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Category: Art Gallery

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Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie

The First Gallery Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie

Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie

The Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie, formerly known as Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery, was established in 1980. First housed in Lake Macquarie’s former council chambers on Main Road at Speers Point, the gallery relocated to First Street, Booragul in 1996.

The gallery originally occupied Awaba House on this site from 1996 to 2000 when a decision was made to construct the new state-of-the-art facility. At the time we visited there had been a fire and Awaba House had been extensively damaged. Launched in May 2001 the new art gallery building saw the addition of an art seminar room in 2008. In 2019, a further expansion provided additional gallery space.

Entrance to MAC
Entrance to Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie

How to Get There

Located at First Street, Booragul, the gallery overlooks Lake Macquarie, providing great views in a relaxing setting. A small car park next to the gallery is convenient, however, if this is full more is available on-street nearby.

Sculpture Park

Located on 5 hectares between the gallery and lakeshore, the Sculpture Park includes work by local and national artists. Launched in 1996, the sculpture park has continued to develop and currently comprises 16 sculptures by 11 artists.

We spent some time walking around the sculptures before entering the gallery.

  • Sculpture Outside the Main Gallery
    Sculpture Outside the Main Gallery
  • Sculpture Outside the Main Gallery
    Sculpture Outside the Main Gallery
  • Mosaic Outside the Main Gallery
    Mosaic Outside the Main Gallery
  • Entrance Walkway
    Entrance Walkway
  • Fish Sculpture on the Entrance Walkway
    Fish Sculpture on the Entrance Walkway

Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie Collection

Comprised of four focus areas, the Visual Arts Collection includes works by highly-regarded national, international and Hunter-based artists.

The collection has a core group of works by established contemporary Australian artists. This includes a number of works by Sir William Dobell, large-scale contemporary sculptures and Indigenous works.

We loved walking around the gallery, because it has great diversity for such a small venue. We found it had a lot to offer and enjoyed our time there. With works ranging from Sir William Dobell to contemporary artists, the collection is worth the visit.

  • Gallery at the Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie
    Gallery at the Museum
  • The First Gallery Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie
    The First Gallery
  • Deanne Newland - Rejuvenating 2
    Deanne Newland – Rejuvenating 2
  • Saretta Fielding - Malang Kateya Part 2
    Saretta Fielding – Malang Kateya Part 2
  • Helen McLachlan - Rejuvenate 2020
    Helen McLachlan – Rejuvenate 2020
  • Susan Ryman - Whispering Pillars
    Susan Ryman – Whispering Pillars
  • Karen Murray - Sentinel Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie
    Karen Murray – Sentinel
  • Bronze Sculpture Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie
    Bronze Sculpture
  • Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie
    Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie
  • Thelma Wawrzonek - Wangi Power Station Ruins
    Thelma Wawrzonek – Wangi Power Station Ruins
  • Maureen Boyle - The Fisherman
    Maureen Boyle – The Fisherman

Coffee Shop

Sculpture Cafe is a licensed venue and offers morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea. Seating is both inside and on the deck overlooking the Sculpture Park and the lake. We enjoyed morning tea on the deck because of the wonderful views.

View From the Cafe
View From the Cafe

What Did We Think?

We enjoyed our visit because of the diverse range of art on display. The outdoor park was fun to walk around, while the quality works inside were amazing. To add to this was the wonderful location of the coffee shop with its great views.

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Art Gallery of New South Wales

Bronze Sculptures

Art Gallery of New South Wales

Located in the Domain, the Art Gallery of New South Wales opened in 1885 with two picture galleries. Over time additional wings and a foyer expanded the building to its current size.

Entry is free to the general collection, although entry to any special events or exhibitions is not.

How to Get to The Art Gallery of New South Wales

If driving, the Domain car park is within easy walking distance and is secure and undercover. The closest train station is Martin Place, only a ten-minute walk from the Gallery. The closest bus stop is Sheraton on the Park, Elizabeth St, followed by a 15 minute walk. Both walks go through the Domain parkland which has landscaped gardens, with shady trees and seats to relax on.

Art Gallery of New South Wales
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Entrance Foyer of the Art Gallery of NSW
Entrance Foyer of the Art Gallery of NSW

The Art Gallery of New South Wales Collection

15th to 19th Century European Gallery

Filled with classical European paintings and sculptures, this gallery contains beautiful artworks from the 15th to 19th centuries. There is a large silver sculpture (The English Channel by Michael Parekowhai 2015), from the 21st century that clashes with the other works, because of its chrome finish.

