Tickets Melbourne

National Gallery of Victoria Opening Hours, Best Times to Visit, Tips & More

Today

Open 10:00–17:00

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

Monday10:00–17:00
Tuesday10:00–17:00
Wednesday10:00–17:00
Thursday10:00–17:00
Friday10:00–17:00
Saturday (Today)10:00–17:00
Sunday10:00–17:00
#
  • 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.

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.

Frequently asked questions about NGV opening hours & timings

Yes, permanent collection galleries are open for free entry between 10am and 5pm.

More reads

Getting to NGV

Plan your visit

Current & upcoming exhibitions

About NGV