National Portrait Gallery

I visited National Portrait Gallery in April 2026 with a friend on a Monday afternoon, and it ended up being such a lovely way to spend the day. It’s super central to Canberra and really easy to get to. We were dropped off in the car park out the front, which had plenty of space, but you could easily walk there from the CBD too. It’s also right near a bunch of must see spots. We stopped by the High Court, the Australian of the Year walk, and the flags along the water, which were all within walking distance. The gallery itself is really easy to spot, with unique architecture, fun sculptures out the front, and a mural of portraits on the entry wall. It’s quite creative before you even walk in. Inside, there’s a large foyer with a reception desk and helpful info about current exhibitions and things to see nearby. The staff and security at the front were really lovely and welcoming. We headed into the gallery to the left of reception, and I was so impressed by how much there was to see. There are multiple sections filled with portraits of both Australian and international figures, and each piece comes with information about the artist and the story behind the work. It made it really engaging, I loved being able to stop and chat about each piece with my friend. There’s such a mix of styles too, which kept things interesting. Some pieces are really traditional, while others are more modern and experimental. You can tell there’s a lot of creativity in how artists approach portraiture here. One of my favourite parts was a room with bean bags, couches, and a large screen playing video portraits. It was such a nice space to just sit, and take everything in for a moment before continuing on. After spending a good amount of time exploring, we finished up by heading back through the foyer to check out the cafe and gift shop on the right hand side. The cafe had plenty of food and drink options along with a big seating area, and the gift shop was full of art inspired pieces and classic Aussie souvenirs. I love a good gift shop, so I had a great time browsing. Overall, it was such an enjoyable afternoon. The gallery wasn’t too crowded, which made it easy to take your time and really appreciate everything. I’d definitely recommend it if you’re in Canberra, especially if you enjoy art, or just want a calm, creative space to explore.

Staff in the lobby was amazing; we visited before the Enlighten Festival. The Kaylene Whiskey special exhibition is free and enjoyable to watch. However, the staff at the exhibition are a bit neurotic. When our friends tried to get a closer look at the painting, they shouted from afar, saying 'don't touch the paint', even though no one was going to touch it.

Went for one of the last days of the Kayleen Whiskey exhibition during the free 5-8pm time before enlighten and had a great afternoon out. The museum wasn’t too busy when we got there at 4 but the additional exhibition filled up with people while we were there. Can’t comment on cost of food as it was closed when we went after hours.

Gordon Darling Gallery, Canberra is absolutely outstanding. Most of the portrait exhibitions were free of charge, which is incredibly generous and refreshing. The quality of the artwork is exceptional easily the best gallery experience I’ve had in Australia so far. The portraitures were powerful, well-curated, and thoughtfully presented. You can truly take your time, enjoy the space, and connect with the art without feeling rushed or commercialised. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Canberra a must-see gallery.