Skip to main content
Menu

The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

Relaxed mornings

Access support for a visiting the Gallery before the general 10:00am opening time.

What are Relaxed Mornings?

Relaxed Mornings are for visitors with sensory sensitivities who prefer fewer people, less noise and stimulation. Relaxed Mornings from 9:00-10:00am and are free. At 10:00am the National Portrait Gallery, or NPG, will open to the public.

There will be some creative activities available during the session.

Can I join a Relaxed Morning?

Relaxed mornings are designed for:

  • People on the autism spectrum
  • People with sensory sensitivities
  • People with anxiety or other mental health conditions
  • People with other disabilities.

Visitors of any age can come to a Relaxed Morning.

How can I book?

I can book my ticket in different ways, including:

Where can I go if I need to take a break during my visit?

I can take a break any time in the quiet space outside the Liangis Theatre.

Liangis Theatre foyer
Liangis Theatre foyer

While using this quiet space I will:

  • Have my phone on silent
  • Talk quietly
  • Turn the volume low on my headphones

This is so that the quiet space is kept quiet for everyone to use.

Can I take my own headphones or ear plugs into gallery spaces?

There are some sensory items I can bring into the gallery spaces. These include:

  • Headphones
  • Ear plugs
  • Stim/fidget items. (Any stim/fidget items I bring need to be small or hand held. This helps keep them and other visitors safe, as well as the art.)

Are there any rules I need to follow during my visit?

Whenever I am at the NPG I help look after the art and myself by:

  • Keeping my distance from the art and not touching.
  • Eating or drinking only in the café, main hall, or outdoors.
  • Leaving any large items such as bags or umbrellas in the self-service lockers.
  • Always wearing footwear to protect myself from injury.
  • Supervising any children in my care.
  • Keeping Covid safe.

How do I keep Covid safe at the NPG?

  • I should visit when I am healthy and have no COVID symptoms.
  • I might see NPG, security staff and other visitors wearing masks.
  • I can wear a mask if I would like to.
  • I should keep a safe distance from staff and other visitors.
  • I will wash or sanitise my hands regularly.
  • I will follow current health advice.

Can I visit the Portrait Café and Curatoreum shop?

I can buy food and drink from the café. The café opens at 9:00am on Relaxed Mornings.

The Café
The Café

I can go to the Curatoreum (gift) shop which is open from 10:00am on Relaxed Mornings.

The Curatoreum
The Curatoreum

Is the NPG accessible if I use a wheelchair or have limited mobility?

All areas in the NPG are accessible if I use a wheelchair or have limited mobility.

I can borrow a wheelchair, walker or walking stick to use in the gallery spaces. These are available free from the Information Desk.

An example of the wheelchairs available at the Gallery
An example of the wheelchairs available at the Gallery

Where are the accessible toilets?

The NPG has two accessible toilets. Accessible toilets are marked on the NPG map. I can also ask NPG or security staff to help me find accessible toilets if I need.

Bathroom, toilets and a parents' room near the self-service lockers
Bathroom, toilets and a parents' room near the self-service lockers

There is a parents’ room at the NPG. The parents’ room has:

  • Baby change table
  • Toilet
  • Seating.

I am welcome to breastfeed at the NPG.

What time do Relaxed Mornings finish?

Relaxed Mornings finish at 10:00am. Afterwards I can stay in the NPG. The NPG will be busier from 10:00am when the building opens to general visitors.

Who can help if I have any questions?

I can ask the friendly NPG staff and security staff if I have any questions.

I can find staff at the Information Desk in the main Gordon Darling Hall and walking throughout the gallery spaces.

Staff at the information desk
Staff at the information desk

Where is the NPG?

I find the NPG on King Edward Terrace close to the High Court and National Gallery of Australia.

The National Portrait Gallery on the left and the High Court on the right
The National Portrait Gallery on the left and the High Court on the right

Where can I park?

The NPG has a car park underneath the building. You enter the car park from Parkes Place.

NPG underground car park map

The car park is open from 8:30am–5:30pm each day. Parking spaces for people with mobility difficulties are provided in the car park close to the public access lifts.

I will need to pay for parking.

Parking payment machines
Parking payment machines

However, if I have a disability parking permit I can park in the reserved parking bays. The reserved parking bays are close to the lifts to enter the NPG galleries. If I have a disability parking permit I can bring my parking ticket to the Information Desk for free parking.

How do I get to the NPG by public transport?

I can catch an ACTION bus.

I can find the latest bus timetable information on the ACTION buses website or on Google Transit.

I would like more information

If I need more information I can contact the NPG by calling (02) 6102 7070 or emailing bookings@npg.gov.au

I can ask about activities at the NPG or talk to a staff member about my individual needs.

I can find more information about accessibility at the NPG on the access page.

I want to give feedback

I can use the following ways to give the NPG feedback.

© National Portrait Gallery 2024
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia

Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196

The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency