10 Best Places to See Art in Melbourne

Melbourne isn’t Australia’s cultural capital for nothing! This vibrant city’s got some of the world’s most colourful, mind-blowing, and curious contemporary art pieces on display—inside museums and out on the streets. Discover over a hundred art galleries, plus special exhibits, installations, painting workshops, and live shows to get your Melbourne art craze on!

Whether you’re in the mood for fashion, film, or out-of-the-box artworks, here’s the dish on all things art in Melbourne (and where to find them). 

Where: St. Kilda Road, Southbank

Opens: Monday - Sunday (10:00 am - 5:00 pm)

As the oldest and most visited gallery in the Southern Hemisphere, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) never fails to impress.  With its magnificent buildings and aesthetically pleasing interiors, the gallery holds the most extensive art collection in the region—a vast treasure of more than 75,000 works that span time and space. When visiting, be on the lookout for Giambattista Tiepolo’s most revered masterpiece, The Banquet of Cleopatra, Gabriel Chanel’s fashion ‘fits, and many more cool finds! 

Where: Sturt Street, Southbank

Opens: Tuesday - Friday (10:00 am - 5:00 pm), Saturday - Sunday (11:00 am - 5:00 pm)

Take on a new perspective when you head to the Australian Centre for Contemporary Arts (ACCA), best known for its forward-thinking exhibits and installations. At the ACCA, you’ll discover the works of exciting artists, old and new, and from around the world, as well as amazing Aussie art. It’s definitely a must-visit if you’re keen to take your culture-vulture status from amateur to pro. 

Where: Swanston Street, Melbourne

Opens: Tuesday - Friday (11:00 am - 5:00 pm), Saturday (12:30 pm - 5:00 pm)

For a dash of culture, fashion, and quirky artworks in Melbourne,  RMIT Gallery in the historic Storey Hall is your go-to! Inside this modest gallery are contemporary pieces made by burgeoning art students and plenty of cross-cultural exhibits, talks, and live shows to fuel your creativity. Catch Ali Baba Awrang’s inky works and other under-the-radar masterpieces from artists around the globe. 

Where: Federation Square, Melbourne

Opens: Monday - Friday (12:00 pm - 5:00 pm), Saturday - Sunday (10:00 am - 5:00 pm)

Beyond ink and paper, moving images are another form of art to explore in the city. Enter the colourful world of film at ACMI, where you’ll discover over a decade’s worth of cinematic history. From the 1948 Hollywood hit, Unfaithfully Yours, and the classic chick flick, The Princess Diaries, to award-winning indie documentaries, ACMI gets you fully immersed in all things film. The gallery holds weekly movie screenings, workshops, and interactive game displays that even the kids will love! 

Where: Docklands, Melbourne

Opens: Monday - Friday (10:00 am - 4:00 pm), Saturday - Sunday (10:00 am - 6:00 pm)

If you can’t do art, then be the art! When it comes to 3D experiences, you can’t go wrong with a trip to ArtVo, one of the top attractions in Melbourne. Here, you get to be part of the painting as you touch, interact, and give your wackiest pose next to the gallery’s larger-than-life artworks. A great art gallery for families of all ages; you’re sure to come across something to spark your imagination! 

Where: South Wharf, Melbourne

Opens: Monday - Thursday (10:00 am - 9:00 pm); Friday (10:00 am - 10:00 pm); Saturday (9:00 am - 10:00 pm); Sunday (9:00 am - 9:00 pm)

What’s so great about Van Gogh? If you’re wondering why, here’s your sign to visit THE LUME Melbourne on South Wharf and find out the answer yourself. Aus’ first and only digital art gallery pays homage to the most celebrated Dutch painter in history, Vincent Van Gogh. Be ready to tickle each of your senses as THE LUME Melbourne brings to life his most iconic works in an epic display of proportions—from musical soundscapes and aromas to incredible wall-to-ceiling animations. 

Where: Finder’s Street - Federation Square - Flinders Street 

Opens: Drop by anytime, 24/7!

Museums may contain precious works of art, but there’s nothing like seeing the city’s street art for its lively, raw, and candid expressions! Between alleys and laneways, the walls are crowded with cool-looking graffiti and murals, from top to bottom. Map out your street art adventure by booking the Melbourne Street Art Tour, led by a local street artist, and discovering hidden art gems!  

Then, after a day of sightseeing, head to the baths to relax and recharge. Spot these bathhouses in Victoria for the ultimate alone time!

Where: Federation Square, Melbourne

Opens: Monday - Sunday (10:00 am - 5:00 pm)

Something pink and bright in Melbourne is the massive pond right by the NGV garden. Pond[er] is an interactive art installation by Taylor Knights and James Carey, designed to reflect our relationship with the environment and our shared future. But if that’s too much pondering (pun intended) for you, feel free to splash around in the pink pool or cool off with a picnic instead. The best part of the exhibit is that it’s free, so drop by Federation Square anytime until October 28, 2022. 

Looking for more hangout spots around Melbourne, check out our weekend guide!

Where: Brunswick Street, Melbourne

Opens: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday (6:30 pm - 9:30 pm); Tuesday (10 am - 1 pm); and Friday - Saturday (10 am - 5 pm)

Art isn’t only meant for the artist. With hard work and a little guide from the pros, you too can create something beautiful. Learn the basics of sketching and dessin, then make your way around watercolour and oil painting. Fitzroy Painting offers exciting workshops for the artists-to-be, with beginner, intermediate, and advanced Melbourne art courses.

Where: Clarendon Street, South Melbourne 

Opens: Monday - Sunday (10:00 am - 9:00 pm)

Bring out your inner Picasso at Cork and Canvas. If you’re looking for a fun way to learn painting, this trendy Melbourne art bar has got bubbles and brushes to transform you into an artist. Sit down for a two-and-a-half-hour sesh, paint, and sip on a glass of champagne! The “champainting” session is perfect for beginners and fun-loving art enthusiasts. 

Didn’t get enough drinks here? These 11 Mornington Peninsula wineries will quench your thirst!