Museums and art galleries

The best free museums and art galleries in Melbourne

Explore world-class museums, edgy artist-run spaces and blockbuster exhibitions for free.

Melbourne Museum

Explore history, culture, science, and nature at this popular Melbourne attraction.

Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia

The world’s first major gallery dedicated exclusively to Australian art.

NGV International

NGV International houses a whole world of international art.

ACMI

Museum dedicated to the moving image through events, film screenings and exhibitions.

Immigration Museum

An exploration of the stories of people from all over the world who have migrated to Australia.

Children's Gallery Melbourne Museum

This is a wondrous place for young children to explore, play and learn.

Museum of Chinese Australian History

Museum preserving and displaying the history of Chinese immigration.

Australian Sports Museum

The Australian Sports Museum proudly features the largest sporting collection in the country.

Australian Music Vault

A celebration of Australian contemporary music – past, present and future.

Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA)

An art gallery presenting challenging and innovative contemporary work.

City Gallery

City Gallery presents free exhibitions from City of Melbourne’s art and heritage collection.

The Johnston Collection

View beautiful objects arranged in a house-museum setting unfettered by ropes or barriers.

La Trobe's Cottage

Original home of Victoria's first governor Charles Joseph La Trobe from 1839 to 1854.

Hellenic Museum

Discover Greek art, history and culture, both ancient and contemporary.

Bunjilaka

Celebrating the history, culture, achievements, and survival of Victoria's Aboriginal people.

Mystik River Gallery

Specialising in the ancient art of Indian sculpting.

Fire Services Museum of Victoria

Australia's largest collection of fire-fighting memorabilia.

Fox Classic Car Collection

See some of the most iconic cars in the world.

Grainger Museum

An autobiographical museum of acclaimed musician and composer Percy Grainger.

Medical History Museum

A free museum focusing on medicine's contribution to scientific discovery and community wellbeing.

College of Surgeons Museum

An exhibition of surgical objects and memorabilia.

RMIT Gallery

Engaging contemporary art exhibitions featuring both emerging and established artists.

Fad Gallery

An art gallery, music venue and bar in the heart of Chinatown.

Awen Company Store Gallery

A Peruvian streetwear store gallery.

The Watch Gallery

Specialist dealer in pre-owned, modern and collectable Swiss watches.

First Site Gallery

Showcasing RMIT student talent with rotating exhibitions and events.

Gray Reid Gallery

A retailer of vintage, estate, bespoke and contemporary Australian jewellery.

Anna Schwartz Gallery

The gallery represents over 30 established and emerging artists on individual projects.

ARC ONE Gallery

A commercial gallery in Flinders Lane showing contemporary Australian art.

Fiona and Sidney Myer Gallery

Contemporary art space presenting new works by Australian and international artists.

Flinders Lane Gallery

Exhibiting collectable artworks and featuring solo exhibitions every three weeks.

Outre Gallery

Alternative art gallery specialising in lowbrow, pop surrealism and underground art.

Leica Store and Gallery Melbourne

Showcasing the full range of Leica cameras, lenses and sport optics.

One Star Lounge & Gallery

Friendly cafe, bar and contemporary art gallery.

Stephen McLaughlan Gallery

Curated contemporary art space in the iconic Nicholas Building.

Science Gallery Melbourne

A free gallery where arts and science collide.

ArtVo

An interactive 3D art gallery with optical illusions that visitors can touch and explore.

Koorie Heritage Trust

An Australian First Peoples arts and cultural centre.

Accessible hidden gems in Melbourne

From cafes in unexpected places to unique galleries and museums, these spaces are all accessible.