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Canberra

National Portrait Gallery

  • Address
    • Parkes Pl Parkes
  • Website
  • Phone
    • 02-610 7000
  • Price
    • admission free
  • Hours
    • 10am-5pm

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Lonely Planet review for National Portrait Gallery

This gallery tells the story of Australia through its faces – from colonial portraits of the nation's founding families to Bill Henson's photographs of Australian conductor Simone Young and shots of celebrities such as Cate Blanchett and AC/DC's Angus Young. The several hundred works on show also tell the story of the evolution of portraiture, from wax cameos of Aboriginal tribespeople to a Day-Glo Nick Cave. The collection used to be housed at Old Parliament House, and this beautiful new purpose-built gallery is a treat in itself – it's made from wood and stone from every state and territory and its gardens are planted with varieties from all over the country.