National Gallery of Australia

The National Gallery of Australia, in Canberra's Parliamentary Triangle beside Lake Burley Griffin, is the country's premier art museum — home to one of the largest and most significant art collections in the nation. Spanning Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Asian and international art, including celebrated works such as Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles, it's an essential destination for art lovers, with free general entry.

There's an enormous amount to explore, from the world's largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art to major international masterpieces and the lovely outdoor Sculpture Garden. The breadth and quality of the collection, within a striking building in the heart of the national institutions, reward a proper, unhurried visit.

With a 4.6 rating from more than 7,100 reviews, it's overwhelmingly admired. General admission is free, but major exhibitions have their own ticketing and hours, and popular shows can sell out, so it's worth checking the current program and details before you visit — and allowing plenty of time, as the collection is vast and rewards a longer, unhurried explore.