About Geelong Gallery
Geelong Gallery is a major public art gallery located in central Geelong, Victoria, within Johnstone Park and the Geelong Cultural Precinct. Established in 1896, it is one of Australia's oldest regional galleries. The gallery holds a significant collection of Australian and international paintings, works on paper, sculpture and decorative arts, including Eugene von Guérard's 1856 View of Geelong. It presents permanent collection displays and temporary exhibitions and offers free general admission.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a compact, two-level gallery in a heritage building in Johnstone Park, displaying Australian colonial to contemporary art, European works, and decorative arts. The visit includes permanent collection galleries, changing temporary exhibitions, interpretive labels and guided tours. The setting is an indoor, climate-controlled museum environment within Geelong's cultural precinct, adjacent to the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre, with a gallery shop and quiet viewing spaces.
Key highlights
- 01
Eugene von Guérard's View of Geelong (1856) - iconic 19th-century panoramic painting of Geelong
- 02
Extensive collection of Australian paintings including works by Frederick McCubbin, Arthur Streeton and Fred Williams
- 03
Collection of works on paper, sculpture and decorative arts from 18th century to contemporary
- 04
Program of temporary exhibitions featuring Australian and international artists
- 05
Heritage gallery building located in Johnstone Park within the Geelong Cultural Precinct
History of Geelong Gallery
Established in 1896 as the Geelong Art Gallery, it is one of Australia's oldest regional art galleries. Founded by members of the Geelong community, the gallery was established to bring art to the regional population. Its early collection was built through donations and acquisitions, including the commission and acquisition of Eugene von Guérard's View of Geelong in 1856, which remains a cornerstone of the collection.
Culture & Context
As a leading regional public gallery in Victoria, Geelong Gallery plays a significant role in preserving and presenting Australian art history, particularly colonial and Heidelberg School works, alongside contemporary and international art. It serves as a cultural anchor for the Greater Geelong region and the Geelong Cultural Precinct, hosting exhibitions, education programs and community events.