5 Melbourne Museums That Are Actually Worth Visiting

If you’re flying to Australia anytime soon, Melbourne is a good place to start your trip! Apart from nature experiences and shopping at markets, Melbourne is actually an ideal destination for art. There are so many Melbourne museums that are definitely worth your time and a spot in your itinerary. They have historical, cultural, and artistic museums that will suit any traveler’s palette. But hey, if you only have time to visit a limited number of museums, we’ve curated this list of Melbourne museums that you should prioritize.

And hey, if you want to spend less and experience more, consider getting a Klook Pass Melbourne, where you can visit 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 Skydeck, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, Monopoly Dreams Experience, and many more!

We’re starting off strong with one of the top museums in the Southern Hemisphere, the Melbourne Museum! They have several ongoing exhibits that both locals and travelers will enjoy. One exhibition is Our Wondrous Planet, which is home to many different animals (about 800 of them) from around the world. You can go face-to-face with animals here in their ecosystems, perfect for families and even friend groups. This multisensory gallery has large immersive art pieces, interactive displays, and even stories from First Peoples members gathered from different parts of the world.

They also have the Research Institute Gallery exhibition, which is a collection of gathered data and research on new discoveries and significant collectibles on display for the very first time. This is perfect for students and adults who are ever curious about the world, especially if you have questions like, “What lies in the depths of the sea?” or “Is extinction forever?”

Another exhibition is the River Connections—Learning Lab. Here, you’ll journey into the life of Victoria’s river environments. The learning lab is going to take you on an immersive experience created in collaboration with First Peoples community members, exploring their connections to the land, animals, plants, and rivers of Victoria.

And hey, if you ever get hungry after walking around and interacting with the exhibits and installations, they have cafes and restaurants such as the Star Wars Galactic Cafe, Mercury Restaurant, Museum Market Cafe, and more! True enough, this is one of the best Melbourne museums that you have to visit.

To see both local and international art pieces, head to the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne. They have both ticketed and free exhibitions here, so if you’re on a budget, you can opt to visit the free areas to see several artworks. One exhibit is the National Gallery of Victoria Travelling Scholarship, home to the works of many different Australian artists. Some must-see pieces here include Friendly Critics (1907) and Sketchbook (1932). There is more to see, like paintings and even photographs.

There’s also The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art exhibit, where you can admire art that reveals the history of creativity during the arrival of the Europeans, and different styles too, like neon, sound, video, and more. There are over 200 works from over 130 artists on display at this exhibit, so take your time and just appreciate the beauty that surrounds you. Expect to see some artworks here like Anwerlarr Anganenty (Big Yam Dreaming) (1995), Kulama (2012), The Landing (2018), OA WARRIOR I (pink) (2020), and Big Pintupi Dreaming Ceremony (1972).

The International Art exhibit is also one that should not be missed. Here, you’ll be shocked to see over 70,000 art pieces spanning thousands of years, from ancient to contemporary art. Some of the collection’s highlights include The Banquet of Cleopatra (1743–1744), Trilogy of the Desert: Mirage (1946), Césarine de Houdetot, Baronne de Barante, Reading Paul et Virginie (1818), Ntozakhe II (Parktown) (2016), and Weeping Woman (1937).

The Heide Museum of Modern Art honors the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Owners of the land and waters on which the art museum and sculpture park are located.

The museum has 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. This Melbourne museum is perfect for art lovers as well as history enthusiasts. And of course, before leaving, feel free to drop by the souvenir store to get yourself a little gift to commemorate your visit.

The Australian Sports Museum is one of the best Melbourne museums for families! Here, you’ll get to enjoy an immersive experience of sporting history as well as dive deeper into the diverse sport culture of Australia. Expect to see over 95 sports at this museum, such as football, horse racing, cricket, and more.

During your visit, you simply can’t miss out on the 1956 Olympic Cauldron and the crowd-favorite interactive installation, the Game On Gallery. At the Game On Gallery, you can try and play different sports like surfing, rock climbing, and cycling. Another gallery is the Australian Football Gallery, where you can go behind the scenes and see the story of Australian football, from triumphs to even disappointments.

Some other galleries to visit at the museum are the Sporting Nation Gallery, Cricket Gallery, Olympic Gallery, Horse Racing Gallery, and many more!

Step into the Hellenic Museum to see many artifacts from ancient Greece, as well as contemporary art exhibitions. They also have advanced technology here, including an AI-based exhibit.

While the museum itself is already worth a visit, the historic building in which the museum is located makes the experience even better. The Hellenic Museum resides in the former Royal Melbourne Mint building, which continues to be significant because of its many uses back in the 1800s. It used to be a place for holding public cricket matches, dance performances, bazaars, and even served as police barracks. Just the building where the museum can be found is already worth the time and a spot in your itinerary.

But going back to the museum, get ready to explore many exhibitions of different types, like international and interactive. Don’t miss out on these exhibits during your visit: The Oracle by the Melbourne-based collective Sandpit, Faces + Masks by Nikos Vavdinoudis, ONEIROI by Bill Henson, Memento Mori by Steven Nuttall, Well Behaved Women by Loretta Lizzio, and many more.

Now that you know the top Melbourne museums to add to your itinerary and what to expect from each one, all you need to do is pre-book your tickets and experience the best of Australia! Remember to take your camera and loved ones with you for the best experience. Happy and safe travels!

Top-rated Melbourne museums by locals include the Melbourne Museum, the National Gallery of Victoria, and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image.

Yes, Melbourne has some free entry museums, such as the National Gallery of Victoria and many of its permanent collections at the Ian Potter Centre. Access is generally free for permanent collections, but please note that special or temporary exhibitions may require a ticket or fee.

If you’re pressed for time, at least two to three hours should be enough for a major museum in Melbourne, but a full day is best to explore the entire collection thoroughly.

Yes, of course! Melbourne museums that are particularly good for kids or families include the Melbourne Museum, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Australian Sports Museum, and many more.

Yes, you should buy skip-the-line tickets for some Melbourne museums during peak season to save time and for convenience.