13 of the best art galleries on the Gold Coast

Lara Picone Lara Picone
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Take in the Gold Coast’s lively art scene at these carefully curated galleries.

The Gold Coast may be best loved for its covetable beaches, lush rainforests, and its sun-soaked, light-hearted energy, but all that beauty and bounce translates into inspiration for a region rich with artful talent. From curators and collaborators to sculptors and ceramicists, the creative scene is as vibrant as it is vast and there are plenty of places to experience what it has to offer. To get you ready for some visual feasting, here’s our list of the best art galleries on the Gold Coast.

1. HOTA

HOTA Gold Coast
HOTA is a destination where art, entertainment, culture and lifestyle meet. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: A full day of creative exploration

Attracting the art appreciator with its brightly-hued facade that looks like a giant mosaic HOTA (Home of the Arts), is, with little argument, the top creative destination on the Gold Coast.

Embracing a range of art forms, from the visual and digital to cinematic and comedic, this space celebrates all mediums of expression. Come for an exhibition, stay for a movie, and enjoy dinner and a drink at the superb and loftily located onsite Palate Restaurant and The Exhibitionist Bar.

Apart from browsing galleries, you can busy yourself in the kids’ area, on the adventure trail and swimming in the Evandale Lake. There’s also an outdoor stage for night-time performances and a picturesque 130-metre bridge that leads to Chevron Island.

Opening hours: 10am–4pm every day

Address: 135 Bundall Road, Surfer’s Paradise

2. 19 Karen

a woman arranging art and paintings at 19 Karen, Gold Coast
Unearth contemporary art at 19 Karen. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Contemporary contemplations

Tucked behind the Gold Coast Highway in humming little Miami, 19 Karen is a treasure waiting to be unearthed by dilettantes of contemporary art. The large space opens up a world of fine art pieces that stir emotion and provoke thoughts.

Wander through these colourful studies of culture, community and humanity and enjoy absorbing everything from pop art to expressionism, surrealism and abstract styles.

Opening hours: Tuesday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday and Saturday 9am-2pm; by appointment Sunday and Monday.

Address: 19 Karen Ave, Mermaid Beach

3. Maverick Hair and Art Studio

a look inside Maverick Hair and Art Studio, Gold Coast
Maverick Hair and Art Studio is an award-winning hair salon and contemporary art space.

Best for: Artful cuts

Merging the perhaps unlikely disciplines of hairdressing and visual arts, Maverick Hair and Art Studio sits above the street in a lofty and bright space where local art decorates the walls.

Here, you can take in the works while waiting for your toner to set and your hair to be washed. Collaborating with artists, the studio selects collaborations based on originality and inclusion, so you’ll always find something uplifting to absorb.

Opening hours: Tuesday and Friday 8.30-5pm; Wednesday 8.30am-8pm; Thursday 8.30am-9pm

Address: First floor 1/17 Griffith St, Coolangatta

4. Dust Temple and SOFA Gallery

Best for: Coffee and a creative chat

A beacon of artful energy in an industrial setting, Dust Temple is a cafe and bar, art space and performance venue. You’ll find a rotating roster of exciting events, including a vintage clothing market, exhibitions, poetry, live music and charity events, such as Empty Bowls, which raises awareness for world hunger. Sit in the sun-drenched courtyard and enjoy breakfast or lunch alongside a serve of art appreciation.

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 6am-2pm; weekends 6.30am-2pm

Address: 54 Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin Waters

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5. Capanart Gallery

the exterior of Capanart Gallery, Gold Coast
Peruse and purchase Indigenous art at Capanart Gallery. (Image: Susan Capan)

Best for: Landscape loveliness

Artist and gallery director Susan Capan opened Capanart Gallery in the beautiful Mount Tamborine in 2009. As well as featuring her own works, Susan curates a collection of Australian art available to peruse and purchase, including Aboriginal art from central Australia. Any art enthusiast on a day trip out to the mountain should build a little time in their itinerary to drop in on Susan.

Opening hours: Friday to Tuesday 11am-4pm

Address: 2/110 Long Rd, Tamborine Mountain

6. Dave Groom Studio

one of the paintings of Dave Groom displayed at his studio
See Dave Groom’s paintings up close. (Image: Dave Groom)

Best for: An artful excursion

Add Dave Groom’s studio to your list if you’re meandering through Mount Tamborine for the day. While you’ll need to make an appointment to view Dave’s contemporary landscapes inspired by his surrounds on the edge of Lamington National Park, if you’re a fan of his detailed, almost mythical style, you’ll want to call ahead to see his paintings in person.

Opening hours: By appointment

Address: 671 Binna Burra Rd, Beechmont

7. Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre

Indigenous people on a Jellurgal Walkabout Tour
Immerse yourself in the Aboriginal culture of the Burleigh area. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Inspiring Indigenous works

Get along to Jellurgal for a deep and enthralling dive into the Aboriginal culture of the Burleigh area. Owned and operated by the local Indigenous community, visitors can experience culture on a walkabout tour and by appreciating the art on display in the onsite gallery.

