9 AM – 5 PM

3 hours approx.

Price from: A$0.00

Melbourne Museum: Tickets and Info

This website offers official tickets for this venue. Please note, however, that it is not the official website of the venue.

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4.7

(20)

Melbourne Museum: Entry Ticket

Highlights

Discover Australia’s historical, cultural, and environmental stories.

See Horridus, the world’s best-preserved Triceratops.

Experience the acclaimed First Peoples exhibition.

Walk through the Forest Gallery, a living southern rainforest habitat.

Enjoy a family-friendly venue with interactive galleries.

4.8

(6)

Melbourne Museum: LEGO® Star Wars Exhibition

Highlights

Discover intricate LEGO® Star Wars models built with over 8 million bricks.

Engage in hands-on building activities that bring your LEGO® creations to life digitally.

Explore famous Star Wars scenes and character displays crafted by a certified LEGO® professional.

Enjoy an immersive atmosphere filled with large-scale landscapes and spaceship replicas.

Suitable for fans and families eager to interact and compete in this themed exhibition.

4.6

(5)

Melbourne Museum: Guided Highlights Tour

Highlights

Explore diverse periods, cultures, and regions of Victoria with an expert guide.

Engage with important artifacts and learn about the museum’s background.

Take your time to revisit galleries after the tour finishes.

Enjoy a pause at the museum café and browse unique local items at the museum store.

Join a small group tour with a maximum of 20 participants for a personalized experience.

4.5

(4)

Melbourne Museum: Melbourne History Tour

Highlights

Discover the Melbourne Story gallery featuring the gold rush era and city development.

Learn about the city’s urban planning and its iconic landmarks.

Hear the fascinating tale of Phar Lap, the legendary racehorse.

Examine a wide array of historical artifacts showcasing the city’s growth.

Gain knowledge suitable for both visitors and residents interested in Melbourne’s past.

5.0

(4)

Melbourne Museum: Home of Dinosaurs Guided Tour

Highlights

Explore one of the Southern Hemisphere’s premier dinosaur collections.

See the world’s best-preserved Triceratops specimen.

Learn about local prehistoric fossils from Victoria at the 600 Million Years gallery.

Visit key exhibits such as Dinosaur Walk and Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs.

Enjoy an exclusive tote bag, lanyard, and a 10% discount at the museum shop.

Melbourne Museum

Discover the Melbourne Museum, a premier cultural destination located in Carlton, where history, science, and human stories come to life. Explore fascinating exhibitions ranging from ancient Viking treasures to interactive LEGO® Star Wars displays, all within a vibrant, educational environment.

Secure your entry now and embark on a journey through time and discovery at Melbourne Museum.

About Melbourne Museum

Melbourne Museum stands as a premier cultural and educational destination in the heart of Carlton, Melbourne. Operated by Museums Victoria, it offers visitors an immersive experience into human history, natural sciences, and cultural heritage.

The museum’s diverse exhibitions and collections, including remarkable artifacts like the Murchison meteorite and the Cobb & Co. royal mail coach, provide unique insights into Australia’s past and global history.

With regularly changing exhibitions and events such as "Treasures of the Viking Age" and "LEGO® Star Wars: The Exhibition," the museum caters to a broad audience, from international tourists to local families and scholars.

Address: 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton, Melbourne
Annual Visitors: Approximately 2 million
Opened: 2000

Why Visit Melbourne Museum?

Dinosaur Walk & Horridus the Triceratops: Step back in time and come face-to-face with prehistoric giants. The Dinosaur Walk features a magnificent collection of dinosaur skeletons, including the renowned and remarkably complete Triceratops, named Horridus. The exhibit provides an awe-inspiring look at these ancient creatures, showcasing their immense scale and the fascinating story of their lives.

The Forest Gallery: Escape the city and immerse yourself in a living, breathing natural world. The Forest Gallery is an incredible indoor recreation of a Victorian mountain landscape, complete with tall trees, native plants, and diverse wildlife. Visitors can walk among ferns, listen to the sounds of native birds, and witness a thriving ecosystem that changes with the seasons.

Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre: Discover the rich and enduring history of Victoria's First Peoples at the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre. This significant space is a place of deep cultural connection, featuring powerful exhibitions that share the stories, knowledge, and living traditions of Aboriginal communities. Visitors can experience contemporary art, historical artifacts, and a profound understanding of the land's original custodians.

