What are the main attractions at NGV?

Popular highlights include **The Great Hall**, the International Collection, blockbuster temporary exhibitions, contemporary art galleries, Asian art collections, and the iconic Water Wall entrance.

Is admission to NGV free?

Yes. Entry to the permanent collections at both NGV International and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia is free. Tickets are required for selected temporary exhibitions and special events.

What makes the Great Hall’s ceiling so special?

Leonard French’s stained-glass masterpiece is the world’s largest of its kind. Many visitors lie on the floor to watch light shift across the hall.

How often does NGV change exhibitions?

Blockbuster shows, like *Melbourne Winter Masterpieces*, change annually. Smaller temporary and rotating exhibitions also run throughout the year, so the experience is never the same twice.

Is NGV a good spot for families?

Absolutely. NGV has dedicated children’s galleries, interactive workshops, and family-friendly exhibitions designed to keep younger visitors engaged.

Can I combine NGV with other attractions?

Yes. Many visitors pair NGV with nearby attractions such as **Federation Square**, **Arts Centre Melbourne**, the **Royal Botanic Gardens**, **Southbank Promenade**, and **The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia** for a full day of sightseeing.

Are there places to eat inside NGV?

Yes. NGV International features a café and restaurant, with additional dining options available throughout Melbourne's nearby Arts Precinct and Southbank.

Is NGV good for art lovers and photographers?

Absolutely. From its iconic architecture and The Great Hall to world-class exhibitions and striking gallery spaces, NGV offers exceptional opportunities for art enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and photographers alike.

National Gallery of Victoria | Galleries, Highlights & More

Quick Information

ADDRESS

180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3006, Australia

Timings

10:00–17:00

VISITORS PER YEAR

1500000

TICKETS

From $17.67

NUMBER OF ENTRANCES

Plan your visit

Did you know?

A large portion of NGV’s acquisitions come from the Felton Bequest (a bequest by Alfred Felton in 1904). Over the years, more than 15,000 works have been purchased through this fund.

The NGV International building is famously surrounded by a shallow moat and water features, part of a cohesive architectural vision to frame the gallery elegantly.

The recent Yayoi Kusama exhibition (2024–25) shattered NGV records: over 570,000 visitors, making it the most attended ticketed exhibition in NGV history and the highest attendance for a visual art show ever in Australia.

Why visit the National Gallery of Victoria?

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Australia's oldest and most visited art museum

Explore one of Australia's premier cultural institutions, home to an extensive collection spanning thousands of years of art, design, fashion, photography, and decorative arts from around the world.

Experience blockbuster exhibitions

Discover internationally acclaimed exhibitions featuring celebrated artists, museums, fashion houses, and exclusive collections that regularly make Melbourne a global art destination.

Admire iconic architecture

Walk through the famous Water Wall entrance and relax beneath Leonard French's breathtaking stained-glass ceiling in The Great Hall, one of Melbourne's most recognisable public artworks.

Explore world-class art collections

From European masterpieces and Asian treasures to Indigenous Australian art, contemporary installations, and fashion exhibitions, NGV offers something for every art lover.

Family-friendly and inspiring

Interactive galleries, creative programs, family trails, and school holiday activities make the gallery an engaging destination for visitors of all ages.

Free permanent galleries

Enjoy free admission to NGV's permanent collections year-round, with only selected temporary exhibitions and special events requiring a ticket.

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Melbourne Winter Masterpieces® Cartier Exhibition Tickets at National Gallery of Victoria

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Attractions to see at the National Gallery of Victoria

The Great Hall

One of NGV's most iconic spaces, The Great Hall features Leonard French's magnificent stained-glass ceiling and serves as a peaceful place to relax while admiring one of Australia's most celebrated public artworks.

Plan your visit to NGV

International Collection

Explore galleries showcasing European paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, Ancient civilizations, Asian art, and works from across the globe spanning centuries of artistic history.

Plan your visit to NGV

International Collection

Explore galleries showcasing European paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, Ancient civilizations, Asian art, and works from across the globe spanning centuries of artistic history.

Plan your visit to NGV

Temporary Exhibition Galleries

Visit world-renowned exhibitions featuring internationally celebrated artists, fashion designers, photographers, and major museum collections touring exclusively through Melbourne.

Contemporary Art Galleries

Discover innovative installations, multimedia works, sculptures, and contemporary Australian and international artists pushing the boundaries of modern art.

Fashion & Textile Galleries

See haute couture, jewellery, textiles, furniture, ceramics, and decorative arts that celebrate creativity, craftsmanship, and design from different cultures.

Tracing NGV’s journey: Australia’s oldest public art gallery

1861: The NGV is founded, making it Australia’s first public art gallery. It opens in the State Library of Victoria building.
1880s–1900s: The collection rapidly expands, enriched by colonial art and acquisitions of Old Masters.
1968: NGV International opens on St Kilda Road in a striking modernist building designed by Sir Roy Grounds. The Waterwall and Great Hall stained-glass ceiling become instant icons.
2002: NGV Australia (The Ian Potter Center) opens in Federation Square, dedicated to Indigenous and Australian art.
2003–present: The Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series launches, cementing NGV’s reputation for blockbuster international exhibitions.
Today: With over 70,000 works, NGV is Australia’s most visited gallery, blending global treasures with bold contemporary shows.

Check current and upcoming exhibitions at NGV >

Designing culture: The buildings behind NGV Melbourne

The National Gallery of Victoria is really two architectural landmarks in one. NGV International, on St Kilda Road, was designed in 1968 by Sir Roy Grounds, one of Australia’s most celebrated modernist architects. His design turned the gallery into a fortress of culture: bluestone walls, a surrounding moat, and the famous Waterwall at the entrance make the approach as memorable as the art inside. Step into the Great Hall and you’ll find Leonard French’s stained-glass ceiling, the largest of its kind in the world, casting a kaleidoscope of color that visitors love to admire lying flat on the floor.

Across the river at Federation Square, the Ian Potter Center opened in 2002, designed by the innovative Lab Architecture Studio with Bates Smart. Its bold, angular façade of glass, zinc, and sandstone feels futuristic, a sharp contrast to Grounds’ solemn geometry. Together, the two sites embody Melbourne itself: a city that treasures heritage while embracing the avant-garde. Visiting both is like walking through two chapters of architectural history, each telling its own story about art and the city.

Frequently asked questions about the National Gallery of Victoria

NGV houses one of Australia's largest art collections, with more than 75,000 works displayed across multiple floors and galleries at NGV International and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia.