12 Best Museums in Melbourne
Melbourne's museum landscape spans everything from cinema and sport to transport and modern art. Whether you're exploring Australian cultural heritage, hands-on science exhibits, or specialised collections, the city's museums offer something for every interest. Most are concentrated in the CBD, with a few worth the short trip to Richmond or South Yarra.
1
Museums Melbourne CBD1. ACMI
Visit to explore film, TV and games through interactive exhibitions. ACMI in the Melbourne CBD combines galleries with practical spaces where you can engage with Australian and international screen culture.
View venue4.7(6,335)· Google68Spot ScoreWorth a Look2
Museums Melbourne CBD2. Melbourne Museum
Visit for a broad overview of Victoria's natural and cultural heritage. Located in the CBD, it's a comprehensive stop if you want to understand local history, Indigenous cultures and biodiversity in one place.
View venue4.6(19,371)· Google67Spot ScoreWorth a Look3
Museums Melbourne CBD3. Old Treasury Building
Visit to see heritage architecture and exhibitions housed in a restored 1850s government building. The CBD location makes it easy to fit into a city walk, and the building itself is worth experiencing.
View venue4.6(1,549)· Google66Spot ScoreWorth a Look4
Museums Melbourne CBD4. Old Melbourne Gaol
Visit for Melbourne's most notorious criminal history. The CBD gaol offers a direct look at the city's darker past, including the story of Ned Kelly.
View venue4.5(3,732)· Google66Spot ScoreWorth a Look5
Museums Melbourne CBD5. Australian Sports Museum
Visit if you want to explore Australia's sporting heritage and major achievements. Based in the CBD, it's particularly useful if you're interested in Olympic history, Indigenous athletes or specific sports.
View venue4.7(992)· Google66Spot ScoreWorth a Look6
Museums Richmond6. Melbourne Tram Museum
Visit to ride vintage trams and explore Melbourne's transport history. Located in Richmond, it's a hands-on museum where you can actually board and travel on restored heritage trams.
View venue4.8(405)· Google65Spot ScoreWorth a Look7
Museums Richmond7. Heide Museum of Modern Art
Visit for modern and contemporary Australian art in a garden setting. The Richmond location offers a quieter alternative to CBD galleries, with work by significant 20th-century artists.
View venue4.5(1,799)· Google65Spot ScoreWorth a Look8
Museums South Yarra8. Scienceworks (Museums Victoria)
Visit for interactive science exhibits and hands-on learning. Based in South Yarra, it's designed for all ages and covers everything from physics to technology to natural science.
View venue4.4(7,337)· Google64Spot ScoreWorth a Look9
Museums Melbourne CBD9. Hellenic Museum
Visit to explore Greek culture, history and immigration to Australia. The CBD museum focuses on Hellenic heritage and the Greek-Australian community's story.
View venue4.6(581)· Google64Spot ScoreWorth a Look10
Museums Melbourne CBD10. Immigration Museum
Visit to understand Australia's migration history and multicultural identity. Located in the CBD, it documents personal stories and policies that shaped the nation.
View venue4.4(3,429)· Google64Spot ScoreWorth a Look11
Museums South Yarra11. TarraWarra Museum of Art
Visit for contemporary art in a purpose-built gallery. Positioned in South Yarra, it focuses on modern and contemporary works in a curated, smaller-scale setting.
View venue4.5(780)· Google63Spot ScoreWorth a Look12
Museums Docklands12. Fox Classic Car Collection
Visit to see a large collection of vintage and classic cars. The Docklands location houses vehicles from different eras, making it ideal if you're interested in automotive history and design.
View venue4.6(497)· Google63Spot ScoreWorth a Look
At a glance
| Venue | Spot Score | Price | Suburb | Top feature | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACMI | 68/100 | 4.7(6,335) | — | Melbourne CBD | — |
| Melbourne Museum | 67/100 | 4.6(19,371) | — | Melbourne CBD | — |
| Old Treasury Building | 66/100 | 4.6(1,549) | — | Melbourne CBD | — |
| Old Melbourne Gaol | 66/100 | 4.5(3,732) | — | Melbourne CBD | — |
| Australian Sports Museum | 66/100 | 4.7(992) | — | Melbourne CBD | — |
| Melbourne Tram Museum | 65/100 | 4.8(405) | — | Richmond | — |
| Heide Museum of Modern Art | 65/100 | 4.5(1,799) | — | Richmond | — |
| Scienceworks (Museums Victoria) | 64/100 | 4.4(7,337) | — | South Yarra | — |
| Hellenic Museum | 64/100 | 4.6(581) | — | Melbourne CBD | — |
| Immigration Museum | 64/100 | 4.4(3,429) | — | Melbourne CBD | — |
| TarraWarra Museum of Art | 63/100 | 4.5(780) | — | South Yarra | — |
| Fox Classic Car Collection | 63/100 | 4.6(497) | — | Docklands | — |
Frequently asked questions
Which museums in Melbourne are free?+
Entry information for individual venues is not provided in the available data. Check each museum's website for current admission fees and any free entry days.
Are these museums suitable for children?+
Scienceworks is explicitly designed for hands-on learning across age groups. The Tram Museum and Fox Classic Car Collection are also typically engaging for kids. For other venues, check their websites for age-specific exhibits and family facilities.
Can I visit multiple museums in one day?+
Yes. The CBD museums are walking distance from each other, so you could visit 2–3 in a day depending on time and depth of visit. Richmond and South Yarra venues would suit separate trips or a combined outing if time allows.
Which museums have the strongest collections?+
All listed museums are included because they serve distinct purposes. Melbourne Museum and ACMI are the highest-scoring venues and offer broad coverage of their fields.
What are the opening hours?+
Opening hours are not provided in the available data. Visit each museum's official website or contact them directly for current hours, as times vary by venue and may change seasonally.
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