In our opinion, Newcastle is one of the most underrated cities in the world. It’s much more than sun, surf and sand – it’s also home to one of Australia’s hidden art treasures, set to reopen in February 2026. Following a multi-year renovation, Newcastle Art Gallery will double in size to become NSW’s largest public gallery outside Sydney, proving the city isn’t just about coastal charm – it’s culture-packed too.
You might be surprised to discover that Newcastle Art Gallery was Australia’s first purpose-built regional gallery, officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in March 1977. Sitting opposite Civic Park, it has been the beating heart of the Hunter Region’s arts and culture scene for almost fifty years. The gallery closed in January 2022 for a major glow-up, which will add an extra 1,600 square metres of exhibition space to the imposing ’70s concrete brutalism architecture.
Over the decades, Newcastle Art Gallery has expanded its collection by more than 500 per cent. It’s now home to one of the nation’s finest public art collections, with more than 7,000 works valued at $145 million. The multi-million-dollar renovation will allow the gallery to present long-term displays of its world-class permanent collection for the first time, alongside ambitious Australian and international exhibitions. The lower levels will be dedicated to spotlighting the gallery's personal collections, while the upper level will host a diverse programme of limited-time local and international exhibitions.
The grand reopening in February 2026 will be headlined by Iconic, Loved, Unexpected, the gallery’s first large-scale presentation of its nationally renowned collection. Spanning two levels, it will feature masterpieces by Australian and First Nations icons, like Joseph Lycett, Margaret Olley, John Olsen, Emily Kam Kngwarray and Albert Namatjira, including works that have never been seen before.
City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said the completion of the expanded Art Gallery is the city's largest ever capital works project: "While the almost $50 million cost to double the size of the Gallery is significant, it's a fraction of the value of the $145 million collection it will soon exhibit.”
To celebrate the reopening, Newcastle Art Gallery has commissioned a series of new works by acclaimed Australian artists presented across the site, including two architectural-scale sculptures by Fayen d'Evie and a four-metre-high sculpture by seventh-generation Novocastrian and proud Awabakal descendant Shellie Smith in collaboration with fabricator Julie Squires.
The major renovation will also introduce a new café, retail shop, multi-purpose program space and learning studio. Stay tuned for exciting details about the 2026 exhibition program in the months ahead. And if you want a first look, Newcastle Art Gallery is currently open Friday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm, with free guided tours available to book until December.