Best Museums in Melbourne CBD
Looking for the best museums in Melbourne CBD? We've gathered 15 standout spots in this corner of Melbourne, each ranked by our independent Spot Score so the strongest picks rise to the top. Melbourne CBD has its own character, and the museums here reflect it — from neighbourhood favourites locals keep to themselves to places worth a special trip across town. Use the filters to narrow by price, rating, what's open right now and the features that matter to you, then open the map to plan your visit around what else is nearby. We re-check details regularly, so opening hours and information stay current.
Rain or shine, Melbourne's museums are a rewarding few hours — from natural history and science to local heritage. Many offer free general entry, with ticketed special exhibitions.
15 spots in Melbourne CBD
ACMI
Noteworthy institution celebrating film, television and gaming with exhibits, screenings and events.
Melbourne Museum
Modern building of an institution founded in 1854 containing dinosaur and regional history exhibits.
Royal Exhibition Building
Landmark 19th-century exhibition centre, topped with a dome, and set amid landscaped gardens.
Old Treasury Building
A 19th-century building with a museum showcasing the history of Melbourne & Victoria.
Old Melbourne Gaol
Now a museum with self & guided tours, this storied tri-level jail once housed notorious inmates.
Australian Sports Museum
Museum featuring artifacts & interactive displays tracing the history of Australian sport.
Immigration Museum
Multimedia exhibits documenting the history of immigration in Australia, plus a gift shop.
Children's Gallery (Melbourne Museum)
Tourist Attractions in Melbourne CBD, Melbourne.
Hellenic Museum
Museums in Melbourne CBD, Melbourne.
Museum of Chinese Australian History
Exhibits chronicling the heritage & culture of Australia's Chinese community, plus a gift shop.
Shot Tower Museum
Late 19th-century tower used to make lead shot, now a museum enclosed in a shopping mall atrium.
Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City - Melbourne
Museums in Melbourne CBD, Melbourne.
City of Melbourne Collection
Museums in Melbourne CBD, Melbourne.
Tribute Garden (Immigration Museum)
Museums in Melbourne CBD, Melbourne.
Road to Zero experience (Melbourne Museum)
Museums in Melbourne CBD, Melbourne.
More in Melbourne CBD
Museums in other Melbourne suburbs
Museums in Melbourne CBD — FAQs
What are the best museums in Melbourne CBD?+
The museums in Melbourne CBD listed here are ranked by our Spot Score — our independent editorial rating out of 100, combining reputation, popularity, category fit and how recently we verified the details. The highest scorers appear first.
How many museums are there in Melbourne CBD?+
We currently feature 15 museums in Melbourne CBD, and we add and re-check venues regularly so the list stays current.
How do I get to Melbourne CBD in Melbourne?+
Melbourne CBD is one of Melbourne's neighbourhoods — open any venue's page for its exact location, nearby public-transport stops and a map. See our Getting Around guide for tickets and fares.