Nestled in the vibrant heart of Melbourne, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is more than just Australia’s oldest art museum—it’s a dynamic sanctuary of global creativity. With an extraordinary collection that spans from timeless European masterpieces to daring contemporary installations, NGV invites visitors to lose themselves in a world where history and innovation coexist. It’s the perfect destination for curious minds and beauty lovers seeking inspiration in the cultural soul of the city.
Join me today as we wander through the quiet halls and vibrant galleries of this art museum, discovering the stories and beauty hidden in every corner.
National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) Address: Google Map
Admission: completely free.
To protect the artworks, staff will ask you to leave bulky items—such as large bags, tripods, or backpacks—at the cloakroom. It's a good idea to pack light before your visit.
The museum spans three levels: the Ground Floor hosts special exhibitions, the first floor features artworks from Asian countries, and the second floor displays pieces from European nations.
Special exhibitions often require a separate ticket and tend to attract large crowds, so there’s usually a long wait before you can enter. That’s why the first thing I do upon arriving is line up to buy a ticket for the current special exhibition (if it interests me). With my ticket secured, I then explore the 1st and 2nd floors—home to the Asian and European collections—while waiting for my time slot, which is often 2 to 3 hours later.
I began my visit on the first floor, where a fascinating collection of artworks from across Asia is beautifully displayed.
The space is impressively vast, showcasing an extensive collection of artworks from China, Japan, and India, as well as from Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia.
It took me about an hour to explore the entire Asian art section. The space is quite expansive, so I recommend following the layout in order to make sure you don’t miss any parts of the exhibition.
Perhaps because I'm quite familiar with Asian culture, the artworks here didn’t leave as strong an impression on me as I had expected.
But everything changed when I reached the European exhibition area on the second floor—I was completely blown away. For an art lover like me, standing face to face with original works by masters like Rembrandt, Turner, and Picasso was nothing short of unforgettable.
After spending nearly two hours immersed in the artistic treasures of Europe, I made my way down to the Ground Floor to explore the special exhibition of Yayoi Kusama —the iconic “polka dot queen” of contemporary art.
Yayoi Kusama stands among the world’s most influential contemporary artists, celebrated for her signature polka dots, mesmerizing repeating patterns, and immersive Infinity Mirror Rooms.
The Yayoi Kusama exhibition concludes with a vibrant room filled with flowers, where each visitor is invited to take a flower and add it to the installation. When I visited, the space was quite crowded, so I couldn’t capture many photos. For the best experience, I recommend arriving early to fully enjoy this interactive finale.
That’s the end of my visit to the the National Gallery of Victoria . NGV isn’t just a museum—it’s a place where art connects deeply with emotion and culture. If you’re ever in Melbourne, make sure to stop by. Even spending just a couple of hours exploring the exhibitions will leave you feeling how vibrant and close art can be.
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