Art Gallery of Ballarat

The Art Gallery of Ballarat is Australia’s oldest and largest regional gallery.

Its busy exhibition schedule makes the Gallery an exciting and dynamic place which presents a range of exhibitions from cutting edge contemporary art to themed shows drawn from the Gallery’s extensive collection. It is a focus for Ballarat’s lively arts scene and is situated in the heart of Ballarat’s Heritage and Arts central precinct, which boasts great cafes and restaurants, book and antique shops and commercial galleries.

The Gallery draws from its magnificent collection of Australian paintings, sculpture, ceramics and works on paper to give visitors the opportunity to walk through the history of Australian art, with important representative works from colonial to contemporary periods displayed in spaces appropriate to their period. iPod tours are available from the front desk.

The Art Gallery is home to the original flag from the 1854 Eureka Stockade. One of Australia’s most important historical relics, the flag is displayed in its own gallery alongside a changing display of goldfields related artwork.

The heritage-listed Gallery building, one of the oldest purpose-built art galleries in the country, has evolved to accommodate the expanding collection and now includes a range of spaces from grand and elegant 19th century rooms to stunning contemporary additions. The shop stocks works by local artists and craftspeople as well as art books, souvenirs, gifts and toys. The Gallery is fully accessible for people with disabilities.