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Category: painting

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Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie

The First Gallery Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie

Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie

The Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie, formerly known as Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery, was established in 1980. First housed in Lake Macquarie’s former council chambers on Main Road at Speers Point, the gallery relocated to First Street, Booragul in 1996.

The gallery originally occupied Awaba House on this site from 1996 to 2000 when a decision was made to construct the new state-of-the-art facility. At the time we visited there had been a fire and Awaba House had been extensively damaged. Launched in May 2001 the new art gallery building saw the addition of an art seminar room in 2008. In 2019, a further expansion provided additional gallery space.

Entrance to MAC
Entrance to Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie

How to Get There

Located at First Street, Booragul, the gallery overlooks Lake Macquarie, providing great views in a relaxing setting. A small car park next to the gallery is convenient, however, if this is full more is available on-street nearby.

Sculpture Park

Located on 5 hectares between the gallery and lakeshore, the Sculpture Park includes work by local and national artists. Launched in 1996, the sculpture park has continued to develop and currently comprises 16 sculptures by 11 artists.

We spent some time walking around the sculptures before entering the gallery.

  • Sculpture Outside the Main Gallery
    Sculpture Outside the Main Gallery
  • Sculpture Outside the Main Gallery
    Sculpture Outside the Main Gallery
  • Mosaic Outside the Main Gallery
    Mosaic Outside the Main Gallery
  • Entrance Walkway
    Entrance Walkway
  • Fish Sculpture on the Entrance Walkway
    Fish Sculpture on the Entrance Walkway

Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie Collection

Comprised of four focus areas, the Visual Arts Collection includes works by highly-regarded national, international and Hunter-based artists.

The collection has a core group of works by established contemporary Australian artists. This includes a number of works by Sir William Dobell, large-scale contemporary sculptures and Indigenous works.

We loved walking around the gallery, because it has great diversity for such a small venue. We found it had a lot to offer and enjoyed our time there. With works ranging from Sir William Dobell to contemporary artists, the collection is worth the visit.

  • Gallery at the Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie
    Gallery at the Museum
  • The First Gallery Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie
    The First Gallery
  • Deanne Newland - Rejuvenating 2
    Deanne Newland – Rejuvenating 2
  • Saretta Fielding - Malang Kateya Part 2
    Saretta Fielding – Malang Kateya Part 2
  • Helen McLachlan - Rejuvenate 2020
    Helen McLachlan – Rejuvenate 2020
  • Susan Ryman - Whispering Pillars
    Susan Ryman – Whispering Pillars
  • Karen Murray - Sentinel Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie
    Karen Murray – Sentinel
  • Bronze Sculpture Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie
    Bronze Sculpture
  • Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie
    Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie
  • Thelma Wawrzonek - Wangi Power Station Ruins
    Thelma Wawrzonek – Wangi Power Station Ruins
  • Maureen Boyle - The Fisherman
    Maureen Boyle – The Fisherman

Coffee Shop

Sculpture Cafe is a licensed venue and offers morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea. Seating is both inside and on the deck overlooking the Sculpture Park and the lake. We enjoyed morning tea on the deck because of the wonderful views.

View From the Cafe
View From the Cafe

What Did We Think?

We enjoyed our visit because of the diverse range of art on display. The outdoor park was fun to walk around, while the quality works inside were amazing. To add to this was the wonderful location of the coffee shop with its great views.

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Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre

Part of the Max Watters Collection on Display

Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre

Located on the corner of Bridge and William Streets in the School of Arts building, the Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre houses a large collection of local national and international artists. The Muswellbrook School of Arts building is worth admiring because of its architectural beauty.

Entry to the centre is free and the friendly staff on the front counter will explain what is currently on display.

During our visit, we were lucky to have the 2019 Archibald Prize being displayed, which gave us an opportunity to admire that years winners. The Young Archies were also available for viewing, with artwork from young Australians on display.

Local artist Max Watters had several of his works on display, with the Centre holding many more of this art in storage. With the Archibald paintings taking up significant galley space, many pieces from the Centre’s collection were in temporary storage. This was a small price to pay however, to be able to see these other great paintings.

School of Arts Muswellbrook NSW Australia
School of Arts
Tjuparntarri – Women’s Business by David Darcy
Tjuparntarri – Women’s Business by David Darcy
White Shells, Black Heart by Blak Douglas
White Shells, Black Heart by Blak Douglas
Art and War by Anh Do
Art and War by Anh Do
Through The Looking Glass the 2019 Archibald Packing Room Prize by Tessa MacKay
Through The Looking Glass the 2019 Archibald Packing Room Prize by Tessa MacKay
Part of the Max Watters Collection on Display
Part of the Max Watters Collection on Display
Part of the Max Watters Collection on Display
Part of the Max Watters Collection on Display

Upper Hunter Valley Sculpture Trail

Outside the Centre, is the ANZAC Centenary Stone, which forms the start of the Upper Hunter Valley Sculpture Trail. A sign next to the sculpture explains the trail and what is to be found at each location. See our post on the Sculpture Trail if you want to learn more about it.

  • Upper Hunter Valley Sculpture Trail Map
    Upper Hunter Valley Sculpture Trail Map
  • ANZAC Centenary Stone Outside the Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre
    ANZAC Centenary Stone Outside the Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre

What Did We Think?

