Melbourne’s Top 6 Art Galleries

Melbourne is home to more than 100 galleries, ranging from large public institutions to smaller commercial galleries and artist run initiatives. Spend the day exploring, or pop in for a few minutes – here are our recommendations.

National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)

Australia’s oldest, largest and most visited art museum, you could spend a whole day exploring the NGV’s two venues. For Indigenous, Colonial and contemporary Australian art, head to The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. Or, to see one of the most impressive collections of international art in the Southern Hemisphere, check out NGV International just a short walk away.

Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA)

Be inspired by the best international and Australian contemporary artists at the country’s leading contemporary art gallery, ACCA. Located in the Southbank Arts Precinct, a 10-minute stroll from Flinders Street Station, it is internationally renowned for producing ambitious new artworks with living artists.

Heide Museum of Modern Art

A 20-minute drive from the centre of Melbourne, Heide began life in 1934 as the home of Melbourne couple John and Sunday Reed. It has since evolved into one of Australia’s most important cultural institutions with three dedicated exhibition spaces, 15 acres of gardens, a sculpture park, two kitchen gardens, a store and café.

Lyon House-museum

Visit the home of architect and art collector, Corbet Lyon and marvel at his awe-inspiring collection of contemporary art. Currently viewable by small group tour only, a public museum set to open mid 2018 will enable entry throughout the week.

Monash Gallery of Art (MGA)

Australia’s home of photography, MGA hosts a range of Australian and international photography exhibitions. Located half an hour from the city centre, it is the perfect stop en route to the Mornington Peninsula.

TarraWarra Museum of Art

TarraWarra presents Australian art from the second half of the twentieth century to the present day in a sleek hillside gallery, an hour out of Melbourne in the Yarra Valley. Bonus: TarraWarra Estate Restaurant & Cellar door are on the same property.

Image Credits: Visit Victoria