New Dining, Galleries, Museums and Music across Australia in 2023

While not traditionally famous as an art-connoisseur’s mecca, Australia is home to a feast for all the creative senses this year, with multiple gallery openings, new museum exhibitions, live music performances and experience-driven bar/restaurant openings.

There’s something new for everyone to appreciate this year in Australia, from culinary arts to musical performances and visual arts galore, 2023 is the year to give new meaning to the term “escape artist.”

Some escapes to consider…

Australian Capital Territory

New Exhibition Celebrating Power and Diversity of Female Spiritual Beings at the National Museum of Australia – Canberra

• Canberra’s National Museum of Australia launched the exhibition “Feared and Revered: Feminine Power through the Ages” this month. Spanning six continents and 5,000 years, the exhibition explores how goddesses, demons, witches, spirits and saints have shaped our understanding of the world, presenting a fascinating range of monumental sculpture, sacred artifacts and contemporary artworks, alongside Australian Indigenous representations of female ancestral figures and embodiments of the divine. The exhibition opened on December 8, 2022 and will be on show until August 27.

Blue Eyes Bar & Lounge opens in Canberra

• Inspired by the soulful songs of Frank Sinatra and old Hollywood bars, Blue Eyes’ opulent atmosphere will transport patrons to the glitz and glamour of the golden ages with plush velvet curtains, glittering chandeliers, intimate booths and a mini stage for live music. The lavish decor and interior are complemented by a curated menu of oysters, charcuterie, caviar and expertly crafted signature cocktails. Blue Eyes Bar & Lounge opened November 2022 as a can’t-miss addition to Canberra’s nightlife scene.

New South Wales

New Building Grand Opening at the Art Gallery of NSW – Sydney

• Positioned on Sydney Harbour, The Art Gallery of New South Wales has opened its new SANAA-designed building. In honor of the grand opening, the museum has nine days of art, music, performance and talks across December including Grammy-nominated international artist Ellie Goulding, alongside Meg Mac and Electric Fields, headlining the Art for All concert on December 10, 2022. The new building also brought new on-site restaurants, from renowned Australian chefs Matt Moran and Clayton Wells as well as Indigenous Elder Aunty Beryl Van-Oploo.

Western Australia

Björk Headlining Perth Festival in 2023 – Perth

• Iconic musician, Björk, is set to headline Western Australia’s premier cultural event, Perth Festival, as it celebrates its 70^th year in 2023. The Perth Festival 2023 program features world-class performance, music, visual arts and literary events running from February 10 until March 5.

Renowned Sculpture Artist Thomas Dambo Unveils New Exhibit, Giants of Mandurah – Mandurah

• Less than an hour’s drive from Perth, Western Australia’s Peel region is now home to the Giants of Mandurah, a spectacular free exhibition crafted by world-renowned Danish sculpture artist, Thomas Dambo. The larger-than-life sculptures have been built in secret locations throughout Mandurah and the Peel region – plus an additional one in Subiaco – and are waiting for explorers of all ages and abilities to find them on this interactive sculpture trail.

Tasmania

OMOTENASHI opens in Hobart

• An elegant and intimate new fine dining experience, Omotenashi opened in October 2022 in Hobart’s city center. Each night at Omotenashi Hobart offers only 12 guests a set menu of 12 dishes with matched alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. The menu and immersive experience showcase the abundance of high-quality produce in Tasmania year-round. The formally trained team of chefs swap roles throughout each service between cooking, serving and storytelling.

Multiple Locations

New NFT Art Experience by Pullman Hotels – Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane

• Pullman Hotels across Australia are hosting an immersive NFT (Non-Fungible Token) art exhibition. Digital E/SCAPES by Pullman, is a traveling exhibition featuring four emerging and Indigenous female artists from Australia and overseas. The life-size digital art showcase runs from November 14, 2022 through March 27, 2023.

You can find a comprehensive guide to the arts and cultural experiences in Australia here: https://www.australia.com/en-us/things-to-do/arts-and-culture.html