With the bonus of seeing the Archibald Prize, we really enjoyed our visit. There was a great selection of local artists, that would only be better, when the gallery space taken up by the touring exhibition is available. The Arts Centre often has visiting exhibitions on display so check to see what’s on display before you visit.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Art Gallery of New South Wales

Bronze Sculptures

Art Gallery of New South Wales

Located in the Domain, the Art Gallery of New South Wales opened in 1885 with two picture galleries. Over time additional wings and a foyer expanded the building to its current size.

Entry is free to the general collection, although entry to any special events or exhibitions is not.

How to Get to The Art Gallery of New South Wales

If driving, the Domain car park is within easy walking distance and is secure and undercover. The closest train station is Martin Place, only a ten-minute walk from the Gallery. The closest bus stop is Sheraton on the Park, Elizabeth St, followed by a 15 minute walk. Both walks go through the Domain parkland which has landscaped gardens, with shady trees and seats to relax on.

Art Gallery of New South Wales
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Entrance Foyer of the Art Gallery of NSW
Entrance Foyer of the Art Gallery of NSW

The Art Gallery of New South Wales Collection

15th to 19th Century European Gallery

Filled with classical European paintings and sculptures, this gallery contains beautiful artworks from the 15th to 19th centuries. There is a large silver sculpture (The English Channel by Michael Parekowhai 2015), from the 21st century that clashes with the other works, because of its chrome finish.

The English Channel by Michael Parekowhai 2015
The English Channel by Michael Parekowhai 2015
Bronze Sculpture Art Gallery of New South Wales
Bronze Sculpture
Bronze Sculptures Art Gallery of New South Wales
Bronze Sculptures
The visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon by Sir Edward John Poynter 1890
The visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon by Sir Edward John Poynter 1890

Australian Gallery

One of the reasons for the Galley’s foundation, was to encourage interest in the arts in Australia. To this end it has expanded from simply showing European art, to exhibiting Australian artists.

Represented here are famous Australian artists, such as Sidney Nolan and Russell Drysdale in addition to many others.

First-class Marksman by Sidney Nolan 1946 Art Gallery of New South Wales
First-class Marksman by Sidney Nolan 1946
The Camp by Sidney Nolan 1946
The Camp by Sidney Nolan 1946
Five in a Row by Richard Larter 1961
Five in a Row by Richard Larter 1961
Crucifixion by Russell Drysdale 1946 Art Gallery of New South Wales
Crucifixion by Russell Drysdale 1946
Nocturne No. 3 Commonwealth Lane by Danila Vassilieff 1958 Art Gallery of New South Wales
Nocturne No. 3 Commonwealth Lane by Danila Vassilieff 1958
Atlas by Colin Lanceley 1965
Atlas by Colin Lanceley 1965

Lowy, Gonski Gallery

Busts in the Classical Gallery
Busts in the Lowy, Gonski Gallery

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Gallery

Showcased in its own gallery, the unique style of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders is a great contrast to classical art in the other galleries. Often colourful and always reflecting the artists culture, this was a great gallery to wander around.

Contemporary Aboriginal Art Work
Contemporary Aboriginal Art Work
Aboriginal Art Work
Aboriginal Art Work
Aboriginal Message Sticks
Aboriginal Message Sticks

Contemporary Galleries

The contemporary galleries display art that reflects current culture, covering the 1960s to present in all media types.

Clockwork for Oracles by Ugo Rondinone 2010
Clockwork for Oracles by Ugo Rondinone 2010

Asian Gallery

Following the Sydney International Exhibition in 1879, the Government of Japan gifted a large group of ceramics and bronzes to the Gallery. This initial collection has now expanded to cover two floors, making the gallery a leading centre for Asian art. Today, the wide-ranging Asian collection embraces many countries and cultures of Asia.

Asian Exhibition
Asian Exhibition

Entrance Court and Special Exhibits

Often displaying large murals that reflect the current special exhibits, the Entrance Court is large, bright and open. It leads to most of the other galleries. Pick up a map at the reception desk, to ensure you can find your way around. The internal floor plan of the gallery is complex and it’s easy to miss exhibits.

The Gallery Shop contains an extensive array of books and gifts relating to the gallery. If you need a reference book, or want to learn more about an artist, this could be the pace to find it.

Japanese Supernatural Exhibition
Japanese Supernatural Exhibition
Japanese Supernatural
Japanese Supernatural

Art Outside the Gallery

Adorning the walls of the Gallery’s entrance a series of bronze sculptures, representing classical European art. Throughout the Domain, sculptures of Burns, Robertson (a politician) and contemporary themes add to the fun of walking around.

  • Sir John Robertson Statue
    Sir John Robertson Statue
  • Opposite the Art Gallery
    Opposite the Art Gallery
  • Front of the Art Gallery
    Front of the Art Gallery
  • The Matchsticks
    The Matchsticks
  • Burns Statue
    Burns Statue

Where to Eat

If you get hungry before, during or after you visit, the gallery has a cafe where you can refuel before admiring the art works on display.

If you would rather eat outside, a restaurant and associated bar across the road offer meals snacks and drinks.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

Our photos are available for purchase on