Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History — Attraction in Melbourne

The Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History, tucked inside the beautiful heritage-listed mansion Ulimaroa on St Kilda Road, is one of Melbourne’s true hidden gems.

Founded in 1935 by pioneering anaesthetist Dr Geoffrey Kaye, the museum holds one of the world’s largest and most fascinating collections dedicated to the history of anaesthesia, pain medicine, and intensive care. With over 8,000 historical objects, photographs, rare books, artworks, and medical devices, it offers a captivating glimpse into the evolution of anaesthesia — from early ether masks and syringes to the cutting-edge innovations that shaped modern medical practice.

But it’s not just what’s inside that’s remarkable. The museum is housed in an exquisite 1890s Italianate mansion, Ulimaroa, featuring original stained-glass windows, carved wooden details, chandeliers, and mother-of-pearl-inlaid furnishings. The architectural charm of the building is worth a visit in itself — a perfect backdrop for the rich stories held within the museum’s walls.

Exhibitions are thoughtfully curated to make complex medical history accessible and engaging, blending science, human stories, and social history. You’ll find everything from early anaesthetic apparatus to works of art, alongside stories of bravery, experimentation, and innovation.

There’s something for everyone — from curious visitors to seasoned medical professionals or history buffs. You can also explore more of the collection online via Victoria Collections or delve into their online exhibitions which unpack the social and scientific milestones of anaesthesia in Australia, New Zealand and beyond.

The museum is open Monday to Friday by appointment and is easily accessible by public transport. If you're looking for something different to do in Melbourne — educational, inspiring, and beautifully presented — this is an experience...

Founded in 1935 by Dr Geoffrey Kaye (1903-1986), the Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History chronicles the history of anaesthesia, intensive care medicine and pain medicine. It is one of the largest and most comprehensive anaesthetic history collections in the world.

The Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History became an accredited museum in February 2015. Museum accreditation is aligned with the National Standards for Australian Museums and Galleries.

The Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History launched its new online exhibition The Rare Privilege of Medicine: Women anaesthetists in Australia and New Zealand on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2018. The physical exhibition was launched on April 18, to coincide with the Australian Heritage Festival.

The exhibition investigates the professional lives of 10 women anaesthetists, ranging in date from 1896 to the present. These women came to medicine through very different paths, and the trajectories of their careers were also markedly different.

With these women’s stories, the museum hopes to inspire other women but also to challenge other researchers to find women’s stories in medical history, and bring them into the...

An amazing museum founded in 1935 by Dr Geoffrey Kaye, one of a handful of full-time anaesthetists at that time. It has a very impressive and diverse collection on display and first class exhibits.  We were lucky to have started our visit with a guided tour by the knowledgeable curator, Monica Cronin.  Before being left to wonder around independently, Monica gave us an amazing overview of the museum, it's history and the exhibits.  If you're interested in the history of anesthesia, intensive care and pain medicine then this museum is definitely the place to visit and a visit is highly recommended. The museum is open to the general public and there is no entrance fee however you need to book...