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Art Gallery of NSW North Building

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Art Gallery of NSW North Building

The Art Gallery of NSW new North Building displays contemporary art, with an emphasis on Indigenous Australian art. The building reflects this with bright well lit rooms and colourful displays. A highlight is the use of its basement, an old storage tank as a display space.

Getting There

Located, to the north of the original Art Gallery (now the South Building), it’s walkable from the Sydney CBD. We used the train from Central Station, getting off at St. James and walking, although buses can also be used. If you drive, the Domain carpark would be the closest option.

Arriving before opening time, we took some photos of the giant sculptures outside and then had a coffee at the café opposite the entrance.

Inside

With four levels, there is plenty of space to display artworks. The ground floor has an amazing display of Indigenous art and its great that this is the first gallery you see on entering. Previously displayed at the South Building the collection now has pride of place at the entrance.

The next two levels down display a series of contemporary art in addition to having access to outside galleries. Here we found an amazing flower sculpture, as well as a Buddhist Temple.

Lower Level 4 – The Tank

The highlight though was The Tank. Level 4 used to be an underground oil storage tank, but has been repurposed as an art space. Access is via a spiral staircase, which you descend into increasing darkness. Left deliberately dark, with the original columns still in place, it’s eerie, with lights moving on the ceiling, slowly brightening and dimming to highlight the sculptures there.

Before entering, you are warned that the area is dark and claustrophobic, so that you know what to expect. Numerous staff patrol the space, ensuring everyone obeys the rules (no flash photos) and remains safe.

We loved it, the sculptures were unworldly and the empty spaces and columns eerie.

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

Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

Museum of Contemporary Art

Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

Sitting on the waterfront at Circular Quay, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia provides a venue for international and local artists.

Getting There

In walking distance of Circular Quay, public transport is the easiest way to get here. Ferries, buses, trains and light rail all stop here, making it easy and convenient. Several carparks are located nearby if you want to drive.

The Museum

Near the entrance a metallic sculpture provides some great photo opportunities, because its design allowing unique views of the Opera House.

During our visit one gallery was dedicated to David Malangi Daymirringu’s aboriginal artwork. They follow important sites, ceremonies, and stories that encompass ancestral knowledge connected to the artist’s Manharrngu clan of central Arnhem Land. Some of the photos below show his amazing work.

As expected the remaining art on display ranged from weird and unique to strangely interesting. A fun place to walk around, especially if you want to see what current artist are producing.

A cafeteria on the roof gives great views of Sydney Harbour as well as Circular Quay. We sat here for a while enjoying morning tea and watching the ferries going in and out of the Quay.

What Did We Think?

This was an interesting visit. The highlight was the indigenous artwork on display, which looked amazing. It was nice to see that the museum takes great pride in its support of aboriginal and Torres Strait artists. Open everyday except Mondays.

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

State Library of New South Wales

State Library of New South Wales

State Library of New South Wales

Located at 1 Shakespeare Place in the centre of Sydney, the State Library of New South Wales is the oldest library in Australia. Established in 1826, it moved to the current building in 1910. Designed by Walter Liberty Vernon, the heritage listed building has been expanded over the years as its collection has grown.

Outside the Library

The magnificent library building has several interesting statues on its grounds, which are worth looking for. To the right of the main entrance is a statue of Lieutenant General Sir Richard Bourke. Erected by the people of New South Wales, the statue commemorates Sir Richard Bourke’s governorship and administration. This was the first monument erected in Australia.

Across the road from the entrance, is the Shakespeare Memorial, with figures representing Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Portia and Falstaff on the lower level, with Shakespeare standing above them. Located on a traffic island in the middle of a busy road, you need to be careful if getting close, because there is no pedestrian crossing to it.

Matthew Flinders

A statue of Matthew Flinders, the first person to circumnavigate Australia sits outside the Mitchell Library on Macquarie Street.

Statue of Matthew Flinders State Library of New South Wales
Statue of Matthew Flinders – With the cat statue behind him on the window sill

Flinders’ Cat

Trim was a ship’s cat who accompanied Matthew Flinders on his voyages to circumnavigate and map the coastline of Australia in 1801–03. It sits on a window ledge of the Mitchell Library on Macquarie Street, directly behind a statue of his owner. The plaque near the statue reads:


TO THE MEMORY OF
TRIM
The best and most illustrious of his race.
The most affectionate of friends,
faithful of servants,
and best of creatures.
He made the tour of the globe, and a voyage to Australia,
which he circumnavigated, and was ever the
delight and pleasure of his fellow voyagers. 
Written by Matthew Flinders in memory of his cat.
Memorial donated by the North Shore Historical Society.

Matthew Flinders’ Cat

Vestibule

The library’s vestibule contains a huge copy of the map of Australia made by Abel Tasman in the 1640’s. The original of this historical document is held in the library’s collection.

The Library

The main collection and reading room, the Mitchell Library Reading Room is adjacent to the vestibule. Being large and spacious with beautiful stain glass windows makes it an excellent place for quiet study.

State Library of New South Wales Galleries

Located on the upper floors of the gallery are several galleries. These contain an excellent collection of paintings and we spent some time wandering around.

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