Here’s Why You’ll Love Visiting the Art Gallery of SA

Originally published in August 2020, this post was revised and updated in May 2025.

Art should be seen, shared and enjoyed. That’s why the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA) is such a joy to visit—its collection is accessible and beautifully presented, making it one of Adelaide’s cultural highlights.

Here’s What to Expect Inside

There is a calm yet whimsical feeling inside AGSA. Classical paintings hang beside digital video works. Sculptures are tucked beside carved wooden benches. Calming grey walls meet bursts of vibrant wallpaper. The creative blend creates curiosity: what might be around the next corner? Exploring the Art Gallery becomes an afternoon adventure.

To help you explore, entry is free (with a few exceptions for special exhibits), and AGSA’s Access Programs include Auslan tours and inclusive events. The gallery is in the cultural heart of Adelaide, on North Terrace, just a short stroll from the railway station. There’s also a tram stop right out front.

AGSA’s compact size makes it perfect for an afternoon wander or a lunch break detour. The on-site restaurant, AGSA_eat, serves a seasonal menu with locally sourced produce, excellent coffee, and a curated wine list. Located on the lower level, it offers both indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the sculpture courtyard.

AGSA’s Collection: Surprising and Thought-Provoking

Elder Wing: A journey through Australian Art

The Elder Wing houses a sweeping collection of Australian art, displayed in elegant, high-ceilinged rooms. White ceilings meet soft grey and blue walls, creating a refined atmosphere, with a few playful surprises.

One central room features a bright pink wall on one side and a brown-and-green floral wallpaper on the other. In front of the pink stands an ornate carved gate. Opposite, framed artworks rest beneath a classic mantel shelf lined with ceramic vases.

Highlights include Evening Shadows, Backwater of the Murray, South Australia (1880) by H.J. Johnstone—a calm oil painting you almost feel you could step into and touch the stringybark trees.

Next to the Elder Wing, the Melrose Wing of International Art continues the experience with similarly styled galleries. One room explores the theme of the afterlife, featuring a marble shroud, oil paintings, and a surreal diorama with miniature skeletons, Nazis, and Ronald McDonalds. It’s confronting—and unforgettable.

Gallery Fourteen is taken over by Chiharu Shiota’s Absence Embodied (2018): a dramatic installation of red wool strung overhead like blood vessels or a spiderweb, interwoven with mannequin limbs.

Beyond the Wings: Discover more throughout AGSA

In total, AGSA spans 25 galleries across three levels. The collection includes almost 45,000 works from Australia, Europe, North America and Asia. It’s one of the largest and most diverse in the country.

Established in 1881, the gallery has been in its current North Terrace location since 1900. Beyond the major wings, you’ll also find rotating exhibitions, contemporary installations, and special displays across the other gallery spaces. These often spotlight emerging artists, unique collaborations, or seasonal themes, so there’s always something new to discover.

Whether you’re popping in for a coffee or spending the afternoon soaking in centuries of art, AGSA is a place that invites you to look closer, think deeper, and enjoy the beauty of creative expression right in the heart of Adelaide.

The Essentials

Getting There

AGSA is located on North Terrace, Adelaide, between Kintore Avenue and Frome Road (or between the South Australian Museum and the University of Adelaide). The main entrance is on North Terrace and will lead you into the Elder and Melrose Wings.

Public Transport

AGSA is a 5-minute walk from the Adelaide Railway Station (also on North Terrace) or about 125 metres from the Art Gallery or the University of Adelaide tram stops.

The tram is free within the city centre; there is also a tram stop in front of the Railway Station if you don’t want to walk.

Several bus routes run along North Terrace and stop outside the Gallery.

By Car

There are several parking lots near AGSA. Wilson Parking on North Terrace is directly opposite the Gallery, and access is at a dedicated street light. Sometimes on weekends, you can find free on-street parking in the city.

Opening Hours and Admission

Entry to the Gallery is free; some exhibits may have a charge

AGSA is open from 10 am to 5 pm daily, except Christmas Day.

---

Visiting the Art Gallery of South Australia was on my list of activities to do in Adelaide as South Australia’s COVID-19 restrictions began to ease. You can read about my list at 10 Things I Plan To Do in Adelaide After the Pandemic.