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4 Melbourne Museums You Shouldn't Miss!

4 Melbourne Museums You Shouldn't Miss!

by on 23-02-2015 in Arts & Culture

4 Melbourne Museums You Shouldn't Miss!

Old Melbourne Gaol

The Old Melbourne Gaol is the oldest surviving prison in Victoria. As such, it has an incredibly rich and fascinating history. From famed bushranger Ned Kelly to serial killer Frederick Bailey Deeming, a number of ferocious criminals have been housed and executed at the Old Melbourne Gaol.

The Gaol offers a number of touring options for individuals of all interests. Self-guided tours are always available, allowing visitors to walk through all three levels of the original Gaol. Visitors can learn more about the process of arrest with the Charge Sergeant exhibit or can catch a re-enactment of Ned Kelly's life during Saturday tours.

Perhaps the most memorable Gaol tours are those that are held at night. Enjoy "A Night in the Watch House" or explore the stories of the prison's hangman and ghosts - if you dare!

For history buffs and ghost hunters alike, the Old Melbourne Gaol is truly a destination worth visiting.

Scienceworks

Young children often find museums quite dull. If you're looking for a museum that your whole family can enjoy, look no further than Melbourne's premiere natural science museum, Scienceworks!

The museum hosts a number of permanent exhibitions, including "Think Ahead," a display that will get you and your children thinking about the future through a number of creative hands-on activities. Burn off some steam by "competing" against some of Australia's top athletes through the interactive exhibition "Sportsworks."

For toddlers and young school-age kids, "Nitty Gritty Super City" is a fun way to learn about the science behind city-building. Lots of interactive ropes, buttons, and features keep children engaged in this hands-on construction simulation.

In addition to these museum staples, Scienceworks features a number of temporary exhibitions, too. Current exhibits include a science-fiction display, a feature about the Tyrannosaur family, and an Alice in Wonderland display that teaches young children fundamental math and science concepts.

To enjoy everything that Scienceworks has to offer, individuals should be sure to visit the museum's famous planetarium and "Lightning Room" for two jaw-droppingly cool shows.

If you're looking for a museum that will keep you engaged and on your toes, be sure to tour Scienceworks!

The Johnston Collection

The Johnston Collection is a historical museum unlike any other. The collection contains hundreds of precious antiques and relics collected by the renowned antique dealer William Johnston. The collection, which is displayed in an 1860s home known as Fairhall, features many works from the Georgian and Regency periods. Antique paintings, furniture, sculptures, and more are on display in this gorgeous historic home.

Tours of the home are given three times a week. Prominent Aussies such as fashion designer Akira Isogawa have even volunteered to give tours of Fairhall.

If you're fascinated by seeing breathtaking antiques in a stunning and historically-accurate setting, be sure to take an afternoon to relax and tour the Johnston Collection at Fairhall.

Australian Centre for the Moving Image

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image, informally known as ACMI, is one of the lesser-known gems of Melbourne. The museum is perhaps the best collection of moving image resources in Australia. The best of the museum's collection is displayed in "Screen Worlds," a permanent exhibit at the ACMI. The exhibit contains over 200 screens and depicts the history of the moving picture from the earliest silent films to the advent of the internet and modern video games.

"Screen Worlds" also features film and television relics and memorabilia, making the exhibit particularly engaging. Best of all, the ACMI offers free 30-minute guided tours of the exhibit daily at 11 am and 2:30 pm daily.

There are dozens of additional resources to explore at the ACMI. The Australian Mediatheque, for instance, is also free and open from 12-5 pm each day. The Mediatheque offers free on-demand access to digital films, Australian TV programs, and more. Even more film memorabilia, including stills and film posters, are accessible as well. True film buffs can even call ahead to schedule a viewing of rare film reels. The museum also hosts a number of changing exhibits, live performances, and film screenings, many of which are free to view.

If you're a lover of film, television, or technology, you'll enjoy visiting the Australian Centre for the Moving Image.

Regardless of where your interests lie, you'll be sure to find something you love in a Melbourne Museum. Consider visiting these great museums along with the world-renowned National Gallery of Victoria the next time you are in Melbourne. You are guaranteed to make memories that will last a lifetime!