Must-See Museums in Melbourne
A freelance writer and recovering nomad, Theodora divides her time between Britain and Bali. With bylines including CNN, BBC, the Guardian, Discover, Lonely Planet, and National Geographic Traveler, she’s working on a book, still blogs once in a while at EscapeArtistes.com, and spends far too much time on Twitter.
A freelance writer and recovering nomad, Theodora divides her time between Britain and Bali. With bylines including CNN, BBC, the Guardian, Discover, Lonely Planet, and National Geographic Traveler, she’s working on a book, still blogs once in a while at EscapeArtistes.com, and spends far too much time on Twitter.
Hi, I'm Theodora!A freelance writer and recovering nomad, Theodora divides her time between Britain and Bali. With bylines including CNN, BBC, the Guardian, Discover, Lonely Planet, and National Geographic Traveler, she’s working on a book, still blogs once in a while at EscapeArtistes.com, and spends far too much time on Twitter.
Hi, I'm Theodora!A freelance writer and recovering nomad, Theodora divides her time between Britain and Bali. With bylines including CNN, BBC, the Guardian, Discover, Lonely Planet, and National Geographic Traveler, she’s working on a book, still blogs once in a while at EscapeArtistes.com, and spends far too much time on Twitter.
Australia’s second city, Melbourne is best-known for coffee, food, and road trips. But with more than 150 years of museum history, there’s plenty for culture vultures—and families—to love. From sports to science, from trick art to prisons, here are some top museum picks.
National Sports Museum
Nestled inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia’s No. 1 sporting museum pays tribute to legends in cricket, sprinting, Australian-rules football, and more. Besides films, holograms, and memorabilia, there’s an interactive section where kids—and kidults—can test their sporting skills.
Old Melbourne Gaol
First built in 1841, this eerie structure with its cramped cells saw 133 prisoners go to their deaths before it closed in 1924. Learn about famous criminals such as Ned Kelly and the museum’s dark colonial past, or join a night tour to brave its many ghosts.
ArtVo Immersive Gallery Museum
The 3D trick-art phenomenon has taken Asia by storm. Join the fun at this pioneering gallery-museum and pose for epic selfies in your choice of 11 themed zones.
Scienceworks / Shutterstock
Kids will love this interactive science and technology museum, suitable for preschoolers and up. Highlights include a planetarium, plenty of levers to tug and buttons to press, and the Lightning Room, with a Tesla coil.
Melbourne Museum
Dedicated to Victoria state’s natural and cultural history, the Melbourne Museum traces its story back to 1854. The modern building showcases everything from dinosaurs to Aboriginal culture, with an IMAX cinema, too.
Immigration Museum
Set in Melbourne’s Old Customs House, the Immigration Museum tells the stories of some of the millions who immigrated to Australia. An ever-changing array of exhibitions covers topics as diverse as Ramadan and tattoos.
Things to do in Melbourne
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