National Portrait Gallery
National Portrait Gallery
National Portrait Gallery
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The purpose of the National Portrait Gallery is to increase the understanding and appreciation of the Australian people – our identity, history, culture, creativity and diversity – through portraiture. We have gallery spaces for the collection and temporary exhibitions, a cafe, shop, function rooms, a theatrette, education areas and basement car parking.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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4.5
1,850 reviews
Excellent
1,166
Very good
562
Average
96
Poor
17
Terrible
9
Gwendolyn Ang
Singapore, Singapore102 contributions
Nov 2019
It is interesting to have various portraits in different art styles displayed along with the stories of both the artist and the person being depicted. However, as much as I tried to be interested in the different portraits, I found myself getting bored.
This may not be an attraction for everyone, but given the way the gallery was designed and constructed, I'd say just drop by and have a look if you have time to spare when you happen to be nearby.
This may not be an attraction for everyone, but given the way the gallery was designed and constructed, I'd say just drop by and have a look if you have time to spare when you happen to be nearby.
Written 9 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shamus O
6 contributions
Dec 2021
The building is impressive and the artworks contained within are worth the visit, especially given its free (one of the great things about most of our National Capital attractions). However given the size of the space, there isnt a lot to see here, maybe 3 free galleries with a few hundred pics. There was a pay for exhibit also but passed on that.
Written 31 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jaynic
Oyster Bay, Australia551 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
My husband and I visited on a Monday morning. The Pub Rock exhibit showed photos of bands from all different eras who had played in pubs. There were also clips of them performing but there were limits on the number of people watching due to Covid. It was interesting and there was a diverse range of artists. We downloaded the Spotify Pub Rock playlist and listened all the way back to Sydney.
Written 4 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sydneysunset
sydney2,386 contributions
Sept 2022 • Friends
Beautiful building & helpful staff. The free gallery is currently very small but nonetheless worth a visit. The current paid exhibition of prize winners had a pandemic lockdown theme in the adult section and a small childrens section. Good range of books & products in the onsite shop.
Written 26 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for the review. We're glad you enjoyed your visit and hope to welcome you back next time you're in Canberra.
Written 11 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dale S
30 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
The portraits presented are mainly of people who have made a notable contribution ( in interesting and many varied ways ) to Australian society. A walk through this gallery , viewing the portraits and reading the brief descriptive note beside each, gives a fascinating look into many aspects of Australian society and it's development. The paintings themselves are also, of course excellent and well worth a visit purely for the art. It is fascinating the infinite number if ways that artists can recreate and present the human image!
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheShis
Tel Aviv, Israel43,424 contributions
Oct 2019
This is a lovely gallery of Australians (and other) portraits.
The gallery is somehow chronologically ordered, which makes browsing through the lovely portrait easy and not confusing.
You should give this visit at least 30 minutes.
Entrance is free.
The gallery is somehow chronologically ordered, which makes browsing through the lovely portrait easy and not confusing.
You should give this visit at least 30 minutes.
Entrance is free.
Written 14 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Randall K
Canberra, Australia1,219 contributions
Jan 2020
On a walk around the lake we decided to stop here for a bit of a look and a coffee. I was really impressed by the collection of portraits and the way they were exhibited in the various sections. We ended up staying longer than we originally thought we would! Well worth a visit. We then experienced the best coffee we have had in a long time and a delicious piece of cake. On our way out the door we had a look in the gift shop. All I can say is that we need to return to have a better look through the amazing selection of quality items for sale!
Written 26 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Randall, we're so glad you had good time. Thanks for the great review (and see you again soon!)
Written 27 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
busymum
Leichhardt, Australia90 contributions
Feb 2021
I love this gallery. There is always something interesting to see, the gift shop has a range of interesting books and gifts and the cafe is the pick of those of the nearby galleries and museums - they cater for intolerances and the food is always freshly baked and prepared.The gallery is close to the National Library and NGA, so if you are visiting either, you can also use this stop as an add-on if you have extra time.
Written 16 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian99993
Oxford, UK562 contributions
Dec 2019
The museum is housed in a splendid modern building. Howeer, the museum does not have enough funds to commission portraits and so must depend on portraits donated by the public. As a result, you will not find any portraits of such illustrious internationally known Australians as Germaine Greier, Barry Humphrys, Mel Gibson, Kylie Mynogue, and Nicole Kidman, to mention a few. The colonial and post-independence portraits are well worth looking at especially if you are Australian. There is a shop, stocked with some good merchandise for gifts. From memory there is also a small cafeteria.
Written 2 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LyT2795
Bathurst, Australia147 contributions
Nov 2019
This gallery is exceptional. Free entry. Great art and a superb book/gift shop. The gallery also has the best cafe in the museums precinct. A great range of food (including vegan and vegetarian), extremely well priced and also has wines by the glass and beer available. On a sunny day the terrace is wonderful.
Written 12 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No mention of free parking for members. Only found this at the website :
Paid parking applies Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 5pm daily, excluding weekends and public holidays. Visitors can pay for parking at the pay stations in the basement lift lobby or at the boom gate. Cash, Visa and Mastercard payments are accepted. Credit card payment can be made at the exit boom gate.
0 – 1 hour $3.00
1 – 2 hours $6.00
2 – 3 hours $9.00
3 – 4 hours $12.00
4 – 5 hours $15.00
5 – 6 hours $18.00
6 – 7 hours $21.00
7 + hours $24.00
Written 27 January 2020
No entry fee. There is parking around the area but it is mostly paid parking.
Written 5 December 2019
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