Melbourne Museum

Melbourne Museum showing interior views
Melbourne Museum showing interior views and art
Photo provided by Tourism Victoria
Melbourne Museum showing interior views
Melbourne Museum showing interior views


Enhance your knowledge of Victoria’s heritage with a fact-finding mission to one of Melbourne’s top visitor attractions.

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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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Things to do near Melbourne Museum

While visiting the Melbourne Museum, immerse yourself in a variety of activities nearby, including shopping at vibrant local boutiques and enjoying the city's rich art and theatre scene. Explore additional attractions such as the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, which complement your museum experience, offering a blend of culture and leisure in the heart of Melbourne.

Shopping

While visiting Melbourne Museum, enjoy shopping at Melbourne Central, only 1.1km away, boasting a mix of entertainment and city vibes. Queen Victoria Market, 1.3km away, offers a vibrant atmosphere for local goods. For unique finds, Lightning Ridge Opal Mines, 1.4km away, is a charming store worth exploring.

Recreation

Marvel Stadium, a lively sports venue 3.2km from Melbourne Museum, offers an exhilarating atmosphere for sports enthusiasts. Nearby, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, located 1.6km away, hosts captivating musical performances, while the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre, 4.8km from the museum, provides family-friendly aquatic activities.

Adventure

Explore the Merri Creek Trail, a scenic hiking route 3.2km from Melbourne Museum, offering adventure and natural beauty. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Tan Track, also 3.2km away, provides a delightful terrain. Experience the thrill of Melbourne Seaplanes, a scenic flight 8.0km from the museum, showcasing stunning aerial views.

Nightlife

The vibrant nightlife near Melbourne Museum includes a visit to the Princess Theatre, just 805m away, where culture and romance thrive. Head to the Regent Theatre, 1.3km away, for more entertainment, or enjoy the enchanting atmosphere at Her Majesty's Theatre, also 805m away.

*Distances are measured in a straight line; actual driving distances may vary depending on the route.

Find the best attractions near Melbourne Museum

Melbourne Museum offers a diverse range of attractions for visitors, including vibrant streets, urban parks, and historic colleges. Whether you're seeking cultural enrichment, family-friendly activities, or a taste of the city's essence, the points of interest in and around the museum cater to all. Explore the rich tapestry of experiences that this captivating area has to offer, ensuring a memorable visit.

  • Rod Laver Arena: Experience the thrill of world-class sporting events and concerts at this iconic arena, known for its vibrant family-friendly atmosphere and state-of-the-art facilities, located 1.6km from Melbourne Museum.
  • Melbourne Cricket Ground: Immerse yourself in Australia’s rich sporting culture at this historic stadium, which hosts thrilling cricket matches and showcases an impressive array of sporting memorabilia, just 1.6km away from the museum.
  • Collins Street: Stroll along this elegant street, renowned for its stunning architecture, luxury boutiques, and bustling cafés, offering a taste of Melbourne’s vibrant city life, also situated 1.6km from the museum.

Best time to go to Melbourne Museum

The best time to visit Melbourne Museum can depend on the weather and when visitor numbers rise and fall. The hottest average temperature around Melbourne Museum falls in January, when visitor numbers are average and weather is mostly sunny with light rain. The coolest average temperature around Melbourne Museum falls in July, visitor numbers are slightly high and weather is mostly cloudy with no rain.

calendarCalendar MonthtemperatureTemperaturerainPrecipitationmostlyCloudinessoccupationOccupancypricePricing
January68.7°F (20.4°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverageSlightly High
February68.0°F (20.0°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly LowAverage
March64.8°F (18.2°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverageSlightly High
April59.4°F (15.2°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly HighAverage
May53.8°F (12.1°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverageSlightly Low
June49.8°F (9.9°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly HighSlightly Low
July48.9°F (9.4°C)No RainMostly CloudySlightly HighAverage
August49.8°F (9.9°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageSlightly Low
September53.1°F (11.7°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverageAverage
October56.8°F (13.8°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly LowAverage
November61.2°F (16.2°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly LowSlightly High
December64.8°F (18.2°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverageAverage

Booking tips and Expedia advantages for Melbourne Museum

When planning your visit to Melbourne Museum, consider travelling during the cheaper months of May to June or August to save on accommodation. Mondays are the least expensive days to stay, while Saturdays tend to be pricier. Use Expedia’s search tool to find budget-friendly hotels, and consider eco-certified options for sustainable stays. To maximise savings, look for package deals that combine flights, accommodation, and activities. Additionally, explore free activities in the area to enhance your experience without breaking the bank.

  • The most and least expensive months on average to stay in a hotel: The cheapest months to stay around Melbourne Museum are May to June and August, where the prices are slightly lower. This is in comparison to January, March and November, where prices are slightly higher.
  • The most and least expensive days on average to stay in a hotel: The least expensive day to stay around Melbourne Museum is Monday. The most expensive day to stay around Melbourne Museum is Saturday.
  • Find cheap hotels on Expedia: Expedia’s search tool enables you to specify your budget, preferred location, and additional criteria. You can organise your search results by price, starting from the lowest to identify the most affordable hotels first. Furthermore, you have the option to refine your choices by hotel type; for instance, selecting the Eco-certified filter will showcase sustainable and environmentally friendly hotels that you can reserve.
  • Consider bundling your trip: You can enjoy some savings by combining your hotel stay at the Melbourne Museum with your flights and activities by opting for an Expedia package deal.

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Explore a world of travel with Expedia