Updated in October 2026, this National Portrait Gallery guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking or transport, accessibility and what to see.
The National Portrait Gallery is a portrait gallery on King Edward Terrace in Parkes, Canberra. Paid parking applies every day, including weekends and public holidays, and the Gallery does not accept cash. This guide was last updated in October 2026 and confirms the current parking rates and payment rules, which some older guides do not reflect.
Quick facts: the National Portrait Gallery
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 10.00am to 5.00pm daily. Closed on 25 December. |
| Ticket prices | Free entry ($0). Some temporary exhibitions are ticketed, with prices set for each exhibition. |
| Address | King Edward Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600 |
| Nearest transport or parking | Bus routes 2 and 6 stop on Parkes Place East. Underground car park: $4.00 for the first hour. |
| Typical time needed | About 1 to 2 hours |
The National Portrait Gallery opening hours
The Gallery is open 10.00am to 5.00pm every day, except 25 December. The Gallery lists no seasonal changes, so the hours are the same all year.
Other areas have their own hours:
- Café: 8.30am to 4.30pm on weekdays and 9.00am to 4.30pm on weekends.
- Shop: 10.00am to 5.00pm daily.
- Underground car park: closes at 5.30pm.
The National Portrait Gallery ticket prices
Entry to the National Portrait Gallery is free. Parking and some temporary exhibitions are paid. The Gallery cannot accept cash payments, so bring a card.
- General entry: free, with no booking needed.
- Ticketed exhibitions: prices are set for each exhibition and tickets can be booked online. Check the exhibition page before you visit.
- Discounts: concession prices and Circle of Friends member prices apply to ticketed exhibitions. The Gallery lists accepted concession cards on its concession and discount policy page.
- Companion Card: holders receive a free ticket for their companion to all paid exhibitions and programs.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in October 2026.
The Gallery is not part of a city pass scheme such as Go City or CityPass, and general entry is free. The VisitCanberra Mega Pass includes Questacon, which is nearby, along with the Australian Institute of Sport and the National Zoo & Aquarium.
How to get to the National Portrait Gallery
The Gallery is on King Edward Terrace in Parkes, in front of the High Court and next to the National Gallery of Australia.
- By bus: Transport Canberra routes 2 and 6 stop on Parkes Place East, just across the road. Transport NSW route 830 uses the same stop. Routes 4, 5, 7, 10, 180 and 181 stop outside Albert Hall, about 15 minutes’ walk away.
- On foot: the Gallery publishes a walking map from Civic on its website.
- By car: a pick-up and drop-off space is in front of the Gallery on King Edward Terrace, near the main entry.
Check the Transport Canberra website for current timetables.
Parking at the National Portrait Gallery
Paid parking applies from 8.30am to 5.30pm every day, including weekends and public holidays. The underground car park is entered from Parkes Place.
Monday to Friday rates:
| Time parked | Rate |
|---|---|
| 0 to 1 hour | $4.00 |
| 1 to 2 hours | $8.00 |
| 2 to 3 hours | $12.00 |
| 3 to 4 hours | $16.00 |
| 4 to 5 hours | $20.00 |
| 5 to 6 hours | $24.00 |
| 6 to 7 hours | $28.00 |
| 7 hours or more | $32.00 |
On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, parking is $4.00 for the first hour and $8.00 for any longer stay.
Pay by Visa or Mastercard at the pay stations in the basement lift lobby. Boom-gate payments are not currently operating and cash is not accepted.
The car park has a low clearance of 2.2 m. It has no spaces for minibuses, campervans or trailers. Holders of a disability parking permit can validate their ticket for free at the Welcome Desk.
On weekends, free parking is available around the John Gorton building, about 400 m away. The Questacon and National Library car parks are 500 to 600 m away.
How long to spend at the National Portrait Gallery
Plan about 1 to 2 hours for the free displays. This is a planning estimate, because the Gallery does not publish a recommended visit length. Allow extra time for a ticketed exhibition or a coffee at the café.