The English Channel by Michael Parekowhai 2015
The English Channel by Michael Parekowhai 2015
Bronze Sculpture Art Gallery of New South Wales
Bronze Sculpture
Bronze Sculptures Art Gallery of New South Wales
Bronze Sculptures
The visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon by Sir Edward John Poynter 1890
The visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon by Sir Edward John Poynter 1890

Australian Gallery

One of the reasons for the Galley’s foundation, was to encourage interest in the arts in Australia. To this end it has expanded from simply showing European art, to exhibiting Australian artists.

Represented here are famous Australian artists, such as Sidney Nolan and Russell Drysdale in addition to many others.

First-class Marksman by Sidney Nolan 1946 Art Gallery of New South Wales
First-class Marksman by Sidney Nolan 1946
The Camp by Sidney Nolan 1946
The Camp by Sidney Nolan 1946
Five in a Row by Richard Larter 1961
Five in a Row by Richard Larter 1961
Crucifixion by Russell Drysdale 1946 Art Gallery of New South Wales
Crucifixion by Russell Drysdale 1946
Nocturne No. 3 Commonwealth Lane by Danila Vassilieff 1958 Art Gallery of New South Wales
Nocturne No. 3 Commonwealth Lane by Danila Vassilieff 1958
Atlas by Colin Lanceley 1965
Atlas by Colin Lanceley 1965

Lowy, Gonski Gallery

Busts in the Classical Gallery
Busts in the Lowy, Gonski Gallery

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Gallery

Showcased in its own gallery, the unique style of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders is a great contrast to classical art in the other galleries. Often colourful and always reflecting the artists culture, this was a great gallery to wander around.

Contemporary Aboriginal Art Work
Contemporary Aboriginal Art Work
Aboriginal Art Work
Aboriginal Art Work
Aboriginal Message Sticks
Aboriginal Message Sticks

Contemporary Galleries

The contemporary galleries display art that reflects current culture, covering the 1960s to present in all media types.

Clockwork for Oracles by Ugo Rondinone 2010
Clockwork for Oracles by Ugo Rondinone 2010

Asian Gallery

Following the Sydney International Exhibition in 1879, the Government of Japan gifted a large group of ceramics and bronzes to the Gallery. This initial collection has now expanded to cover two floors, making the gallery a leading centre for Asian art. Today, the wide-ranging Asian collection embraces many countries and cultures of Asia.

Asian Exhibition
Asian Exhibition

Entrance Court and Special Exhibits

Often displaying large murals that reflect the current special exhibits, the Entrance Court is large, bright and open. It leads to most of the other galleries. Pick up a map at the reception desk, to ensure you can find your way around. The internal floor plan of the gallery is complex and it’s easy to miss exhibits.

The Gallery Shop contains an extensive array of books and gifts relating to the gallery. If you need a reference book, or want to learn more about an artist, this could be the pace to find it.

Japanese Supernatural Exhibition
Japanese Supernatural Exhibition
Japanese Supernatural
Japanese Supernatural

Art Outside the Gallery

Adorning the walls of the Gallery’s entrance a series of bronze sculptures, representing classical European art. Throughout the Domain, sculptures of Burns, Robertson (a politician) and contemporary themes add to the fun of walking around.

  • Sir John Robertson Statue
    Sir John Robertson Statue
  • Opposite the Art Gallery
    Opposite the Art Gallery
  • Front of the Art Gallery
    Front of the Art Gallery
  • The Matchsticks
    The Matchsticks
  • Burns Statue
    Burns Statue

Where to Eat

If you get hungry before, during or after you visit, the gallery has a cafe where you can refuel before admiring the art works on display.

If you would rather eat outside, a restaurant and associated bar across the road offer meals snacks and drinks.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

Our photos are available for purchase on

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Newcastle Art Gallery New South Wales Australia

The Open and Spacious Second Floor

Newcastle Art Gallery

Located in Laman Street Cooks Hill above Civic Park, the Newcastle Art Gallery contains an impressive art collection, primarily Australian artists. Limited display area restricts the number of art works on display, but a rotation ensures new works every few months.

The large sculpture of a nest and giant egg mark the entrance to the gallery, making it easy to find.