Phar Lap: A National Icon: Witness the legend of Australia's most famous racehorse, Phar Lap. The mounted hide of this beloved champion has been a star attraction at Melbourne Museum for decades. Learn the inspiring story of his rise to fame during the Great Depression and see a collection of his personal items, from his training saddle to jockey silks.

The Pauline Gandel Children's Gallery: This dedicated space is a must-visit for families with young children. Designed for ages 0-5, the gallery encourages hands-on learning through play, with interactive exhibits and sensory experiences. It’s a fun and safe environment where kids can discover, explore, and let their imaginations run wild.

Timings

The museum is open daily, from 9 AM to 5 PM.

How to Get to Melbourne Museum?

Located in the heart of Carlton, Melbourne Museum is easily accessible by public transport, car, or bicycle. Use this guide to plan your journey and find the most convenient way to reach the museum.

Address
By Public Transport
By Bicycle
Parking

Melbourne Museum
11 Nicholson Street
Carlton, Victoria 3053

The museum is a centerpiece of Melbourne's vibrant cultural precinct in Carlton, making it a short walk from the city center and a variety of other landmarks.

The Melbourne Museum is well-serviced by the city's public transport network.

Trams: Take tram route 86 or tram route 96 and alight at Stop 11 Melbourne Museum, located on the corner of Nicholson and Gertrude Streets. The free City Circle Tram also stops at Victoria Parade, a short walk from the museum.

Train: The closest train station is Parliament Station on the City Loop. From here, a short walk through the Carlton Gardens leads directly to the museum.

Bus: Several bus routes, including 250, 251, and 402, stop on Rathdowne Street, which is near the museum.

V/Line: For visitors traveling from regional Victoria, take a V/Line train to Southern Cross Station and connect with a tram or bus service to complete the journey.

Visitors can cycle to the museum via dedicated bicycle lanes on Rathdowne Street and Canning Street, or use the shared pedestrian/bike path on Nicholson Street.

Ample bike parking is available on the museum's plaza, located just outside the main entrance.

An underground car park is located directly beneath the Melbourne Museum, with entry points on both Rathdowne Street and Nicholson Street.

Operating Hours: The car park is open daily from 5:30 am to midnight.

Payment: Payments are card only.

Note: Terms and conditions apply, and a lost ticket will result in a charge for the maximum daily rate. The car park is monitored by 24-hour video surveillance.

Things to Know Before Visiting Melbourne Museum

The museum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, allowing flexible visit times.

Peak visiting hours tend to be midday and weekends; consider early mornings for a quieter experience.

Melbourne Museum is fully accessible, accommodating visitors with mobility needs.

There are no specific age restrictions, making it suitable for visitors of all ages.

Tickets can be purchased on this site in advance to avoid queues.

Guided tours and VIP ticket options are available for an enhanced experience.

Dining facilities are available on-site for refreshments and meals.

Visitor maps and itineraries can help maximize your time at the museum.

Membership offers free entry and discounts on special exhibitions and parking.

The museum respects cultural sensitivities and acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land.

Melbourne Museum - Additional Information

Facilities
Souvenir Stores
Special Events

Melbourne Museum offers a variety of visitor amenities designed to enhance your experience.

Guests can enjoy multiple dining options on-site, providing convenient places to relax and refresh during their visit.

Visitor maps are available to assist with navigation around the extensive exhibition spaces.

The museum is equipped with accessible facilities to accommodate visitors with mobility needs.

Amenities such as restrooms, seating areas, and cloakroom services contribute to a comfortable visit.

Additionally, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the venue, ensuring connectivity.

The Museums Victoria Store, located within Melbourne Museum, offers an extensive selection of souvenirs and merchandise.

Visitors can find exclusive museum collectibles, books, and items for all ages, including children’s gifts and educational toys.

The store frequently features sale items and special editions aligned with current exhibitions, making it an ideal place to take home a memorable keepsake from your visit.

Melbourne Museum hosts a variety of special events tailored for diverse audiences.

Notably, the “Nocturnal | Museum After Dark” series offers exclusive 18+ evening experiences that combine entertainment with unique insights into the museum’s exhibitions.

Throughout the year, temporary exhibitions such as “Treasures of the Viking Age” and “LEGO® Star Wars: The Exhibition” provide fresh cultural and educational opportunities.

Membership holders have access to exclusive event invitations, presale ticket opportunities, and discounts to enhance their museum experience.

Accessibility Facilities at Melbourne Museum

Wheelchair & Mobility Scooter Hire: A limited number of standard-sized wheelchairs and a mobility scooter are available for free use. It's recommended to book in advance by contacting the museum directly.