The Gallery’s calendar lists tours, talks and family sessions. Check it before you visit if you want to join one.
Accessibility at the National Portrait Gallery
All public areas inside the Gallery are on a single level. The front entrance is level with the public footpath. Lifts connect the underground car park to the public ground level.
Wheelchairs and walkers are free to borrow. Ask at the Welcome Desk or book online. Accessible toilets are on the ground level next to the Cloak Room and the Education Studio. Hearing loops are in the Liangis Theatre and the Terrace Rooms.
Free sensory kits and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyards are available to borrow. Quieter times are 10.00am to 11.00am Monday to Friday and 3.30pm to 5.00pm daily. Registered assistance animals are welcome. For access support, phone (02) 6102 7070 or text 0434 561 316.
What to see at the National Portrait Gallery
The Gallery shows portraits of significant Australians from its collection. The works include painting, photography and mixed media.
The portraits on display change over time. The Gallery website lists the works currently on display and the temporary exhibitions on show.
The free Portrait Stories app gives access to audio-visual content. It shows the wall labels on your device and translates them into nine languages.
The Gallery offers audio descriptions of selected works, and the Visual Stories guide describes what to expect during a visit.
The Gallery welcomes sketching and notetaking. Free public Wi-Fi covers the whole building and needs no password or time limit.
The Gallery also has a café and a shop, which sells books.
Practical visitor tips
| Topic | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | The Gallery opens at 10.00am. The car park closes at 5.30pm, so leave time to collect your car. |
| Crowds | The Gallery lists 10.00am to 11.00am on weekdays and 3.30pm to 5.00pm daily as relatively quiet times. |
| Layout | All public areas are on one level. The self-service lockers are just inside the main doors, on the left. |
| Entry process | General entry needs no ticket. Backpacks, umbrellas and bags larger than 30 cm x 30 cm must go in the lockers. |
| On-site logistics | The Gallery takes card payments only. Food and drink are not allowed in the galleries. Hand-held photos and videos under five minutes are allowed, but flash and tripods are not. |
Frequently asked questions about the National Portrait Gallery
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the National Portrait Gallery free to enter? | Yes. General entry is free. Parking and some temporary exhibitions are paid. |
| Is the National Portrait Gallery suitable for children? | Yes. The Gallery runs family programs and welcomes children. Adults must supervise children in their care. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the National Portrait Gallery? | General entry needs no booking. Ticketed exhibitions can be booked online. |
| Is the National Portrait Gallery open on Sundays? | Yes. The Gallery is open daily from 10.00am to 5.00pm, except 25 December. |
| Are bags allowed at the National Portrait Gallery? | Small bags are allowed. Bags larger than 30 cm x 30 cm, backpacks and umbrellas must go in the lockers. |
Things to do near the National Portrait Gallery
- National Gallery of Australia: the national art collection and sculpture gardens, next door to the Portrait Gallery.
- High Court of Australia: a public hall and courtrooms, with the public entrance between the two galleries. Court sittings are open to the public.
- Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House: the former home of the federal government from 1927 to 1988, within walking distance.
- National Library of Australia: the national collection of Australian publications, within walking distance. Its car park is 500 to 600 m from the Gallery.
- Questacon: the national science and technology centre on King Edward Terrace, with more than 200 interactive exhibits. It is within walking distance.
Alternative attractions
- Canberra Museum and Gallery: a museum and gallery in Civic, in the city centre. It covers the social history and visual arts of the Canberra region and holds the Nolan Collection.
- Goulburn Regional Art Gallery: a contemporary art gallery in the Goulburn Civic Centre, about an hour’s drive from Canberra.
- Ngununggula, Bowral: the Southern Highlands regional gallery, set in the grounds of Retford Park. Bowral is less than two hours’ drive from Canberra.
- National Museum of Australia: a national history museum on Acton Peninsula, about 1.3 km from the Gallery in a straight line across the lake.
- National Film and Sound Archive: the national audiovisual archive in Acton, close to the Australian National University. It has an art deco cinema and free displays.
