Gone are the days of museums being quiet exhibitions that people drift through in an observe-only capacity. In the heart of Carlton Gardens (on Victoria Street between Rathdowne and Nicholson) is a bustling museum metropolis that both adults and children will love to explore.
Spend time discovering the past and present achievements, talents, and history of many creatives, scientists, and other notable people. Melbourne’s museums in Carlton will have you travelling back in time with the dinosaurs to embracing immersive new technology via IMAX movies or Virtual Reality World. Watch the kids run through the lavish Carlton Gardens while you sip on Melbourne’s best coffee or appreciate European art at Museo Italiano. Talk about Things To Do In Carlton!
Start with Melbourne Museum’s Walking Tour!
Melbourne Museum
Melbourne Museum is a fascinating place for people of all ages. Explore an intriguing collection of permanent exhibitions from Victoria’s natural and cultural heritage, as well as changing temporary exhibitions from around the world.
The Melbourne Museum’s Children’s Gallery is just one of a number of family-friendly experiences you can enjoy, from information trails to storytelling, play areas, and activities. “It’s a wondrous place for babies to 5-year-olds to explore, play and learn.”
With too many fantastic experiences to list here are some current Winter 2022 highlights:
- Triceratops Fate of the Dinosaurs: Gaze into the eyes of one of the most awe-inspiring creatures ever to walk the Earth—the Triceratops.
- Digital Art Class: A world of bugs—from Triceratops to ants, beetles, and bees—is waiting to be explored at Melbourne Museum. Discover the wonders of digital drawing in this art and science-focused workshop.
- First Peoples: Celebrating the history, culture, achievements, and survival of Victoria’s Aboriginal people through art, music, and dance.
- Tyama, a deeper sense of knowing: Watch as Tyama transports you to Victoria’s nocturnal worlds in a dazzling array of 360-degree responsive projections, breathtaking effects, and exquisite soundscapes.
- Open Horizons: See some of the most extraordinary relics from the National Archaeological Museum, Greece, for the first time in Australia.
Royal Exhibition Building
The Royal Exhibition Building is a grand edifice and a prominent landmark on Melbourne’s inner-city landscape. Built in 1880, the building sits majestically in the lush Carlton Gardens and boasts an impressive 25,000sqm. Throughout the year they host a wide range of exhibitions, both in the Great Hall under the soaring dome as well as nestling in the glorious natural surroundings. Explore:
IMAX Melbourne
IMAX Melbourne is the largest cinema screen in the world, providing the most immersive cinematic experience.
Teleport yourself to places beyond your imagination as you experience the world’s most exciting films, on the world’s largest screen at 32-metres wide, with a 4K laser projector and 15,000 watts of digital surround sound that delivers the ultimate movie-going escape.
VR World Melbourne
Venture into VR World Melbourne Virtual Reality Arcade, near Lygon Street Carlton, and immerse yourself in a rich, interactive world. Solve mysteries, fight zombies, escape from pyramids and explore new worlds together with your friends!
Step into the future of group entertainment and experience what it’s like to be somewhere else. Ideal for birthday parties for kids to corporate gatherings, make your next event out of this world.
Check out the latest VR World trips!
Museo Italiano
One of the most striking and distinctive museums near Lygon Street is Museo Italiano, the Italian Museum which takes visitors on a journey through the world of Italian migrants to Australia. On show at Museo Italiano are historical records, photographs, books, and publications, which together paint an accurate picture of the unique history of Australian Italians.
So get out and explore Museo Italiano, a museum celebrating the stories and experiences of Italian migrants to Australia and the culture they created in Little Italy, Carlton.
- Romance and Glamour, Migrants and Mavericks: Explore the history of Italian food on a walk around Melbourne with Dr. Tania Cammarano.
- Writing Black Italia: From Postcolonial Literature to the “Future”
- Italian Cinema Forum: My Brilliant Friend / L’amica geniale
- Museo Italiano: Virtual Tour of the Italian Museum
There are so many things to do near Lygon Street, why not do all of them? Start with the Melbourne Museum, lunch in the Carlton Gardens, and finish with an IMAX movie. Bellissima!
