six galleries with rotating exhibitions, a 321-seat theatre, two artist studios, permanent public artworks, and the country’s most extensive collection of work by Wendy Paramor. Green spaces include the Weaving Garden, Alice Klaphake Amphitheatre, and 20 hectares of parklands.

Sullivan + Strumpf

Opened in 2005, Sullivan + Strumpf is the brainchild of Ursula Sullivan and Joanna Strumpf. It represents a diverse group of artists, including Alasdair Macintyre and Sydney Ball, and focuses on the work of emerging artists at the forefront of the modern art scene. Located on Elizabeth Street, Zetland, it’s a treasure trove of modern splendour that houses some of the most exciting and innovative practitioners in the national contemporary art scene.

Factory 49

Hidden in the industrial area of Marrickville, Factory 49 is run by a small community of artists and is a veteran of Sydney’s artist-run initiatives. Specialising in conceptualism and non-objective art, it’s an unusual space that is deliberately unfurnished – this physical rawness is what makes the gallery particularly special.

There’s always more to see

Made it through this list already? It’s definitely worth checking out Sydney Olympic Park, home to Australia’s largest collection of outdoor large-scale urban art. And we’d be remiss not to mention Gallerie Pompom in Chippendale and aMBUSH’s ever-changing public art space in the Darling Quarter.

If it all sounds too overwhelming, go behind the scenes of Sydney’s art world and take a guided tour with an expert. Meet and talk to gallery staff, rub shoulders with the artists themselves, and enjoy gourmet refreshments and bites. Sydney Art Tours offers small group tours of ten people or less and will give you an excellent overview of Sydney’s ever-growing art scene.

For advice, materials, or to share opinions on the latest exhibitions, come in to Eckersley’s and chat with our passionate, knowledgeable staff.