Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia occupies a prime harbour corner, standing on the western side of Circular Quay at the edge of the Rocks, directly facing the Opera House across the cove. Known widely as the MCA, it is the country's leading institution dedicated solely to contemporary art, drawing on a permanent collection of Australian works alongside a rotating program of international exhibitions.

The building is part of the story. The museum inhabits the former Maritime Services Board building, a monumental sandstone-and-stucco Art Deco structure from the 1930s and 1950s, extended in 2012 with a bold, angular modern wing clad in pale panels. A rooftop cafe and sculpture terrace on the new wing give one of the finest free harbour panoramas in the city.

The collection leans local and current. Strong holdings of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art sit beside painting, photography, video and large-scale installation by living Australian and overseas artists. Exhibitions change frequently, and the museum runs an active schedule of talks, family programs and late-opening events.

Practical notes: the MCA is a short walk from Circular Quay station, ferries and light rail, and is fully step-free with lifts between levels. General entry to the permanent collection is free, with charges only for major ticketed exhibitions, making it easy to combine with a Rocks or harbour walk. The rooftop cafe is open to visitors without a ticket and is a rewarding stop for the view alone. Allow an hour or two, and check current exhibitions in advance, as the galleries rehang regularly. The museum's National Centre for Creative Learning runs an ambitious education program, and its shop is well regarded for design objects and art books, making it a rewarding stop even between major exhibitions.