Depicting Dreamtime stories and flora and flora native to the region, you’ll find a unique piece to commemorate your time on the Gold Coast.

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-4pm; Sundays 9am-1pm

Address: 1711 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads

8. Royal Queensland Art Society Gold Coast

the exterior of Royal Queensland Art Society Gold Coast
RQAS provides a space for local emerging artists to show their works.

Best for: Local inspiration

The volunteer-run RQAS is a space for local, emerging artists to show their works through a monthly schedule of themed and non-themed exhibitions. Get along for a browse and a cuppa at the cafe, and if you spot something you simply can’t leave hanging, you can purchase the work to take home. Should you feel the pull to pick up a brush, join one of the many classes, such as live drawing, expressive painting and watercolour.

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 9am-2.30pm; Weekends 8am-4pm

Address: 25 Broadbeach Boulevard, Broadbeach

9. Gallery One

paintings on the walls at Gallery One, Gold Coast
See the works of established and upcoming artists. (Image: Gallery One Team)

Best for: Australian curations

Head to Gallery One for a bright distillation of oceanside Aussie-style with a rotating exhibition calendar that heroes some of the country’s best established and upcoming artists. You’ll also encounter a handful of international artists scattered in the mix, too.

Wander in on any given month to muse over a collection from Ken Done, a themed exhibit of water scenes, Australian landscapes or deeply intricate works from Indigenous artist Goompi Ugerabah.

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm; Sundays 10.30am-4pm

Address: Shop 16.02 The Brickworks, 107 Ferry Rd, Southport

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10.  David Hart Gallery Marina Mirage

a look inside the David Hart Gallery Marina Mirage
David Hart Gallery showcases the works of Pro Hart’s son.

Best for: Fans of the Harts

The son of world-renowned artist Pro Hart, David Hart is, himself, a highly acclaimed artist both in Australia and internationally. With a dad like Pro, it’s little wonder David has been painting since he was 16 with his artworks finding their way into prominent private and corporate collections across the globe.

If you’re a devotee of the Harts, find your way to David’s gallery at Marina Mirage to ponder his latest works as well as pieces by his late father.

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm; by appointment on Sundays

Address: Ground floor, Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach

11.  The Hive

a look inside The Hive art gallery, Gold Coast
The Hive showcases a local artist collection.

Best for: Workshops and kids’ art classes

A collection of local artists grace the walls at The Hive, which you can make an appointment to appreciate. But perhaps the best way to enjoy this creative hub is by slipping on a smock and joining a workshop. Try your hand at fresco painting, life or still-life drawing, or send the kids along to get artsy in the holidays.

Opening hours: By appointment

Address: Suite 3, 5 Coghill Drive, Currumbin

12.  Dalozzo Art Gallery

the Dalozzo Art Gallery in Gold Coast
Dalozzo Art is the Gold Coast’s longest-running commercial gallery.

Best for: All styles and budgets

A family affair, Dalozzo Art is the Gold Coast’s longest-running commercial gallery. A trio of talent is on display here by husband and wife team, Lucette and Louis Dalozzo, and their daughter, Judith. You’ll find everything from original works to prints and reproductions at the family’s Marina Mirage gallery. Covering themes spanning landscapes to figures, still life and seascapes, there’s a lot to explore.

Opening hours: Every day 10am-4pm

Address: Ground floor, shop 43 Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach

13.  Mint Art House

a blurry image of a woman walking into an exhibit at Mint Art House, Gold Coast
Admire works by local artists across a range of mediums. (Image: Vasana)

Best for: Emerging talent

A collaborative space shared by 12 upcoming local artists across a range of mediums, including sculpting, murals, painting and ceramics, Mint Art House is overflowing with exuberance and talent, which you can check out during regular exhibitions.

Mint also hosts a range of artful events, such as open mic poetry and life drawing classes.

Opening hours: Varies

Address: Shed 5/87 West Burleigh Rd, Burleigh Heads

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Lara Picone
Working for many of Australia’s top publications, Lara Picone has had the distinct pleasure of writing, editing and curating content about the finer things in life for more than 15 years. Graduating from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, her editorial foundation began at Qantas: The Australian Way magazine, before moving on to learn the fast-paced ropes of a weekly magazine at Sunday Magazine and picking up the art of brand curation at donna hay magazine. Pivoting a near-problematic travel lust into a career move by combining it with storytelling and a curious appetite, her next role was as Deputy Editor of SBS Feast magazine and later Online Editor of SBS Food online. She then stepped into her dream job as Editor of Australian Traveller before becoming Online Editor for both International Traveller and Australian Traveller. Now as a freelancer, Lara always has her passport at-the-ready to take flight on assignment for the Australian Traveller team, as well as for publications such as Qantas Magazine, Escape and The Weekend Australian. As ever, her appetite is the first thing she packs.
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5 of the best Sunshine Coast day trips

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
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    City buzz, gourmet trails, surf breaks and art scenes are all at your fingertips.

