Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) - Archibald Prize Exhibition

The 2026 Archibald Exhibition is on display in Victoria from Saturday 5th September to Sunday 1st November. 

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 SAM (only site in Victoria) is an opportunity to see the finalists in the Archibald Prize 2026. Travel by public transport is recommended as the event will include walks to/from Shepparton Station.  Time to enjoy a pub lunch then a walk to the Museum for a 2PM entry (last entry is at 3 PM).

SAM traces its history back to 1936. The current purpose built complex, sitting opposite the man made Lake Victoria on the main north/south route in the city, was opened in 2021. SAM holds over 4,000 artworks, including one of the largest ceramic art collections in Australia.

GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 1 - Easy and Social, 4 km in total via multiple walks on sealed paths (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System). 

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Departing the train at Shepparton Station, we will walk some 7 minutes or 500 metres to the GV Hotel for lunch. Following lunch there will be a 22 minutes or 1.5 kms walk to SAM. The final walk will be via a different route of 20 minutes or 1.4 kms to Shepparton Railway Station to catch the final train back to Melbourne at 5:03 PM (arriving at Southern Cross at 7:39 PM). 

For 2026 there were 1,034 Archibald Prize entries from which 59 were selected for judgement and display. A total of 42 per cent of Archibald finalists were painted by first-time nominees. From the remainder, the S. H. Ervin Gallery at The Rocks in Sydney selected works for an alternative display called the Salon Des Refusés, which has existed since 1992.  

Archibald Prize 2026 is a timed-ticket exhibition, with entry at sixty-minute intervals on the hour until the last entry at 3pm. Adult entry is $24 (+47 cent fee), while Concession is $19 (+44 cent fee) (Humanitix system).  The Nomads booking will be scheduled for 2pm.

BOOKING: by Thursday 15th October or ASAP to ensure you don't miss out on getting tickets for the gallery! 

• Entry Tickets: Purchase your ticket for 2pm on Saturday 17 October via Humanitix Archibald Tickets
• Nomads: To register for the walk and lunch, click on Get Tickets.

Unsure if you've already booked with The Nomads? Click View my bookings.

FURTHER INFORMATION: SAM Information Page | NSW Art Gallery - 2026 Archibald 

MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 9:05am at Southern Cross Railway Station (for 09:16am 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.

MAP REFERENCE: Southern Cross Station - Google map: maps.app.goo.gl/uoapb4qq1C4nSNYb6.

DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: Shepparton 191 km, 2 hours 33 minutes by train or by car.

TRANSPORT: 

• Train: Southern Cross Railway Station, meet at the train, first carriage, North Melbourne end. Check monitors for platform and be wary of any last-minute platform changes.
• Train Return: Return train leaves Shepparton at 5:03 PM for the trip back to Southern Cross.
• Car: via Hume Freeway (M31) onto the Goulburn Valley Highway (M39) to Shepparton. Park at or near station. Make way to main waiting area inside the Station. Meet train that arrives at 12:09 PM.

FOOD: Pre gallery tour lunch (Seniors Meals available) at the GV Hotel Menu  223 High Street (corner of North Street).  Participants must register to join the group booking for this communal lunch.

APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Casual clothing, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, repellent and camera.

COST:

• Shepparton Art Museum: Adult $24 | Concession $19 |
• Trains: Myki money, Mastercard or Visa - weekend caps apply at $4 full; concession at $2 and Seniors FREE.

LEADER: 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.