If you live in Canberra then we’re sure you have been to Questacon, the War Memorial and the National Museum of Australia at least once in your lifetime. Today we’re here to help you discover some of the hidden gems that exist in Canberra that you may not have heard of or are needing a push to visit. This is the perfect time to explore Australia’s rich history and art culture, especially when it means you can escape the cold and discover something new!
Aboriginal Dreamings Gallery
The Aboriginal Dreamings Gallery was established in 1989, with Indigenous paintings, arts and crafts ethically sourced from back to the 1970’s. The artwork has been chosen from multiple Indigenous art centres and communities that include the work of old masters such as Rover Thomas and Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula, as well as art from emerging and collectable artists. If you are an Aboriginal art collector, the Dreamings Gallery is a must see, with personal shopping services available.
Strathnairn Arts
Strathnairn Arts is set in a converted 1920’s homestead that provides working spaces, facilities and studios for a range of community groups, artists and crafts people. The community of artists work in many diverse mediums such as painting, sculpting, pottery, textile artistry, printmaking, woodwork and installation with a full program of exhibitions and workshops running yearly. As well as the galleries you will also find SHOP and a café that overlooks the stunning Brindabella Mountains.
Beaver Galleries
Beaver Galleries in Deakin is Canberra’s largest privately owned commercial gallery, with three spacious galleries, a print room, gallery shop, sculpture garden and a kitchen. Established in 1975, the gallery exhibits work from both established and emerging artists around Australia with over 20 exhibitions a year.
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Burranju Art Gallery
Burranju Art Gallery was established in 2006 with the mission to “provide local Aboriginal people with an opportunity to realise their dream of self-determination by providing an avenue to sell art”. Everything is authentic and hand-made with an incredible display of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal arts and crafts showcasing established and emerging artists.
Canberra Railway Museum
Travel back in time at the Canberra Railway Museum in Kingston, home to the very first train to arrive in Canberra in 1914 and locomotive 1210, one of the oldest steam engines in Australia. Take a guided tour to see carriages, locomotives and artifacts, or blow the horn from the driver’s seat of a vintage railmotor! The museum is open Sundays from 10am-3pm with a small fee.
Gallery of Small Things (GOST)
The Gallery of Small Things (GOST) is Canberra’s smallest gallery with a space of less than 6 meters square. The gallery showcases ceramics, jewellery, mixed media, paintings, photography, print media, textiles and wood, and is a representation of the supportive art community giving a platform to artists from Canberra and surrounds. GOST reopens on Thursday 8 July so make sure you mark it in your Calendar and pay them a little visit!
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Lanyon Homestead
Take a guided tour of Lanyon Homestead to learn about the families that lived and worked in the area. Don’t forget to walk around the surrounding gardens to see the convict-era outbuildings and take in the stunning scenery of the Murrumbidgee River. This venue is also available for weddings and events. Book a Mugga Mugga Cottage tour to see an 1850s stone cottage that belonged to the Curley family, or book to tour Calthorpe’s house, built in 1927 and home to the Calthorpe family. Both Mugga Mugga Cottage and Calthorpes’ House showcase original contemporary contents. See a full list of available guided tours and more information on these fascinating house museums here.
St. John’s Schoolhouse Museum
Time travel back to the 1870’s at St. John’s Schoolhouse Museum, Canberra’s first schoolhouse that was built way back in the early 19th century. The school started operation in 1845 and closed in 1907, with visitors getting to experience what school was like in the late 1800’s by ringing the bell, playing games, writing on a slate and sitting at old desks. Visitors will also get to see photographic displays that show how Canberra has grown from a farming community to the city it is today.
Grainger Gallery
The Grainger Gallery in Fyshwick has revolving exhibitions throughout the year, as well being the host of studio workshops. The gallery was established to be a place where you can make, process and experience art as well as showcase established and emerging artists.
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