Please see the map and table below to find Art Galleries in the Northern Rivers.
The Northern Rivers region of NSW is a major creative hub, home to one of the highest concentrations of artists in Australia. Whether you’re looking for major regional institutions or small, artist-run spaces, here is a list of must-visit galleries across the region.
Major Regional Galleries
These larger institutions often host national touring exhibitions and house significant permanent collections.
Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre (Murwillumbah)
Arguably the jewel of the region, this gallery offers stunning views of Wollumbin (Mt Warning). It features a world-class re-creation of Margaret Olley’s home studio and a dedicated space for the Olive Cotton Award for photographic portraiture.
Lismore Regional Gallery
Located in the heart of Lismore, this gallery has fully revitalized its contemporary space. It focuses on experimental and community-driven art, frequently showcasing First Nations stories and local histories.
Northern Rivers Community Gallery (Ballina)
Housed in the historic former Ballina Municipal Council Chambers, this gallery features four exhibition spaces with a rotating program that changes every eight weeks.
Grafton Regional Gallery
Grafton Regional Gallery is a premier cultural destination in the Clarence Valley, housed in the beautifully restored historic Prentice House (circa 1880) and featuring modern, award-winning extensions. It serves as a major hub for contemporary visual arts in the southern part of the Northern Rivers region.
- Exhibitions & Collections: The gallery is home to the prestigious Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award (JADA) and maintains an extensive collection of contemporary Australian drawings and works reflecting the local heritage.
- Facilities: The site includes multiple exhibition spaces, a dedicated workshop area for art classes, and a beautiful courtyard.
- Visiting: Located at 158 Fitzroy Street, the gallery is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed on Mondays).
Boutique & Artist-Run Spaces
For a more intimate experience or to purchase works directly from local creatives:
- Lone Goat Gallery (Byron Bay): Located within the Byron Bay Library building, this is the town’s premier community gallery, featuring a sophisticated rotation of local and visiting contemporary artists.
- Haven Gallery (Byron Bay): A newer, immersive, and multi-sensory art space in the center of Byron Bay that blends digital imagination with physical installations.
- Blue Knob Hall Gallery & Café (Lillian Rock): A hidden gem located at the foot of Blue Knob Mountain. It’s a non-profit gallery showing ceramics, glassware, and paintings, often with an eco-conscious or rural theme.
- Nimbin Artists Gallery (Nimbin): A vibrant, artist-run cooperative located next to the Nimbin Town Hall. It’s the best place to see the “psychedelic” and alternative art styles for which the town is famous.
- Roxy Gallery (Kyogle): A community-run space that showcases a wide variety of mixed media from the Kyogle shire and surrounding hinterland.
- Cassino Gallery (Casino): A local hub that focuses on community engagement through regular exhibitions, workshops, and art classes.
Unique Art Trails & Outdoor Galleries
Back Alley Gallery (Lismore): An “open-air” gallery featuring over 60 murals, graffiti pieces, and installations in the laneways of Lismore’s CBD.
Murwillumbah & Tweed Valley
- Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre: A premier national destination featuring the Margaret Olley home studio re-creation and the Olive Cotton Award.
- M-Arts Precinct: A vibrant industrial warehouse space where you can watch artists work in their shipping-container studios and browse the gallery.
- Mist Gallery (Cabaret): A boutique gallery in Cabarita Beach focusing on contemporary Australian landscape and still life.
Byron Bay & Bangalow
- Lone Goat Gallery: Located in the Byron Bay Library, it is the town’s premier community art space.
- Thomgallery: A high-end private gallery in the Byron Arts & Industry Estate focusing on significant investment pieces and large-scale sculpture.
- Bangalow Galleries: Various boutique spaces in the historic village of Bangalow often feature high-end fine art and photography.
- Haven Gallery: A multi-sensory and digital art installation space in central Byron.
Lismore & Surrounds
- Lismore Regional Gallery: A major hub for contemporary and experimental art with a strong focus on community and First Nations stories.
- Blue Knob Hall Gallery & Café (Lillian Rock): A cooperative gallery nestled in the hinterland, focusing on ceramics, fiber art, and works inspired by the environment.
- Nimbin Artists Gallery: An artist-run cooperative showcasing the unique, vibrant, and “psychedelic” art characteristic of Nimbin.
- Serpentine Community Gallery: A community-run space in Lismore that provides a platform for emerging and local grassroots artists.
Ballina, Lennox Head & Coastal
- Northern Rivers Community Gallery (Ballina): Housed in the historic council chambers, offering four distinct exhibition spaces with a high-frequency rotation.
- Lennox Arts Collective: A group of local artists (painters, photographers, and designers) sharing a space in the heart of Lennox Head.
Casino, Kyogle & The Hinterland
- Roxy Gallery (Kyogle): A professional exhibition space within the Kyogle Council building that highlights regional mixed-media artists.
- Cassino Gallery (Casino): A community-based art center and gallery that hosts local exhibitions and art workshops.
- Grafton Regional Gallery: Located further south but serving the broader region, it is home to the prestigious Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award (JADA).