    When it comes to planning a trip, picking a holiday destination is the easy part. The real dilemma is where to set yourself up for the night. Do you go coastal, city, or countryside? Somewhere remote and rugged, or right in the action? Luckily, the Sunshine Coast, and huge number of amazing Sunshine Coast day trips, have kindly made the choice for you.

    Ditch the hotel-hopping and suitcase-lugging. Instead, base yourself at Novotel Sunshine Coast or Mantra Mooloolaba, where big-city culture, vine-covered valleys, and theme parks are all within a two-hour drive.

    1. Sunshine Coast to Brisbane

    Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes (105km)

    Shake off the sand from your sandals and swap the beach for the throb of the Queensland capital. Ease in gently with a bougainvillea-filled stroll through South Bank, iced latte in hand, before cooling off at Streets Beach lagoon – Brisbane’s answer to the coast (but without the waves).

    Once firmly in big-city mode, hit up the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), home to Australia’s largest collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Dive into the past at the Queensland Museum, where prehistoric fossils of Australian dinosaurs and megafauna collide with First Nations cultural collections and interactive science exhibits.

    All this learning got you hungry? Howard Smith Wharves calls. Here, riverside dining delivers breweries with meat-forward menus, Japanese fine dining and overwater bars. If you’ve got room for more, Fortitude Valley’s shopping boutiques await you and your wallet.

    woman walking around Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)
    Wander the Gallery of Modern Art. (Image: TEQ)

    2. Sunshine Coast to the Scenic Rim

    Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (170km)

    Make your way inland to the Scenic Rim for the state’s best vineyards and age-old volcanic slopes. Start your day early (like, sparrow’s breakfast early) at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park. Here, take a treetop walk through the canopy and hand-feed the wild birds who flock here.

    Next, it’s your turn to eat. Here, the food scene operates where locally sourced produce is an expectation, not an exception. Order a picnic basket crammed with regional wine and cheese to devour next to the creek at Canungra Valley Vineyards. Or perhaps a grazing platter of vegan and non-vegan cheeses at Witches Falls Winery.

    Feeling bold? Tackle the Twin Falls circuit in Springbrook National Park. Or keep the gourmet life going with a Scenic Rim Brewery tasting paddle, best enjoyed while taking in the rise of the Great Dividing Range.

    woman with cheese and wine at Witches Falls Winery
    Enjoy a cheese platter at Witches Falls Winery. (Image: TEQ)

    3. Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast

    Drive time: 2 hours (180km)

    Surf, sand and sparkling skylines might be the Gold Coast’s MO, but there’s more to Surfers Paradise and beyond. Kick things off with a beachfront coffee at Burleigh Heads, then hike through Burleigh Head National Park to look over the ocean and whale sightings (dependent on the season, of course).

    Cool off in the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek before chowing down on the famously buttery Moreton Bay bug rolls at Rick Shores. Travelling with the kids? Then you can’t miss Australia’s theme park capital, with Dreamworld’s big rides and Warner Bros. Movie World’s Hollywood treatment at hand to keep the family entertained.

    aerial view of Tallebudgera Creek
    Dive into Tallebudgera Creek. (Image: TEQ)

    4. Sunshine Coast to Tweed Heads

    Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (200km)

    Dare to cross enemy lines? Then welcome to New South Wales. Tweed Heads blends the laid-back attitude of the Northern Rivers with high-quality dining, experimental art, and farm-fresh indulgence – a combo worth the drive.

    Start strong with a long, lazy brunch at Tweed River House, then swing by Tropical Fruit World for exotic finds like red dragon fruit, handfuls of lychees and black sapote. Next, hit M|Arts Precinct – an art deco hub of micro galleries, artist workshops and one-off boutiques.

    Round off the day with sunset drinks at Husk Distillers among the glowing cane fields, and order one with their famous Ink Gin. You’ll thank us later.

    exterior of Husk Distillers
    Taste the famous Ink Gin at Husk Distillers. (Image: Destination NSW)

    5. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

    Drive time: 1 hour (70km)

    Strap on those hiking boots and make tracks inland, where volcanic peaks, misty rainforest and hinterland townships beckon. Ease in with the Glass House Mountains Lookout Walk, or, if you have energy to burn, tackle the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk for a 360-degree sight of the surrounding summits.

    Next: Montville. This township delivers European-style architecture and old-world appeal. Nearby, settle in at Flame Hill Vineyard, where a large pour of estate-grown wine comes with encompassing views of the countryside.

    Not ready to leave the hinterland villages just yet? Of course not. Meander past art galleries and indie shops at Maleny. Nab some fudge from Sweets on Maple for a sweet fix. Or go salty at Maleny Dairies with a farm tour and a chunky wedge of their deliciously creamy cheese.

    End the day among the eucalypts and rainforests of Kondalilla National Park. Here, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit winds down through trees humming with life to a rock pool beneath a waterfall – as if designed for soaking tired feet before heading back to the coast.

    view of Mount Ngungun on the scenic rim queensland
    Take on the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk (Image: TEQ)

    Start planning your Sunshine home base at all.com.