Lifts & Ramps: All exhibition galleries and public spaces are accessible via lifts and/or ramps. A wheelchair access map is available upon request at the front desk.

Car Park Access: The underground car park provides direct lift access to the museum's ground floor, ensuring a seamless entry for visitors with mobility needs.

Sensory-Friendly Resources: For visitors with sensory sensitivities, sensory bags containing noise-reduction earmuffs and fidget tools can be borrowed free of charge from the Information Desk.

Deaf & Hearing Impaired Visitors: The museum has hearing loops in some spaces, and the National Relay Service (NRS) can assist with phone calls for those who are deaf or have a hearing/speech impairment.

Assistance Animals: Guide dogs and other registered assistance animals are welcome throughout the museum.

Tactile Features: Lifts have tactile indicators, and some exhibitions include tactile components. It's best to inquire at the ticket desk for specific details on exhibits with these features.

Interesting Facts about Melbourne Museum

The current Melbourne Museum building opened in 2000, relocating the collection from the State Library of Victoria.

The museum site was once a motor speedway, considered the birthplace of motorcycle sidecar racing.

At its core is the Forest Gallery, a living, indoor recreation of a Victorian mountain forest.

The museum is a neighbour to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building.

It is the permanent home of Phar Lap's mounted hide, a national treasure.

The museum houses Horridus, one of the most complete Triceratops skeletons in the world.

Its Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre shares the stories and traditions of Victoria's First Peoples.

The distinctive modern building was designed by renowned Australian architects Denton Corker Marshall.

The IMAX Melbourne theatre, located on-site, has one of the largest cinema screens in the Southern Hemisphere.

The museum is the custodian of CSIRAC, Australia's first digital computer and the oldest of its kind still in existence.

Spanning 70,000 square meters, it is the largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Museums Victoria collection, housed here, contains over 17 million items.

The museum's collections include both preserved and live exhibits, such as the thousands of insects in "Bugs Alive!".

Its architecture has won several awards for its design that complements the historic Royal Exhibition Building.

The museum features a dedicated children's gallery, designed for hands-on, interactive learning for ages 0-5.

FAQs about Melbourne Museum

Where is the Melbourne Museum located?

The Melbourne Museum is located at 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton, Victoria, 3053, within the Carlton Gardens.

What are the opening hours of the museum?

The museum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

What is the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre?

Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre is a significant part of the museum dedicated to the living traditions, history, and stories of Victoria's First Peoples. It serves as a space for cultural connection and education for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

What is the Dinosaur Walk?

The Dinosaur Walk is a permanent exhibit featuring a collection of dinosaur skeletons, including "Horridus," one of the most complete and best-preserved Triceratops skeletons in the world.

Is there an onsite car park?

Yes, there is an underground car park located directly beneath the museum, with entrances on both Nicholson Street and Rathdowne Street.

Is the museum building new or old?

The current Melbourne Museum building officially opened in 2000, but the institution itself has a long history, with its origins dating back to the mid-19th century.

Is the museum suitable for young children?

Yes, the museum is very family-friendly, featuring the Pauline Gandel Children's Gallery, specifically designed for children aged 0-5 with interactive, hands-on exhibits.

What is the Forest Gallery?

The Forest Gallery is a unique indoor exhibit that recreates a Victorian mountain ash forest, complete with live plants and animals, providing a real-world ecosystem experience within the museum.

How many items are in the museum's collection?

Museums Victoria, which operates the Melbourne Museum, holds a collection of over 17 million items, covering a wide range of natural and human history.

Can I take photos inside the museum?

Yes, personal photography with handheld cameras and smartphones is permitted. However, flash photography and professional equipment like tripods are not allowed.

What is the significance of the Phar Lap exhibit?

The museum is the permanent home of Phar Lap's mounted hide. Phar Lap was a legendary racehorse who became a national icon during the Great Depression.

Is the museum located near other attractions?

Yes, the museum is situated in a cultural hub, with nearby attractions including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens, and IMAX Melbourne.

What is CSIRAC?

CSIRAC is Australia's first digital computer and the oldest surviving first-generation electronic computer in the world, which is now part of the museum's permanent collection.

Are there dining options available at the museum?

Yes, there are several dining venues on-site offering a variety of food and beverage options.

Is there free Wi-Fi at the museum?

Yes, free Wi-Fi is available for all visitors throughout the public areas of the museum.