Geelong Art Gallery - Archibald Prize Exhibition

The annual Archibald Prize is eagerly anticipated by artists and audiences alike. Judged by the trustees of the Art Gallery of NSW, the prize is awarded to the best portrait painting. Since 1921, it has highlighted figures from all walks of life, from famous faces to local heroes, reflecting back to us the stories of our times.

This touring exhibition at the Geelong Gallery (only site in Victoria) is an opportunity to see the finalists in the Archibald Prize 2025. Travel by public transport is recommended as the event will include a scenic walk from North Geelong Station via Corio Bay to enjoy a pub lunch then an easy short walk to the Gallery for a 2 PM entry.
GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 1 - Easy and Social, 6km point-to-point walks (X 2) on sealed paths (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System) . 
MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 09:40am at Southern Cross Railway Station (for 09:50am departure) or at stations en route.  We will travel in the front carriage.  Check monitors for the allocated platform.  Be wary of last-minute platform changes.
DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: Geelong 72km, 60 minutes by train.
TRANSPORT: 

• Train: Southern Cross Railway Station, at the train, first carriage, North Melbourne end.  Check monitors for platform and be wary of any last-minute platform changes.
• Car: via Princes Freeway (M1) to Geelong.  Park at or near station.  Make way to main waiting area inside the Station.  Meet train at 10:47am.

FOOD: Pre gallery tour lunch at the Sporting Globe Bar and Grill, 175-177 Ryrie Street (corner of Union Street).  Participants must register to join the group booking for this communal lunch.
APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Casual clothing, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, repellent and camera.
COST: Myki money (no paper tickets) - weekend caps apply at $7:60; while concession and Seniors at $3:80.
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION:
Departing the train at North Geelong Station, will walk cross the Princes Highway and continue through suburban Rippleside to enter the paths along the Western Beach section of Corio Bay. Upon reaching Cunningham Pier the walk will continue into the CBD for the lunch venue. 
For 2025 there were 903 entries from which 57 were selected for judgement and display. For the first time, there are more finalist works by women artists than men. From the remainder, the S. H. Ervin Gallery at The Rocks in Sydney selected a further 32 works for an alternative display called the Salon Des Refusés, which has existed since 1992.  

Archibald Prize 2025 is a timed-ticket exhibition, with entry at sixty-minute intervals on the hour until the last entry at 4pm.  Adult entry is $24, while Concession is $20.  Group bookings of 10+ attract a price of $22 per person via the Gallery website plus a booking fee (TryBooking system).  The Nomads booking will be scheduled for 2pm.

At the conclusion of lunch its a short walk to the Gallery for the exhibition. NOTE: Backpacks, umbrellas of all sizes and large bags are not permitted within any Gallery room. You can cloak these items at the Visitor Services desk. Return trains leave Geelong every 20 minutes (:15 + :35 + :55 cycle plus an express train at 17:45) for the trip back to Southern Cross.  

FURTHER INFORMATION: Geelong Gallery  Vline. Sporting Globe

LEADER | BOOKING: by Thursday 30th October. Garry Oliver. | Email LeaderGarryO@nomads.org.au if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.