Planning to visit the Art Gallery of South Australia in Adelaide? This 2026 visitor guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, and tips.
Standing on Adelaide‘s North Terrace looking at the Art Gallery of South Australia’s classical facade, you can’t miss Lindy Lee’s 6-metre perforated sculpture “The Life of Stars” catching the light. Inside, the contrast continues between the 19th-century building and contemporary exhibitions. The gallery houses almost 47,000 works spanning Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, European, and Asian art. General entry is free.
Quick answer
The Art Gallery of South Australia costs nothing for general admission. The permanent collection is free for everyone. Special exhibitions may charge entry fees (prices vary by exhibition). The gallery opens daily from 10am to 5pm except Christmas Day. There are extended hours until 9pm on the first Friday of each month. There are no tickets or bookings required for general entry. Free guided tours run daily subject to volunteer availability. The gallery restaurant AGSA_eat opens 10am to 4:30pm (until 9pm first Friday).
At a glance
| Price | Opening hours | Address | Free for | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free (some exhibitions may charge) | Daily 10am–5pm (closed Christmas Day) | 490 North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000 | Everyone for permanent collection | 30 minutes before closing |
How much does the Art Gallery of South Australia cost?
Nothing for permanent collection entry. The South Australian government funds the gallery.
| Ticket type | Price | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| General admission | Free | Everyone |
| Special exhibitions | Varies | Prices set per exhibition when applicable |
Some major touring exhibitions charge admission with prices varying by show. Recent ticketed exhibitions have included international contemporary art and historical retrospectives. Check the “What’s On” section of the website to see current exhibitions and whether fees apply. Most exhibitions remain free.
Free guided tours of the collection and temporary exhibitions run daily, led by trained volunteer guides. Tours are subject to guide availability, so check at reception when you arrive.
Is the Art Gallery of South Australia free to enter?
Yes, completely. The permanent collection of almost 47,000 works is free for all visitors with no restrictions. This isn’t a limited access situation where “free” means viewing only a few rooms. You have full access to all permanent collection galleries across the building. It’s the same deal as with Adelaide’s other great free museums, the Migration Museum and the Museum of South Australia.
Special ticketed exhibitions are clearly marked when they occur and occupy dedicated temporary exhibition spaces. Even when these are running, the permanent collection remains free.
What time does the Art Gallery of South Australia open?
The gallery maintains consistent hours year-round with one monthly variation.
Daily: 10am to 5pm
First Friday of each month: 10am to 9pm
Closed: Christmas Day (25 December)
Gallery Store: 10am to 4:45pm daily
AGSA_eat restaurant: 10am to 4:30pm daily (until 9pm first Friday)
Last entry is approximately 30 minutes before closing. First Friday late opening attracts regular evening visitors who browse exhibitions, dine at the restaurant, and attend special events or performances.
These prices were checked and confirmed in January 2026.
Do I need to book Art Gallery of South Australia tickets in advance?
No. For general admission to permanent collection galleries, you simply turn up during opening hours. There are no tickets, capacity limits, or entry restrictions.
If a special ticketed exhibition is running, advance booking is recommended for popular shows. Purchase tickets online through the gallery website or at the entrance.
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One of Australia’s founding galleries
The Art Gallery of South Australia opened in 1881, making it one of Australia’s oldest public art galleries. The original building on North Terrace, designed by architect Robert Hamilton in classical revival style, has expanded multiple times to accommodate the growing collection.
Major additions include the Melrose Wing (1936), Elder Wing (1962), and contemporary renovations completed in recent years. The building’s architecture combines 19th-century grandeur with modern gallery spaces designed for contemporary art display.
The collection began with European paintings and sculptures acquired through colonial connections. From the 1960s, the gallery actively expanded Australian art holdings, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander works. Today, this represents one of the most significant collections nationally.
The gallery hosts Tarnanthi, an annual festival of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art, every October. This major event transforms the gallery with new commissions, artist talks, and performances, celebrating First Nations creativity.
What you’ll actually see
The permanent collection spreads across multiple galleries on two levels. Australian art occupies significant space, featuring colonial paintings, Heidelberg School landscapes, modernist works, and contemporary pieces. Artists represented include Hans Heysen, Sidney Nolan, Grace Cossington Smith, and Fred Williams.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art galleries showcase traditional and contemporary works. Bark paintings from Arnhem Land, Western Desert acrylics, urban Indigenous photography, and contemporary installations demonstrate the breadth and evolution of First Nations artistic practice.
European art includes works from the Renaissance through modern periods. The collection contains pieces by Rembrandt, Claude Monet, Auguste Rodin, and Salvador Dalí. While not as extensive as European galleries, the holdings provide solid representation of major movements.
