Australia

15 Best Museums in Australia

If museums are your reason to travel, this is Australia sorted for you.

Order reflects review volume from real travelers in Australia. Refreshed monthly.

  1. National Gallery of Victoria

    Museum · Melbourne

    The National Gallery of Victoria, commonly known as the NGV, is a premier art destination in Melbourne.

    Read our full guide →
  2. Perth Mint

    Museum · Perth

    The Perth Mint is one of Australia's oldest operating mints, established in 1899. Today, it functions as a museum and working mint.

    Read our full guide →
  3. Old Melbourne Gaol

    Museum · Melbourne

    Old Melbourne Gaol is a preserved 19th-century prison that now operates as a museum, giving visitors a glimpse into Melbourne's convict past.

    Read our full guide →
  4. Art Gallery of New South Wales

    Museum · SydneyFree entry

    The Art Gallery of New South Wales, in The Domain, Sydney, is the most important public gallery in Sydney and one of the largest in Australia.

    Read our full guide →
  5. Questacon

    Museum · Canberra

    Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre, is Canberra's superb interactive science museum and one of the best family attractions in Australia.

    Read our full guide →
  6. Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane

    Museum · Brisbane

    The Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) is Australia's largest museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art, located in Brisbane's South Bank.

    Read our full guide →
  7. Australian National Maritime Museum

    Museum · SydneyFree entry

    The Australian National Maritime Museum sits on the waterfront at Darling Harbour in Sydney, telling the story of Australia's deep relationship with the sea, from Indigenous saltwater cultures and…

    Read our full guide →
  8. National Portrait Gallery

    Museum · CanberraFree entry

    The National Portrait Gallery in Canberra tells the story of Australia through the faces of the people who shaped it, explorers and prime ministers, artists, scientists, sportspeople, activists, and cultural icons.

    Read our full guide →
  9. Madame Tussauds Sydney

    Museum · Sydney

    Madame Tussauds Sydney is a wax museum located in Darling Harbour, part of the global chain known for its incredibly realistic wax figures.

    Read our full guide →
  10. Immigration Museum

    Museum · MelbourneFree entry

    The Immigration Museum in Melbourne tells the powerful, moving stories of the millions of people who have migrated to Australia from across the world, their journeys, hopes, struggles, and the rich…

    Read our full guide →
  11. ACMI (museum)

    Museum · Melbourne

    ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) is a dynamic museum that celebrates the art, history, and technology of film, television, video games, and digital culture.

    Read our full guide →
  12. Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

    Museum · Sydney

    The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia occupies a prominent position on Circular Quay, offering visitors a dynamic journey through modern art.

    Read our full guide →
  13. Museum of Brisbane

    Museum · Brisbane

    Museum of Brisbane is located in the iconic City Hall, a heritage building that itself is a piece of history.

    Read our full guide →
  14. Australian Museum

    Museum · SydneyFree entry

    The Australian Museum is the oldest natural history museum in Australia, located at the corner of William and College Streets in central Sydney.

    Read our full guide →
  15. Queensland Museum

    Museum · Brisbane

    The Queensland Museum, situated in the South Bank cultural district, offers a journey through the state's natural and human history.

    Read our full guide →
More of Australia: best things to do overall · visa rules · build an itinerary

Rather have a human do the planning? A Local Friend can build this trip for you, at local prices.