Melbourne has one of the most impressive museum scenes in Australia. Whether you're into art, history, science, sport, or film, there's something here for every traveler. Explore on foot (or by tram) and check out galleries holding global art, natural history displays, and unique media experiences. Read on for 8 standout museums and what you can expect from each one.
And hey, if you want to spend less and experience more, consider getting a Klook Pass Melbourne, where you can enjoy over five activities with just one ticket! You won’t only get to go to Melbourne museums; you’ll also get to see other attractions, such as Sovereign Hill, Werribee Open Range Zoo, Melbourne Sky Deck, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, Monopoly Dreams Experience, and many more!
1. National Gallery of Victoria
The famous stained glass ceiling of the National Gallery of Victoria / Photo credit: Mitchell Luo on Unsplash
The National Gallery of Victoria, also known as the NGV or Melbourne National Gallery, is one of Australia's oldest and most visited art museums. Its international collection is housed at NGV International on St. Kilda Road, while Australian art lives at The Ian Potter Centre in Federation Square.
NGV International’s collection spans thousands of years and dozens of cultures, with works ranging from ancient Egyptian artifacts to European paintings and contemporary design. Some highlights include The Banquet of Cleopatra (1743–1744), Trilogy of the Desert: Mirage (1946), Ntozakhe II (Parktown) (2016), and Weeping Woman (1937).
The Great Hall alone is worth the trip; its stained glass ceiling by Leonard French is one of the most recognizable sights in the building. And a big perk you can look forward to? Entry to the permanent collection is free. There are also ticketed exhibitions that run throughout the year, and these tend to draw significant crowds, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Location: 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne (Map)
Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, daily (except holidays)
Entry: Free (permanent collection); ticketed for special exhibitions
2. Melbourne Museum
See dinosaurs brought to life at Melbourne Museum’s Dinosaur Walk exhibition.
Located in Carlton, right next to the Royal Exhibition Building (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Melbourne Museum is one of the largest museums in the Southern Hemisphere. It covers natural history, science, the environment, and Victorian culture across multiple floors.
A few highlights worth seeking out: the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, which presents the stories and cultures of the First Peoples of Victoria; the Forest Gallery, a living indoor rainforest filled with real plants and wildlife; and Phar Lap's heart, a permanent fixture that tends to stop people in their tracks.
Melbourne Museum is a great option if you’re planning to travel with your family! There's plenty to keep kids engaged, and the Discovery Centre lets younger visitors handle real specimens and artifacts.
Location: 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton (Map)
Opening Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, daily (Check out their website, as schedules can vary)
Entry: Ticketed (free for children under 16)
3. Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI)
The facade of the Australian Centre for the Moving Image / Photo credit: Bidgee on Wikimedia Commons
ACMI sits in the heart of Federation Square and is dedicated to film, television, video games, and digital culture. After a major redevelopment completed in 2021, it's now one of the most technologically immersive museum experiences in the country.
Enjoy free entry to the permanent exhibition, The Story of the Moving Image, which takes you through the history of screen culture from early cinema to the rise of the internet and beyond. It's interactive throughout, allowing you to compose music for a silent film and step into game environments.
ACMI also runs a strong program of film screenings, events, and temporary exhibitions, which are mostly ticketed.
Location: Federation Square, Melbourne (Map)
Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, daily (except holidays)
Entry: Free (permanent exhibition); ticketed for special programs
4. Heide Museum of Modern Art
The Heide Museum is home to both modern and contemporary art / Photo from Rory Hyde on Wikimedia Commons
The Heide Museum of Modern Art honors the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. Located in Bulleen, it’s about 16 kilometers from the CBD and combines modern and contemporary Australian art with beautiful sculpture gardens and three separate gallery spaces.
You can explore multiple exhibits like Face Everything by artist Nell, And I Would Say These Things To No One But You by artist Maria Kontis, and Song of the Earth 1968-2020 by artist John Nixon. There are also programs and events like art sessions, history tours, tai chi classes, and many more.
It's worth spending two to three hours at Heide, especially if the weather's good and you want to walk around the museum at your own pace.
Location: 7 Templestowe Road, Bulleen (Map)
Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (Tuesdays to Fridays), 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (Saturdays & Sundays), closed on Mondays
Entry: Ticketed (children under five are free)
5. Scienceworks Melbourne
Visitors heading to the Scienceworks Museum in Melbourne
Scienceworks is a hands-on science museum in Spotswood, run by Museums Victoria. It's primarily aimed at children and families, but there's enough here to keep adults genuinely entertained too.
