National Gallery of Victoria

NGV International and NGV Australia are open daily from 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4:30pm. Evening openings are occasionally offered for special events such as NGV Friday Nights.

Jan 1 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Dec 31)	TIMINGS
Monday	10:00–17:00
Tuesday	10:00–17:00
Wednesday (Today)	10:00–17:00
Thursday	10:00–17:00
Friday	10:00–17:00
Saturday	10:00–17:00
Sunday	10:00–17:00

Closed days: Christmas Day and until 1pm on ANZAC Day
Extended hours: Select blockbuster exhibitions (like the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces) may have extended hours, check the NGV website before visiting.
Ticketed exhibits: While permanent collections are free, tickets are required for major temporary exhibitions.

Book tickets to National Gallery of Victoria

National Gallery of Victoria Tickets: 2025-26 Westwood | Kawakubo Exhibition

Flexible duration

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

Flexible duration

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Women Photographers 1900–1975: A Legacy of Light Exhibition at National Gallery of Victoria Tickets

Flexible duration

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How long to spend at NGV Melbourne

Quick highlights (2–3 hours): Focus on the icons: the Waterwall, Great Hall, Picasso’s Weeping Woman, Tiepolo’s Banquet of Cleopatra, and a glimpse of Indigenous works at NGV Australia. Ideal if you’re tight on time but don’t want to miss the essentials.
Half-day immersion (4–5 hours): Perfect for art enthusiasts. Cover both NGV International and NGV Australia, catch a free guided tour, and linger in special exhibitions. Add a break at the Garden Restaurant or Tea Room to recharge.
Full-day exploration (6–7 hours): Best for serious visitors. Start early at NGV International, spend a few hours with the European and Asian collections, break for lunch, then continue at NGV Australia. Wrap up with a blockbuster exhibition or NGV Friday Nights if it’s on.

Tip: If a Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition is running, allow an extra 1–2 hours. These shows are extensive and worth the time.

Suggested itinerary for a full day at National Gallery of Victoria

Start at NGV International via the Waterwall entrance to grab your photo moment before the crowds build.
Join a free guided highlights tour (usually runs late morning) to orient yourself and dive into masterworks like Picasso’s Weeping Woman or Tiepolo’s Banquet of Cleopatra.
Wander the Asian Art wing or the Decorative Arts collections as they're less crowded early in the day.