Trace the history of Melbourne and discover more about Victoria’s indigenous people, its flora and its fauna at one of the city’s most popular visitor attractions. With its comprehensive permanent displays and wide-ranging programme of temporary exhibitions, there’s always something fascinating to learn.
Melbourne Museum is split into eight galleries arranged over three levels. Whether you opt to take a guided tour or prefer to plan your own itinerary, you’ll be spoilt for choice. In the Melbourne Gallery you can trace the city’s history through over 1,200 objects representing important milestones – be sure not to miss the Phar Lap display this legendary racehorse's record-breaking wins brought a smile to punters in Depression-era Australia and this remains one of the museum’s best-loved exhibits.
Discover more about the natural environment of Victoria in the Forest Gallery, before heading to the popular Koori Voices exhibit on the ground floor to explore the rich heritage of the state’s First Peoples. In the Mind and Body Gallery you can find out about the workings of the human body, while the Science and Life Gallery allows you a privileged glimpse of the geology and biology of our planet, including the chance to walk through the skeleton of a Blue Whale.
The interactive Children’s Gallery will keep the little ones occupied for hours on end, while the IMAX theatre on the lower floor offers a chance to sit back and relax with one of the latest films or an informative documentary.
Before you visit the souvenir shop or enjoy a snack from the on-site café, check out the programme of temporary exhibitions on subjects as diverse as industrial design, aboriginal artifacts, photography and art. The museum also hosts a series of talks and lectures on a variety of topics, while the Discovery Centre offers free facilities for more extensive individual research.
The Melbourne Museum is located to the north of the city centre, in Carlton Gardens opposite the Royal Exhibition Building. It’s an easy walk, and there are plenty of public transport links as well as an on-site car park. The museum is open daily except for Good Friday and Christmas Day and there is a charge for entry.
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Reviews of Melbourne Museum
5/5 - Excellent
Spare a good 2.5 - 3 hours for this. It's a fantastic museum.
5/5 - Excellent
Great place to visit, lots of things to look at. Just make sure you leave enough time. We were there for 3+ hours and could have stayed another hour or 2, but it was closing time when we left.
3/5 - Okay
Big building with amazing amount of wasted expensive space
4/5 - Good
Excellent little restaurants just a stones throw away on Little Collins Street & Liverpool st.
5/5 - Excellent
REvolution - Records and Rebels exhibit was fantastic
5/5 - Excellent
Get there early too find a park close by to avoid excessive parking costs
Popular places to visit
Royal Exhibition Building
Learn about the local history of Melbourne when you take a trip to Royal Exhibition Building. Amble around this vibrant area's picturesque gardens and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.
Carlton Gardens
Spend a peaceful moment by a water fountain, relax under a fig tree or visit historic Melbourne institutions in this charming central parkland.
Lygon Street
Feast on the best pasta and pizza outside Italy in Melbourne’s atmospheric Italian quarter.
Brunswick Street
During your trip to Melbourne, you can enjoy retail therapy at Brunswick Street. Wander around the gardens or enjoy the area's bars.
Old Melbourne Gaol
Visit the place where infamous outlaw Ned Kelly was executed and learn about the brutal system of law and order a century ago.
Princess Theatre
Spend an evening enjoying a meal, watching a dramatic performance and looking for the friendly in-house ghost at this majestic Melbourne theatre.
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