The Cairns Art Gallery is one of Australia’s leading public galleries recognised for the excellence of its programs and collections relating to the unique heritage and living culture of North Queensland in the context of the world’s tropic zone and the Asia Pacific region.
The Gallery is committed to bringing great art to the region. Housed in a landmark heritage building, the Cairns Art Gallery is the region's premier destination for exhibitions featuring historical and contemporary art by leading regional, national and international artists. The Gallery also presents exhibitions highlighting key works and themes from the Permanent Collection that focus on the unique cultural heritage of Far North Queensland.
Throughout the year, the Gallery presents a range of creative learning programs for audiences of diverse ages and backgrounds including art classes, talks and events that relate to exhibitions and the permanent collection.
The Gallery Shop showcases an ever-changing collection of exclusively created and carefully selected products. Celebrating outstanding local makers and designers, as well as the best of artists from across Australia, our shop brings together art, lifestyle, books and more.
Cairns Art Gallery
Cnr Abbott & Shields Street, Cairns City
Free entry, donations are appreciated
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri // 9:00am–5:00pm
Sat // 10:00am–5:00pm
Sun // 10:00am–2:00pm
Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day
New Years Eve: 9:00am–4:00pm
Discover What's On
Parking
Paid parking is available on Shields St, Abbott St and the Cairns Esplanade.
Public parking is also available on the Esplanade, access via Pier Point Rd.
Public Transport
Cairns Art Gallery is located 5 minutes from the Cairns City Bus Station. Please contact Cairns Translink for timetables.
Bicycles
Bike racks are located on the Esplanade, 100m from the Gallery. Bikes are not permitted inside Cairns Art Gallery
Cairns Art Gallery welcomes visitors with varied access needs.
Lifts
All levels of the Gallery are accessible via lifts.
Wheelchairs
Lifts are located on all floors of the Gallery, enabling access all our space including a wheelchair access bathroom on the first floor.
Guide dogs
Guide dogs and registered assistance animals are welcome in the Gallery.
Self-guided
The Gallery welcomes group tours from schools and the general public.
School tours must be accompanied by teachers.
Guided
Guided tours are provided by experienced educators and gallery staff.
Bookings
All bookings must be made by filling out the tour enquiry form and emailing it to
Tour enquiry form
The Cairns Art Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and live. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, names or voices of deceased persons in photographs, film or text.