Asian art galleries display ceramics, textiles, paintings, and sculpture from China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and India. The collection spans ancient to contemporary periods, showing artistic traditions across the region.
Contemporary galleries rotate displays from the permanent collection and host temporary exhibitions. The flexible spaces accommodate large-scale installations and multimedia works.
The Elder Wing of Australian Art reopened in 2023 after significant renovation, providing dedicated space for Australian collection displays in reimagined galleries with improved climate control and lighting.
The sculpture courtyard and outdoor spaces feature works that connect indoor galleries with North Terrace’s cultural boulevard. These areas provide contemplative breaks between gallery visits.
What’s included with your ticket
Your free admission includes access to all permanent collection galleries, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, Australian art, European and Asian collections, contemporary galleries, sculpture courtyard, and most temporary exhibitions.
Not included are some special ticketed exhibitions (when applicable), guided tour bookings for groups (free tours available daily for individuals), and purchases from the Gallery Store or AGSA_eat restaurant.
Things to do near the Art Gallery of South Australia
South Australian Museum (50 metres, adjacent building) – Natural history and cultural museum with extensive Aboriginal collections, Pacific cultures, and megafauna fossils. The museum building connects to the Art Gallery. Free admission.
Adelaide Botanic Gardens (400 metres, 5-minute walk) – Fifty-one hectares of landscaped gardens with Victorian Palm House, Bicentennial Conservatory, Amazon Waterlily Pavilion, and Museum of Economic Botany. Free entry.
State Library of South Australia (200 metres, 3-minute walk) – The state’s reference library with reading rooms, exhibitions, and the Mortlock Wing’s stunning heritage interior. Research collections include South Australian history. Free admission.
Adelaide Oval (800 metres, 10-minute walk) – Iconic cricket and Australian rules football stadium. Stadium tours available exploring the heritage grandstands and modern facilities. Walking distance via parklands.
Rundle Mall (500 metres, 7-minute walk) – Adelaide’s main shopping precinct with department stores, boutiques, arcades, and the famous Rundle Mall Pigs sculptures. Street performers and cafes enliven the pedestrian mall.
Practical tips
Getting there: Numerous bus routes stop on North Terrace at Pulteney Street (stops T1 westbound, G1 eastbound) directly outside. Tram stops at Art Gallery or University of Adelaide (125 metres walk). Adelaide Railway Station is 600 metres west. Wilson Parking on North Terrace opposite the gallery offers convenient paid parking.
Time needed: Two to three hours covers major collection highlights thoroughly. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander galleries deserve at least 45 minutes. If visiting for a specific special exhibition, add one hour.
Photography: Personal photography allowed using hand-held devices. Some gallery spaces restrict photography (signage indicates restrictions). Flash, tripods, and additional lighting require permission from gallery Communications team.
Accessibility: Wheelchairs available free (reserve by calling 08 8207 7000, option 6, Security staff). Accessible parking nearby at Wilson Parking North Terrace and U-Park Gawler Place. Lifts provide access to all levels. Guide dogs and assistance dogs welcome.
Crowds: Busiest on weekends and during special exhibition openings. First Friday evenings attract regular crowds. Weekday mornings outside school holidays are quietest.
Facilities: Free cloakrooms near both main entrances (large bags, backpacks, umbrellas not permitted in galleries). AGSA_eat restaurant serves meals and coffee. Gallery Store stocks art books, prints, and gifts. Free WiFi throughout.
FAQs
How long does it take to see the gallery? Two to three hours covers permanent collection highlights. Art enthusiasts could spend a full day exploring in depth.
Is it really completely free? Yes. Permanent collection admission costs nothing. Occasional special touring exhibitions charge entry, but the vast majority of what you see is free.
Can I take photos? Personal photography allowed with hand-held devices in most galleries. Some spaces restrict photography (check signage). No flash or tripods without permission.
What’s First Friday? Extended opening until 9pm on the first Friday of each month. The gallery hosts evening events, performances, and talks. AGSA_eat stays open until 9pm.
Best time to visit? Weekday mornings for smallest crowds. First Friday evenings for events and atmosphere. October for Tarnanthi festival showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.
More Adelaide travel
Other Adelaide travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- What you need to know before visiting Cleland Wildlife Park.
- Why visit the Bay Discovery Centre in Glenelg?
- Plan your visit to Adelaide Gaol.
- What to expect at the Gorge Wildlife Park.
- Learn the secrets of Penfolds Grange at the Penfolds Magill Estate in Adelaide.
