The Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) is one of Australia's most exciting and respected creative precincts. The complex spans two buildings, idyllically located by the water in South Bank, Brisbane. While the Queensland Art Gallery has been residing at this location since 1982, the gallery itself actually dates back to 1895. The Gallery of Modern Art annex was opened in 2006 and these days the two galleries house an impressive permanent collection – in addition to hosting regular temporary exhibitions. Since 1993, QAGOMA has also been hosting the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, which draws around three million visitors through the doors. QAGOMA is easy to get to by bus or train and has cafés and lovely, grassy areas for lunch breaks nearby. Grab a bite from the GOMA kiosk and make friends with the many water dragon lizards who like to lounge around by the river.
Landscapes and portraits and prints, oh my! You’ll find these and much more – from immersive installations to pioneering digital artworks – at Brisbane’s world-class collection of art galleries. Whether you’re a fan of the old masters or a devotee of the avant garde, creative expressions of every colour, texture and medium are waiting to inspire and wow you. The hard part? Picking which of these incredible institutions to visit first.