The gallery often displays special exhibits, which adds another reason to visit. During our last visit, the exhibit was Between Two Worlds, which featured works of art produced by Australian artists of Chinese heritage.

Newcastle Art Gallery Entrance
Newcastle Art Gallery Entrance

Permanent Collection

The gallery’s collection consists of over 6,500 items, covering areas of ceramics, painting, photography, prints & drawings, sculpture and video & new media. Works from colonial to the present are represented, from local, Australian and several international artists.

  • Foyer Ceiling Newcastle Art Gallery Exhibit
    Foyer Ceiling
  • Painting From the Permanent Collection
    Painting From the Permanent Collection
  • Painting From the Permanent Collection
    Painting From the Permanent Collection

Between Two Worlds

This was a great exhibit to walk around, because of the variety and quality of the works. Unfortunately, it has now finished, but a new one by George Gittoes is on display until mid-April 2020.

  • Foyer Ceiling Newcastle Art Gallery Exhibit
    Foyer Ceiling Newcastle Art Gallery Exhibit
  • Untitled by Guo Jian
    Untitled by Guo Jian
  • Bronze Power Dragon by Guan Wei
    Bronze Power Dragon by Guan Wei
  • The Open and Spacious Second Floor
    The Open and Spacious Second Floor
  • Samurai Painting Part of the Between Two Worlds Exhibit
    Samurai Painting Part of the Between Two Worlds Exhibit
  • Part of the Between Two Worlds Exhibit
    Part of the Between Two Worlds Exhibit
  • Newcastle Art Gallery Exhibit
    Newcastle Art Gallery Exhibit
  • Newcastle Art Gallery Exhibit
    Between Two Worlds Exhibit

Newcastle Art Gallery Sculpture Garden

Don’t forget to look at the sculpture garden while at the art gallery. Access is via a door near the toilets, to the left of the main entrance. With under a dozen sculptures, it is small, but still interesting and worth walking around to enjoy the displays.

  • Newcastle Art Gallery Sculpture Garden
    Newcastle Art Gallery Sculpture Garden
  • Sculpture by Margel Hinder
    Sculpture by Margel Hinder
  • Submarine 1993 by Edward Milan
    Submarine 1993 by Edward Milan
  • Two Forms 1958 by Kathleen Shillam
    Two Forms 1958 by Kathleen Shillam
  • Skyscraper by Vlase Nikoleski
    Skyscraper by Vlase Nikoleski
  • Beacon 1992 by Akio Makigawa
    Beacon 1992 by Akio Makigawa
  • Mary Magdalene 1978 by George Bladessin
    Mary Magdalene 1978 by George Bladessin

New Displays in September 2020

When we re-visited in September 2020, there were new exhibits on display from the Gallery’s collection, along with this year’s Kilgour Prize entrants. We had an enjoyable time looking at the artwork.

  • Newcastle Art Gallery
    Newcastle Art Gallery
  • Marion Borgelt - Liquid Light Horizontal Triptych No. 1
    Marion Borgelt – Liquid Light Horizontal Triptych No. 1

Kilgour Prize 2020 – On Display Until November 2020

In 1987, artist Jack Kilgour bequeathed funds for the creation of a major figurative and portrait art competition to be run in perpetuity at Newcastle Art Gallery. Today, the Kilgour Prize is one of Australia’s major art prizes, and awards $50,000 for the most outstanding work of art as determined by a panel of three judges, and $5,000 for the People’s Choice Award, as determined by votes from the public.

For figurative and Portrait Painting

  • The Kilgour Prize 2020
    The Kilgour Prize 2020
  • Kenneth Lambert - I See Myself Reflected in You
    Kenneth Lambert – I See Myself Reflected in You
  • Jordan Richardson - The Dunce
    Jordan Richardson – The Dunce
  • Oliver Shepherd - The Proposal (Portrait of the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CGM)
    Oliver Shepherd – The Proposal (Portrait of the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CGM)
  • Daniel Butterworth - Self Waiting For Life To Happen Number Two
    Daniel Butterworth – Self Waiting For Life To Happen Number Two

What Did We Think?

A great place to visit and because the exhibits change regularly, a great place to go back to. Well laid out, it offers ample opportunities for photographs.

Our photos are available for purchase on

As we do not have copyright permission for any of the artworks shown here, none of these photos are for sale. However, photos from many of our other stories can be found on Shutterstock.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.