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Old Melbourne GaolvsMelbourne Museum
Both are rated highly by reviewers writing for major publications. On balance, Melbourne Museum ranks significantly better than Old Melbourne Gaol. Melbourne Museum ranks #1 in Melbourne with praise from 9 publications such as Travel + Leisure, Fodor's and Time Out.
Old Melbourne Gaol
Fodor's
Lonely Planet
Atlas Obscura
Time Out
Frommer's
377 Russell Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000
From $0/night
Fodor's "This bluestone building, the city's first jail, is now a museum that has three tiers of cells with catwalks around the upper levels and is rumored to be haunted." Full review
Lonely Planet "Built in 1841, this forbidding bluestone prison was in operation until 1929." Full review
Atlas Obscura "Once housing children next to hardened criminals this historic jail once displayed Ned Kelly's skull until it was stolen. " Full review
Time Out "Explore the gaol, experience a modern-day arrest procedure at the City Watch House, and stand in the dock of the Old Magistrate's Court. " Full review
i
Various nights - Ghost Tours: 133 people were hanged at the Old Melbourne Gaol – including, of course, the one and only Ned Kelly – so it’s probably fair to assume that at least some of them have stayed around to scare the bejeezus out of the unwitting and foolhardy who choose to look for them.
Frommer's "Old Melbourne Gaol’s Crime & Justice Experience is a fascinating way to spend a few hours." Full review
Melbourne Museum Fodor's
Concierge Lonely Planet
Travel + Leisure
On the Grid
Michelin Guide Time Out Time Out
Condé Nast Traveler Travel + Leisure Show All Reviews
11 Nicholson St, Carlton, Melbourne, Victoria 3001
From $0/night
Fodor's "A spectacular, postmodern building (in Carlton Gardens) houses displays of the varied cultures around Australia and the Pacific Islands." Full review
Concierge "This modernist monolith with the sail-like roof is the largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere, so allow a few hours to do it justice."
i
A highlight is the world's first "living forest gallery."
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"This museum provides a grand sweep of Victoria’s natural and cultural histories, with exhibitions covering everything." Full review
Travel + Leisure "This vast museum is the largest in the southern hemisphere; it houses a living temperate rainforest and galleries dedicated to natural history and evolution." Full review
On the Grid "Dinosaurs, taxidermy, open-air forest and Indigenous Australia stories - an impressive cover of natural and cultural histories. There’s even an IMAX on site too! " Full review
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"This science and natural history museum houses dinosaur skeletons and small-scale model trams, all thrown together in cheerful disarray." Full review
i
Don't miss the Forest Gallery, a tropical forest recreated outside.
Time Out "Melbourne Museum has expanded to include a gallery designed for very young children from babies to five-year-olds, setting a new standard in early childhood learning." Full review
Time Out "A glorious, sprawling space filled with themed displays, interactive areas, Imax cinemas, postmodern art and no end of surprises." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "At this museum, the city’s history, stretching back thousands of years, unfolds at great lengths within a contemporary structure." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Situated in the beautiful Carlton Gardens, Melbourne Museum is a natural history museum, and so much more"
Melbourne Travel Guide
August 16, 2021
