National Gallery of Victoria — Attraction in Melbourne

National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) – A World-Class Art Experience

Overview

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in Melbourne is a spectacular museum and a must-visit for art lovers. It houses an exceptional collection of artworks, ranging from classic masterpieces to contemporary exhibits, making it one of the most prestigious art institutions in Australia. The museum’s architecture, curation, and immersive exhibitions create an unforgettable cultural experience.

Why Visit the NGV?

An Impressive & Diverse Art Collection

The NGV’s collection is extraordinary, featuring pieces from renowned artists across different periods and styles. Whether you’re a fan of European classics, Indigenous Australian art, modern installations, or contemporary works, the gallery has something for everyone.

Exclusive & Limited-Time Exhibitions

The museum is famous for hosting world-class exhibitions, often featuring rare and exclusive artworks from international collections. These exhibitions are meticulously curated, offering a deep, immersive experience that you won’t find anywhere else.

A Perfectly Designed Space for Art Appreciation

The museum itself is an architectural masterpiece, with beautifully designed galleries, spacious halls, and the famous water wall at the entrance, which has become an iconic photo spot. The layout allows visitors to fully engage with the art in a calm and inspiring environment.

A Must for Art Enthusiasts & First-Time Visitors

Whether you’re an art expert or a casual visitor, the NGV offers an experience that is both educational and awe-inspiring. Interactive exhibits, detailed descriptions, and guided tours help visitors understand and appreciate the artworks in greater depth.

Buy Your Tickets in Advance!

One important tip: Tickets sell out quickly! If you’re planning to visit a major exhibition, make sure to book your tickets online in advance to avoid disappointment. Popular exhibits often reach full capacity well before the event date.

Best Time to Visit • Weekdays – To avoid large crowds and enjoy a more peaceful experience. • Early morning or late afternoon – For a quieter visit and better photo opportunities. • During special exhibitions – If there’s a limited-time exhibition, don’t miss the chance to see rare and exclusive pieces.

Final Thoughts

The National Gallery of Victoria is one of the finest museums in the world, offering an incredible mix of history, culture, and artistic expression. Its carefully curated collections and world-class exhibitions make it a must-visit destination in Melbourne. If you appreciate fine art, unique collections, and immersive cultural experiences, this gallery is absolutely worth it—just don’t forget to book your...

Listen - I love the NGV, and I'm there multiple times a year, free exhibits are always incredible, I think they're doing a wonderful job with the just about everything and you should DEFINITELY go.

... but I want to review the Pharoah exhibit specifically. It is an incredible collection with some of the most interesting ancient Egyptian pieces I've ever seen in one place. The music was amazing, and I think if you go during off-peak this review will not apply.

BUT. If you're thinking of going during peak, you should be aware that this will be a VERY frustrating experience and you will not get to see much. I missed about half of the exhibit, possibly more. I go to a lot of galleries/exhibits globally and this is the most aggravatingly designed exhibit that I've ever been to.

Usually, I love to read the blurbs/descriptions, but I got to read two.

There is no one guiding the flow of patrons, and the exhibit is laid out in such a way that there are loads of arbitrary choke-points that jut out into the path, which in turns creates clusters of crowds. The path itself is not a logical flow. There were times that I couldn't tell where I was meant to turn, which wouldn't be an issue if there weren't massive crowds to navigate (was there a limited number of tickets per hour? It seemed like everyone with a ticket for my hour showed up at the same time, and no one was making sure there were a limited number of guests).

There are exhibits that you need to go into a tiny room to see, where there are exhibits by the door so its entirely possible you can't enter at all (because again, there's no one keeping people moving). There are exhibits that are in the tip of a triangle format, where there are also seats, so not only can you not see anything you need to jump over other people's legs just to get out of the way. I felt really awful for the woman who used a rollator/walker to get around, some exhibits were unnavigatable. Usually I find it easy to tell what exhibits I haven't seen yet in a gallery but it really wasn't the case with this.

Don't get me wrong - this appears to have been designed to be beautiful to look at and I bet it is, in quieter times. The room with the sekhmet statues was breathtaking, but I have no idea what was at the end of it because it was hard enough just to leave the room. But some of these displays also double as tripping hazards, and the nature of the chokepoints means you almost certainly will miss things.

If you wear glasses you may also struggle with some of the mirrors/lightings as well, because they've really gone for style over accessibility here.

Given the price of this exhibit I'm really disappointed, but I think if you avoid peak hours you'll love...

I visited the National Gallery of Victoria on a busy Saturday afternoon with friends. I’ve been a few times before as a local, but this visit stood out because I had the chance to really explore more of what the gallery offers. It’s just a short walk or tram ride from Flinders Street Station if you’re coming by PTV, or plenty of paid parking is available nearby if you’re driving. The building itself is hard to miss, with its large size, striking fountain and man made pond out the front, and of course the iconic water wall at the entrance.

Entry is free unless you choose to see one of the rotating paid exhibitions. This time, we skipped the ticketed exhibit and wandered through the many free galleries instead. On the ground floor, there’s a stunning foyer space filled with sculptures and the famous room with the colourful stained glass ceiling, which always feels magical to walk under. From there, you can step outside into the sculpture garden and pond area, which is another highlight.

Getting upstairs is easy with both escalators and accessible options. The galleries are currently arranged by region, and it was fascinating to walk through each one and see the differences and similarities across cultures. I especially loved the Japanese and Chinese galleries, the detail and richness of the traditional pieces were incredible. Even though it was busy, the space felt open enough for everyone to explore at their own pace. There were toilets on every level, information points, and staff around to help if you needed directions.

The building itself is so large that it almost felt like a maze at times but getting “lost” just meant stumbling upon more artwork to enjoy. We didn’t even manage to get through everything before closing, which only gives me another reason to come back. Everything felt well looked after, and the whole gallery had such a calm, inspiring vibe.

I’d absolutely recommend visiting the NGV if you’re in Melbourne and looking for something to do in the CBD. It’s packed with history, culture, and beauty, and it’s the kind of place that makes you want to return...