Canberra Museum and Gallery, known as CMAG, is a focused way to explore the city�s social history and visual arts in the heart of Civic. Its position at London Circuit and Civic Square makes it an easy addition to a central Canberra day, but the experience itself is rooted in the stories, objects and artists that have shaped the Canberra region.
The gallery describes its role as a place to experience the diverse history and contemporary culture of the region. That gives a visit a different emphasis from the national institutions nearby: look for the connections between place, community, visual culture and the changing identity of Canberra.
CMAG�s exhibition programme includes Canberra/Kamberri, Place & People, which introduces the people, places and history that make up the city and region. The Gallery also manages the Nolan Collection, a group of paintings made between 1945 and 1953 that Sidney Nolan gifted to the nation. These two strands make a good starting point: one is anchored in local history, while the other provides a concentrated encounter with an important body of Australian art.
Because changing displays are central to CMAG, check the exhibition listing close to your visit. The aim is not to race through every room, but to combine a little local context with time in the visual-art spaces and then follow the material that catches your attention.
CMAG says most exhibitions are free, though some temporary exhibitions may charge. It publishes different weekday and weekend opening hours, so confirm the current details before travel. The Gallery is fully wheelchair accessible, has seating options during public programmes and can arrange use of a wheelchair when contacted in advance.
The City bus interchange is a short walk away, while parking around Civic may require extra time because of nearby construction and changing traffic conditions. CMAG advises visitors to check current parking information before setting out. If you drive, leave a margin for finding a suitable nearby public car park rather than treating the gallery as a quick stop between appointments.
A CMAG visit works well when you give it enough time for a few rooms rather than approaching it as a box to tick. Begin with Canberra/Kamberri, Place & People if you want regional context, then move to the Nolan Collection and other current exhibitions. The gallery�s scale makes it approachable, while its mix of historical material and visual art provides plenty to return to on a future Civic visit.
Sources last validated: 15 September 2026.