Walk through portrait art at National Portrait Gallery
Canberra, Australia • 
Must Do
Must Do
Best months to visit
Jan, Dec
15°C – 27°C, warm temperatures with moderate rainfall; average high of 27, high crowds, peak season
15°C – 27°C, warm temperatures with moderate rainfall; average high of 27, high crowds, peak season
Walking required
No
Fully accessible with wheelchairs, ramps, and seating.
Fully accessible with wheelchairs, ramps, and seating.
Value for money
Medium
Free entry balances against potential exhibition fees.
Free entry balances against potential exhibition fees.
Highlights we curated for you
See what similar travellers think of this activity
C
Reviews from other travelers
Summarised by AI
Elegant Setting
Couples loved the gallery's modern, relaxed atmosphere, perfect for a romantic stroll.
Artistic Journey
Visitors felt the diverse portrait collection offered an enriching cultural experience.
Easy Access
Couples found the accessibility features and location very convenient for a day out.
Smaller Collection
Some couples felt the gallery's collection was smaller than expected, a bit disappointing.
Limited Exhibits
Travelers noted that special exhibitions could have entry fees, which was a drawback.
No Cafe
Couples were a bit sad there was no cafe to get a coffee and relax.
How to book
ViatorRECOMMENDED
Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
2h - 3h
4.8
from
USD 45
per_person
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GetyourguidePremium Experience with Hotel Pickup
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before
4h - 5h
4.9
from
USD 70
per_person
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KlookPrivate Full-Day Tour
Non-refundable
8h - 10h
5.0
from
USD 120
per_person
BOOK
Hours of operation
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
In-depth experience
May contain spoilers
Watch curated videos from fellow travellers for a glimpse of what to expect.
Take a scenic stroll through National Portrait Gallery and uncover its hidden gems.
Follow this immersive path through National Portrait Gallery’s vibrant culture and history.
When to visit
We've analysed user reviews and geographical data, and identified the best and worst months to visit.
Month
Crowd Level
Weather
Availability
Our recommendation
December
HIGH
12-25°C
Summer begins with warm temperatures and the highest rainfall of the year.
Summer begins with warm temperatures and the highest rainfall of the year.
Open
No significant restrictions; all exhibits are accessible.
No significant restrictions; all exhibits are accessible.
Recommended
December's warm weather and festive atmosphere attract many visitors; expect larger crowds and higher prices.
December's warm weather and festive atmosphere attract many visitors; expect larger crowds and higher prices.
January
HIGH
15-27°C
Warm temperatures with moderate rainfall; average high of 27.2°C and low of 14.8°C.
Warm temperatures with moderate rainfall; average high of 27.2°C and low of 14.8°C.
Open
No specific restrictions; however, some exhibitions may require advance booking due to high demand.
No specific restrictions; however, some exhibitions may require advance booking due to high demand.
Recommended
January offers warm weather and extended daylight hours, making it ideal for visiting the National Portrait Gallery. Be prepared for larger crowds and potentially higher prices during this peak tourist season.
January offers warm weather and extended daylight hours, making it ideal for visiting the National Portrait Gallery. Be prepared for larger crowds and potentially higher prices during this peak tourist season.
February
MEDIUM
14-25°C
Warm temperatures with slightly higher rainfall; average high of 25.3°C and low of 14.2°C.
Warm temperatures with slightly higher rainfall; average high of 25.3°C and low of 14.2°C.
Open
No specific restrictions; more availability compared to January.
No specific restrictions; more availability compared to January.
Recommended
February provides warm weather with moderate crowds, offering a more relaxed experience at the National Portrait Gallery. Prices and availability are generally favorable.
February provides warm weather with moderate crowds, offering a more relaxed experience at the National Portrait Gallery. Prices and availability are generally favorable.
March
LOW
12-23°C
Mild temperatures with reduced rainfall; average high of 22.7°C and low of 12.0°C.
Mild temperatures with reduced rainfall; average high of 22.7°C and low of 12.0°C.
Open
No specific restrictions; ample availability.
No specific restrictions; ample availability.
Recommended
March offers pleasant weather and minimal crowds, making it an excellent time to visit the National Portrait Gallery. Prices are typically lower, and availability is high.
March offers pleasant weather and minimal crowds, making it an excellent time to visit the National Portrait Gallery. Prices are typically lower, and availability is high.
How to get there
Bus
Recommended
Buses 2 and 6 stop at Parkes Place East, directly opposite the gallery. Other routes (4, 5, 7, 10, 57, 58, 59, 180, 181, 182) have nearby stops.
Taxi
Recommended
Taxis and rideshares can drop off directly at the main entrance on King Edward Terrace.
Walking
Recommended
A 45-minute walk from the Civic center via Commonwealth Park and across Lake Burley Griffin via the Commonwealth Bridge.
Bike
Bike racks are available near the main entrance on Parkes Place and near the Sculpture Garden.
Car
The gallery has an underground car park with entry on Parkes Place. Paid parking is in effect from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm daily.
Additional info
Here's what you need to know about this experience
Mobility
Wheelchair Accessible
Walking Required
Stairs Present
Seating Available
Flat Terrain
Hiking Required
Elevator Available
Mobility Scooter Friendly
Ramps Available
Pregnancy
Suitable for pregnancy
Allowed during pregnancy
Pets
Pets not allowed
Driving
Driving License Required
Idp Required