You’ll find interactive exhibits throughout the museum covering topics like sport science, technology, the human body, and the natural world. The planetarium runs a range of shows throughout the day, and the dome screen experience is impressive regardless of your age.
Location: 2 Booker Street, Spotswood (Map)
Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 4:30 pm, daily except for Fridays and holidays
Entry: Ticketed; additional charge for Planetarium shows
6. Australian Sports Museum
The grand entry to the Australian Sports Museum
Located inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the Australian Sports Museum is the largest in Australia. It covers the country's sporting history across a huge range of disciplines, including cricket, tennis, boxing, swimming, cycling, and more.
During your MCG tour, you can’t miss out on the 1956 Olympic Cauldron and the crowd-favorite interactive installation, the Game On Gallery. At this installation, you can try and play different sports like surfing, rock climbing, and cycling. Another must-see is the Australian Football Gallery, where you can go behind the scenes and learn the story of Australian football.
The collection also includes a lot of memorable artifacts: Cathy Freeman's gold medal-winning bodysuit from the 2000 Sydney Olympics; the baggy green caps of legendary Australian cricketers; and Don Bradman's personal kit, among them.
Location: MCG, Yarra Park, Melbourne (Map)
Opening Hours: Check out their website, as schedules can vary
Entry: Ticketed; combination tickets available with MCG tour
Klook tip: You can also add an MCG stadium tour to your visit, which takes you through the change rooms, members' areas, and out onto the ground itself.
7. Hellenic Museum Melbourne
The Hellenic Museum allows you a peek into Greek art and heritage / Photo from GordonMakryllos on Wikimedia Commons
The Hellenic Museum is the only institution in Australia dedicated to Greek and Cypriot culture and heritage. It's housed in the former Royal Mint building in the CBD, a beautiful 19th-century structure that used to hold public cricket matches, dance performances, bazaars, and even served as police barracks in the 1800s.
The permanent collection explores the history of Greek migration to Australia and the broader story of Hellenic civilization, from ancient Greece to the modern era. Some collections to check out include the Mary and Peter Mitrakas Collection of Cypriot Antiquities, the Koumountatakis Family Collection, and Byzantine icons.
Location: 280 William Street, Melbourne (Map)
Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, daily
Entry: Ticketed
8. Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA)
ACCA’s iconic rust-red steel building / Photo credit: Robi882002 on Wikimedia Commons
ACCA is one of Australia's most respected contemporary art spaces. Located in Southbank, it sits in a striking rust-red Cor-Ten steel building and focuses exclusively on new and experimental work. A cool thing about this museum is that it has no permanent collection, just a constantly rotating program of ambitious exhibitions.
You'll find large-scale installations, video art, performance-based work, and pieces that don't fit neatly into any category. If you want to learn more about the art featured here, ACCA also runs regular talks, events, and artist programs.
Location: 111 Sturt Street, Southbank (Map)
Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (Tuesdays to Fridays), 11:00 am to 5:00 pm (Saturdays & Sundays), Mondays by appointment only
Entry: Free
FAQs
What's the most popular museum in Melbourne?
The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is the most visited museum in Melbourne and the most visited art museum in Australia. Its permanent collection is free to access, and its ticketed exhibitions regularly draw large audiences from across the country.
Which museums are free in Melbourne?
Several of Melbourne's best museums offer free entry to their permanent collections:
- NGV International: free permanent collection
- ACMI: free permanent exhibition
- ACCA: always free
Melbourne Museum offers free entry for children under 16 when accompanied by a paying adult.
What not to miss in Melbourne?
Beyond the museums, here are a few things worth making time for in Melbourne: Federation Square and the surrounding arts precinct, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the laneways and street art of the CBD, Queen Victoria Market, the Yarra River and its walking trails, and a tram ride along St Kilda Road or down to the beach.
What are three famous places to visit in Melbourne?
Three of the most well-known attractions in Melbourne are the National Gallery of Victoria, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and Federation Square. Each draws significant visitor numbers and is closely tied to the city's identity.
How do I spend a day in Melbourne?
A good one-day approach is to start in Federation Square. ACMI and the Ian Potter Centre are both there, so you can spend a couple of hours between them. Walk along the Yarra to Southbank for lunch, then visit ACCA or the NGV in the afternoon. End the day in the CBD laneways or head out to St Kilda for dinner by the water.
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Klook is a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, purpose built to digitalize experiences and make them accessible to every traveler.
Our mission is to build the digital infrastructure for the global experience economy — empowering merchants to share their passions and travelers to discover the heartbeat of each destination. We operate a mobile-first, curated platform featuring diverse experiences across global destinations.
