Melbourne Museum

The basics

Centrally situated in Melbourne, the museum is easy to visit during a day of sightseeing. Several city tours, including bike tours and hop-on, hop-off buses, include a stop at the museum, with some offering optional entrance.

The museum features a Forest Gallery with trees and wildlife; the Melbourne Gallery, which tells the story of the city; the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre; an IMAX theater; the Science and Life Gallery; the Te Pasifika Gallery, dedicated to the Pacific Islands; and the Children’s Gallery. Temporary exhibits are diverse and thought-provoking, ranging from history to culture to scientific topics.

Things to know before you go

• The Melbourne Museum is a must for science and culture buffs, as well as those who want to learn more about Indigenous Australians and the history of Melbourne.

• The galleries and public spaces are accessible via elevators and ramps.

• Wheelchairs and scooters are available to use on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Bike racks are available just outside the museum.

• The museum has a gift shop and dining options on-site.

How to get there

The museum sits in Carlton Gardens just north of the Central Business District. It can be reached via tram from the Gertrude and Nicholson stop or city buses that stop along Rathdowne Street. The museum also has a paid parking lot.

When to get there

The museum is open daily, except for Good Friday and Christmas Day. There are talks, lectures, tours, and other events on a regular basis, including kid-friendly activities that coincide with Victoria's school holiday periods (typically in April, June to July, September to October, and December to January). Consider booking a museum tour before it opens to the public to explore the collection without the crowds.

Carlton Gardens

This Victorian-era park attracts locals and visitors with its picnic areas, grassy spaces, fountains, mini-lakes, and possible wildlife sightings such as brushtail possums. In addition to the Melbourne Museum, the other main attraction is the Royal Exhibition Building, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose 1880s architecture stands in stark contrast to the museum.