Melbourne’s Best Museums and Galleries Guide

Melbourne is a city bursting with culture. Thanks to its fascinating history, diverse communities, and natural abundance, it is a place that inspires and preserves creativity. With its myriad museums and galleries, you can discover what makes Melbourne, and Australia, tick.

Whether you want to delve into the city’s heritage or admire avant-garde artworks, there’s no shortage of exhibitions that will inform and captivate. But if you’re not sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place.

The team at Show Me Melbourne know this city like the back of our hands, as we offer a range of Melbourne Day Tours and Private Tours in Melbourne. We’ve created this guide to Melbourne’s best museums and galleries to help you find what’s to your taste. Keep reading to find out more, or feel free to contact us about our tours!

Best Museums in Melbourne

History Museums in Melbourne

  • Old Melbourne GaolSince it was opened in 1845, the Old Melbourne Gaol has struck fear into people’s hearts. Once a prison for some of the most dangerous criminals, today it’s a museum that will still send chills up your spine. You can complete a self-guided tour and learn about some of the most notorious prisoners and life inside the jail, or you can join a nighttime tour for a journey into its haunted history…

    Address: 377 Russell St, Melbourne

  • Australian Sports MuseumAustralian sports history is legendary, and you can discover it for yourself at the Australian Sports Museum! Located in the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, the museum celebrates Australia’s sporting heroes, historic moments, and tales from the field. Better yet, you can get playing too at the Game On section!

    If you’re a big sports fan, then you’ll certainly be interested in our Sports Lovers Walking Tour, where we tour the MCG and visit the headquarters of major sports teams!

    Address: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Brunton Ave, East Melbourne

  • Old Treasury Building MuseumOne of Melbourne’s most beautiful buildings is today a museum dedicated to the history of Melbourne, with exhibitions focusing on everything from the growth of the city to the gold rush.

    The Old Treasury Building is also the home to the original gold vaults, where gold bullion was kept during the rush! You can visit the museum for free to have an insightful look into Melbourne's heritage. The Old Treasury Building is also a stop on our Essential Melbourne Walking Tour, where we explore some of the most iconic attractions.

    Address: 20 Spring St, East Melbourne

Melbourne Science and Engineering Museums

  • Melbourne Tram MuseumMelbourne is the only city in Australia that uses trams, and it has done so since the 1880s! At the Melbourne Tram Museum, you can admire some of the older trams that have been beautifully restored and learn more about how the tram system influenced the development of the city.

    Address: 8 Wallen Rd, Hawthorn

  • Moorabbin Air MuseumDo you want to be a pilot for the day? At the Moorabbin Air Museum, you can! This museum is home to over 25 aircraft, including a Boeing and helicopters. The best part is that you can actually get inside the craft and sit in the pilot’s seat! While you’re here, you can also see impressive engines and artefacts related to aviation history.

    Address: 12 First St, Moorabbin Airport
  • ScienceworksScienceworks is the perfect museum for the whole family to enjoy. With its numerous interactive exhibits, Scienceworks gets kids of all ages interested in STEM fields. Some notable highlights include the Great Melbourne Telescope, the Melbourne Planetarium, and the Lightning Theatre, where you can see the Tesla Coil in action!

    Address: 2 Booker St, Spotswood

  • Melbourne MuseumThe Melbourne Museum is arguably the most popular museum in the city. It exhibits everything from culture to science. However, its biggest draw is its dinosaur displays and forest gallery, taking you back in time and around the world!

    Address: 11 Nicholson St, Carlton

Cultural Museums in Melbourne

  • Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural CentreThe Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre is located within the Melbourne Museum and celebrates the heritage of Aboriginal people. With exhibitions featuring Koorie artists, the stories of community members, and plants used traditionally by Aboriginal people, you will gain a unique insight into Aboriginal culture.

    Address: 11 Nicholson St, Carlton

  • Museum of Chinese Australian HistoryLocated in Chinatown, the Museum of Chinese Australian History explores the history and culture of Chinese Australians, whose legacy spans 200 years. You can discover exhibitions unpacking the heritage of Australia’s Chinese community, and even see the world’s largest processional dragon!

    Address: 22 Cohen Pl, Melbourne

  • Immigration MuseumThe Immigration Museum provides an insightful look into the people who made Australia their home. Exhibitions reveal the stories behind people’s journeys, the lived experiences of migrants, and the impact of immigration policies. You’ll also get to uncover tales of identity, community, and belonging.

    Address: 400 Flinders St, Melbourne
Close-up of a dinosaur skeleton displayed in a museum, focusing on the skull and neck.

Best Galleries in Melbourne

  • National Gallery of VictoriaEstablished in 1861, the National Gallery of Victoria is the oldest and most visited art gallery in Australia! Of course, this means it’s unmissable. The gallery boasts a phenomenal collection of over 76,000 artworks that span centuries and countries. Monet, Rembrandt, and Picasso can all be found here, as well as modern and contemporary works.

    Address: 180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne

  • The Ian Potter CentreThe Ian Potter Centre forms part of the National Gallery of Victoria and focuses exclusively on Australian art. Exhibiting paintings, photography, sculpture, and Indigenous art, it is an excellent place to appreciate Australian culture.

    Address: Federation Square, Flinders St &, Russell St, Melbourne

  • ACMIUnlike your typical art gallery, ACMI (previously the Australian Centre for the Moving Image) showcases all things film, TV, and gaming. Step into the world of the screen with one of many free exhibitions and explore the most preeminent culture today.

    Address: Federation Square, Flinders St

  • Heide Museum of Modern ArtSince its establishment in 1980, the Heide Museum of Modern Art has grown to house an impressive collection of 3,700 pieces ranging across a variety of mediums. Admire modern and contemporary paintings, photographs, and sculptures before heading outside to explore the large-scale sculpture park.

    Address: 7 Templestowe Rd, Bulleen
  • TarraWarra Museum of ArtWhile the TarraWarra Museum of Art is located about an hour’s drive outside of Melbourne, it’s well worth the trip. This museum is situated in a tranquil natural setting and features modern and contemporary Australian artworks, including Indigenous art. It has a particular focus on abstract and landscape painting, taking you on a journey that transports you elsewhere.

    Address: Wurundjeri Country, 313 Healesville-Yarra Glen Rd

  • Pt. Leo Estate Sculpture ParkThe Pt. Leo Estate Sculpture Park will have you mesmerised. Spanning over 300 acres, you’ll encounter 60 incredible artworks as you navigate the park, which includes pieces by KAWS. The Sculpture Park is part of a winery, meaning you can enjoy a truly cultured day out.

    Address: 3649 Frankston - Flinders Rd, Merricks

  • Australian Centre for Contemporary ArtSet in a striking modern building, the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art frequently features some of the most ambitious exhibits. If you want to have your perspective challenged, this gallery will certainly deliver thanks to its experimental ethos.

    Address: 111 Sturt St, Southbank

  • Museum of Australian PhotographySolely dedicated to the art of photography, the Museum of Australian Photography houses over 3,000 photographic works. From striking portraits of people to stunning shots of the Australian landscape, this museum provides a one-of-a-kind view of life in Australia.

    Address: 860 Ferntree Gully Rd, Wheelers Hill

Discover More of Melbourne with Our Tours

As you can see, there’s so much to discover in Melbourne just through its museums! But if you’d like to take your explorations out of the gallery, then our tours are just for you. Whether you’re interested in our Melbourne’s Earliest Buildings Tour or our Melbourne Hidden Bar Walking Tour, we’ll make sure you see the best the city has to offer. And if you have any questions about our tours, don’t hesitate to get in touch!