cairns art galleries

The Cairns region is full of artists of all types, professional artists, commercial artists, talented amateurs and those who just want to be artists. The centre of Cairns has a number of excellent galleries and visitors are sure to find something to suit just about all tastes.

cairns regional gallery

Far north Queensland’s only visual art museum, Cairns Regional Gallery is home to an established collection of local and Australian art with an emphasis on regional indigenous works. Set in an historic building, the gallery has three floors of exhibition space and an excellent shop full of gifts and homewares. Exhibitions change monthly and the gallery also shows travelling exhibitions from around the country. Cairns Regional Gallery is open from 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and from 1pm to 5pm on Sunday. Entry costs $5 and children under 16 are free.

kickarts gallery

Located in the Centre for Contemporary Arts on Abbott St in Cairns and notable for the massive jelly babies decorating the front, KickArts Gallery is a community arts collective specialising in contemporary art. There are always a number of exhibitions of local artists’ work and periodically travelling collections from around Australia. As not-for-profit organisation the bulk of their income comes from selling artworks and their quirky shop full of hand-crafted items is popular with visitors and locals alike for unique gift ideas. Entry into the galleries is free and it is ope from 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Saturday except for public holidays.

jungara aboriginal art gallery

Located on the Cairns Esplanade, the Jungara gallery features indigenous art and cultural pieces. All works are for sale and there are some spectacular pieces from across the country including the works of Clifford Possum, Max Mansell, Ronnie Tjampitjinpa, Walala Tjapaltjarri and William Jungala King. All the works are for sale as this is also a shop. There are didgeridoos, baskets, boomerangs and weavings also available. The gallery is free to enter and open daily from 10am until late.

tanks arts centre

Located in historical oil tanks, the eponymous Tanks Art Centre combines a gallery space with performance spaces. The shows range from local children’s work to touring exhibitions and are generally of the contemporary genre. Recently undergoing an extensive remodelling and refurbishment, Tanks Art Centre is right next to the Cairns Botanic Gardens on Collins Avenue in Edge Hill only minutes from the Cairns city. Entry is free and some works are for sale.

gallery 53

Right in the centre of Cairns on Spence St, Gallery 53 represents a number of award-winning local artists covering genres from landscapes to contemporary pieces. They hold regular exhibitions and most works are for sale. Artists regularly exhibited include Barbara Mundraby, Cheryl Howell, Deb Gillett, Di Sant, Dusty Bob Prickett, Edward Koumans, George Wagner, Hayley Gillespie and Ingrid Turner. The gallery can organise to have pieces sent around Australia and overseas. Part of the gallery is a framing studio that can frame their own or other works.

landmark gallery in the bolands centre

Located in one of Cairns’ historic buildings, the Landmark Gallery specialises in Australian fine art including renowned artists like Dean Vella – their resident artist – Pro Hart, Percy Trezise, Chris Pantano, Palla Jeroff and Serge Cherup. Works tend towards classic landscapes and modern art.

Image supplied by Tourism Queensland, Australia

peter jarver gallery

One of Australia’s most renowned photographers, Peter Jarver is a self-taught photographer who loved the Australian landscape. His unique skyscape images are particularly sought after and his landscape photography has a particular style to it. Since his death in 2003, the gallery has grudgingly released limited edition prints of some of Jarver’s most sought-after works. However, posters are also available at a more reasonable cost.

helen wiltshire galleries

There are two galleries in the Cairns region – one in Palm Cove just north of Cairns and the other in Mission Beach a couple of hours south of the Cairns city. Helen Wiltshire’s works have a distinctive tropical edge and the galleries also carry works by other local artists. The galleries also display jewellery by Liz Gallie, works on canvas by Diana Crooke and paintings from Ed Koumans, Julie Poulsen and Angie Denahy. These artists are all local and have a particularly north Queensland feel. Works are for sale and can be posted around Australia or overseas. Entry is free.

bilby gallery, port douglas

This gallery in Port Douglas, about an hour north of Cairns, specialises in authentic Aboriginal artworks and artefacts. Located in the village’s main street, this is just one of the many galleries in Port Douglas. All the works are for sale and can posted around the world. Entry is free.

bundarra gallery

Also located in Macrossan St in Port Douglas, Bundarra Gallery specialises in both traditional and contemporary Aboriginal art work. Objects include paintings, didgeridoos, glass and ceramic work, carvings, weavings and jewellery. Many of the works are by local artists and all are for sale. Art can be posted around the world and entry to the gallery is free.

daintree timber gallery

This is a unique combination of Timber Museum and art gallery that features local timbers carved and worked by local artists into useful and decorative objects. Well worth a visit for lovers of wood or if you happen to be in the area. Located in Daintree Village, the gallery is open daily and all works are for sale. The gallery can also organise to send the works around Australia or overseas; some pieces are quite large. The museum contains examples of the tools used by Europeans during their expansion into the Daintree area in the 1880s. Entry is free.