Photo of National Gallery of Victoria in Victoria
Museums

National Gallery of Victoria

📍 Melbourne, VIC

4.7(25,390 Google reviews)

The NGV holds Australia's largest art collection — Impressionists, ancient artefacts, contemporary works, and blockbuster ticketed exhibitions.

Free entryBlockbuster exhibitionsImpressionist collectionFamily programsCentral Melbourne
★★★★★Featured review by J T G Nielsen

Visiting Melbourne the NGV is a must to explore wonderful Australian and international artists and artworks! The current special exhibition features the amazingly talented Vivienne Westwood alongside a brilliant Japanese artist! The exhibition is beautifully laid out and displays the amazing dresses for everyone to enjoy! My main caution is DO NOT park in the car park as it’s a complete rip off! Make sure you explore the total museum and if even stay for lunch or afternoon tea!! It’s very easy to get there via public transport! Enjoy

🏆 Family Action Verdict

Best for school-age kids and teens with an interest in art or history, and for families wanting a no-cost cultural outing in central Melbourne. The free permanent collection means you can visit for 45 minutes or a full afternoon without pressure. Toddlers in prams are accommodated — floors are flat and lifts are accessible.

ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go

💡Free entry to the permanent collection — no booking required
Check the NGV website before visiting to see what special exhibitions are running
🎟️The two-floor cafe gets busy at midday — arrive early or after the lunch rush
🚗Combine with Federation Square and ACMI next door for a full city cultural day

💬 What Families Are Saying

View all reviews →
4.7

25,390 Google reviews

Free permanent collection35%
High-quality rotating exhibitions35%
Impressive breadth of artworks20%
Good cafe on site10%
J

J T G Nielsen

a month ago

Visiting Melbourne the NGV is a must to explore wonderful Australian and international artists and artworks! The current special exhibition features the amazingly talented Vivienne Westwood alongside a brilliant Japanese artist! The exhibition is beautifully laid out and displays the amazing dresses for everyone to enjoy! My main caution is DO NOT park in the car park as it’s a complete rip off! Make sure you explore the total museum and if even stay for lunch or afternoon tea!! It’s very easy to get there via public transport! Enjoy

D

Dhanushka

a month ago

We had a wonderful experience visiting the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne.It’s an amazing place filled with art,culture and history.Inside the gallery there are so many beautiful paintings, sculptures, historical artefacts and modern artworks from different countries and time periods.It was fascinating to see both classical and contemporary art all in one place. One of the highlights is the stunning stained glass ceiling in the Great Hall,which is absolutely beautiful to look at.The gallery also has impressive exhibitions,photography collections,decorative arts, and cultural displays that tell stories from different parts of the world.There are also quiet spaces to sit and enjoy the atmosphere while appreciating the artwork. The building itself is very unique,especially the famous water wall at the entrance.Everything is well organized and easy to explore.If you love art, history and culture,the National Gallery of Victoria is definitely a must visit place when you are in Melbourne.

B

Baguette Doug

a month ago

I really enjoyed my visit to the NGV. I was truly amazed by the scale, facilities, and the breadth of the collection here. As an Impressionist enthusiast, I was delighted to see works by Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and JP Camille Corot. Even Yayoi Kusama. Melbourne, while a gold mine in the older days, also felt like a gold mine of artistic treasures. The experience could be even more enhanced if more detailed provenance information were available, particularly outlining how the museum acquired specific artworks and whether any pieces were affected by, or connected to, the period of Nazi persecution and suppression. An absolute must-visit and I will go back again. ❤️

K

kerry howlett

2 months ago

Don’t walk, run to see the latest exhibition: Westwood & Kawakubo. The NGV never disappoints and trust me this was a stand out. The layout flowed beautifully with rooms filled with these fashion icons luxurious garments. The lighting was spectacular coupled with the signage and stories. It takes you to a fantasy world when two amazing women owned the runways and high end fashion business. Truly incredible and well worth the trip to Melbourne City. Get tickets now!

Reviews from Google

Overview

The NGV permanent collection spans Monet, Picasso, Renoir, Yayoi Kusama, and major Australian works across two CBD buildings. Ticketed special exhibitions rotate regularly — recent shows have featured Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo. A two-floor cafe provides a rest stop mid-visit. Children programs, interactive spaces, and self-guided family trails are available throughout the year.

🕐 Opening Hours

Monday10:00 – 17:00
Tuesday10:00 – 17:00
Wednesday10:00 – 17:00
Thursday10:00 – 17:00
Friday10:00 – 17:00
Saturday10:00 – 17:00
Sunday10:00 – 17:00

📍 Other Museums in Melbourne

View all →

📍 Similar Activities Nearby

View more in Victoria