National Gallery of Victoria

I absolutely loved this art gallery from top to bottom. The exhibitions are well organised, the architecture was amazing, the staff was very helpful and there’s an infinite amount of art work. My favourite was Dali’s “Mae West Lips Sofa”. I’d recommend around 2-3 hours to check most of the museum, but honestly, you can get lost there for half day if you wanted to. I couldn’t recommend it more.

Attended the French Impressionism exhibition. Really, considering you spend half the time fighting the crowds, what you pay is a little steep, but it was great to see some of the works from the masters. Consider buying entry tickets for a bit later in the day when crowds seemed to settle a bit. The rest of the gallery ... for free .. was fabulous and well worth the visit. Overall, 3 hrs well spent.

The Impressionists Exhibition. Brilliantly set out, each room encapsulates a time period so well. Fascinating to see artwork that is so old but well preserved. The information throughout and between artworks is informative but not long winded. What was a great way to finish was to see portraits of the various Artists and some footage also. Would recommend this event.

Highly recommend! Perfect to stroll around when you're in the city. No cost to enter the gallery and see the artwork across multiple. Tickets are available for exhibitions, so keep an eye out. It can be quite busy on weekends so I'd recommend a later afternoon visit.

Visited the National Gallery of Victoria and spent a few hours exploring both the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions. The space is well-designed, with the stained glass ceiling in the Great Hall being a standout feature. The special exhibitions were thoughtfully curated, and the variety of artworks—from classical to contemporary—offered something for every interest. The atmosphere was calm despite a steady flow of visitors, and staff were helpful throughout. A good spot to slow down and appreciate art at your own pace.

so pretty! such a great art gallery and i appreciate that it’s free. so much to explore~ if you love art or have any interest you’ll have a great time. remember you need to cloak your bag if it’s over a certain size!

A MUST when in Melbourne. Absolutely stunning. My art and history peeps will love the collection they have here. We paid for the French exhibition too and it was worth every dollar. The set up and colours of each collection paired with music. 😮‍💨😮‍💨

Very good . Although sign posting could be much improved with in the museum. Went to see the Impressionist exhibition which was great, however, since when do you need to take your own earphones to listen to the audio???

Great museum. Free to enter. Both first and second levels are full of paintings , sculptures and other art pieces from Europe and Asia. Only a few minutes walking from city center and very close to the train station. Highly recommend it to anybody in Melbourne. Minimum time is 3 hours.

Founded in 1861, it is Australia's oldest and most visited art museum. It is on the Victorian Heritage Register. The gallery's international works from Europe, Asia, America and Oceania are displayed here. There are 3 levels not including the ground level. Upon walking in, there is a water-wall entrance. What I liked best was the Great Hall ceiling, which is the world's largest stained-glass ceiling. I also liked the "Temple of Boom" found outdoors. Admission is free!

Convenient location, easy to travel to, and access is very simple (it's just walk-in since it's free and you can walk directly to the escalators to see the floors of exhibits. Their collections are oriented mostly around Asian and European pieces, though there are small sections for contemporary and Central/South American pieces too. Great for learning more about the cultures and to spend some part of your afternoon here. I can see people spending an average of 1-1.5hr here, depending on how much you are into art. I slotted this in the itinerary pretty easily since there's a lot around the area to do too. Worth a visit if you're looking for more city-tourist type stuff to do! PROS: - multiple floors of collections of art - easy to locate and access - good itinerary activity for tourists CONS: - contemporary section could be larger & more varied

I had decided against reviewing any place from my trip to Australia since hardly anyone there uses Yelp but now that I'm all caught up on reviews and have plenty of time, I'll start writing some. The NGV was one of my favorite things in Melbourne. It's a huge museum featuring great exhibits of all kinds. The best part is, most of it is free. They do have special exhibits which cost money, such as the KAWS exhibit that we went there to see. Of course we paid, because we couldn't pass it up and it was well worth the money! The whole museum is extremely clean and modern, and located across from the Royal Botanic Gardens so I definitely recommend that you take a walk there after. It was raining on the day of our visit, and they have a coat check for your coats, umbrellas and large bags. I try to make it a habit to check out at least one museum when I travel, and I'm glad this was it.

Free entry, free bag check, easy to get to from CBD, and free WiFi. The water wall entrance is pretty mesmerizing to look at, but the building itself is kind of ugly. I went to go take a tour to get in a lot of information in a short amount of time. They have focus tours at 11am and 1pm, and collection tours at 12pm and 2pm. So I recommend you do one! They have an interesting collection of paintings, sculptures, and photographs. It's mainly European and Asian, and I wish they had more Australian and Aboriginal art. There was a fascinating exhibit on chairs that I thought was super cool. I did prefer the national gallery in Sydney, because there was a major focus on Aboriginal art, and there was a lot more variety, but this was cool to explore as well.

Every two years I visit Melbourne and I always go to the NGV. The exhibits change and are out of the ordinary. Along with art from previous centuries, there is a very good collection of modern art. But here is what I fell in love with this time. It was the silver art made out of emu eggs. I fall in love with Melbourne more and more every time I come. Kid friendly and equally fascinating for adults. And it's free!!!!!!! Best gift of Australia to the people of the world. Thank you!!

NGV has such a big showcase that it will take you a full day to see everything. It has a combination of new and old art, antiques, furniture, glassware, you name it. It's free except for the occasional special exhibit.

This place is AMAZING! Top 5 of all the Museums I've visited so far! One can spend all day walking through each floor and still won't be able to enjoy everything. Luckily it's free entry so you can come in as many times as you want! I came here for the NGV Triennial that housed over 100 different artists from around the world. I spent hours winding through hallways, walking in different rooms and was in awe of all the artwork. From the skulls exhibit by Ron Mueck to the interactive flowers exhibit by Yayoi Kusama; nothing disappointed! NGV Triennial ran for about 4 months but I was only in Melbourne for a couple of days to enjoy the Museum. Just make sure to take a portable battery charger since you will definitely be taking plenty of pictures! Free wifi throughout the museum too! NGV will definitely be a place I'll be frequenting each time I visit Melbourne!

First time visitor to the NGV. Went to see the Terracotta warrior display with a modern art add on. Interesting to see the first dynasty burial customs which are similar to the Egyptians. Meticulous detail on the life sized terra-cotta warriors. The gunpowder art was interestingly presented.

This is a very good art museum and very much worth a visit. They have a very good selection of western, aboriginal, and Asian art. Unfortunately, some of the Asian art was closed as they set up a new exhibition. It is very interesting architecturally, but very good for the mobility impaired. There are gentle ramps connecting the floors with the walls and floors being somewhat stark, modern, but interesting. They don't have a large sampling of any one artist or genre, but there is certainly enough of each genre to enjoy. I especially liked the very decent collection of contemporary art and impressionist art. I'm a fan of Pissarro and they had several works by him. It was well worth a visit.

I went to the NGV twice in my visit to Melbourne. I saw a really cool Victor and Rolph fashion exhibit. Some of their collections were on display and they had some really fun interactive exhibits to take selfie's with. There was even a runway show with a miniature doll wearing one of their haute couture looks. Another exhibit that was showcased was David Hockney. He did these paintings on iPad and they were really incredible to see blown up. There was also a collection of portraits he had done over the years and they were so incredible and colourful (my fav part of exhibit). There are also a number of free galleries inside the NGV. These galleries included an incredible collection of jewellery and some modern Art. Across the street at confederation square there is also another section of the NGV. This building includes more Australian artists and there's an incredible collection of artwork ranging from modern traditional fine arts. The galleries in this building are free to the public. Excellent way to spend a day or two ... or 3 when visiting Melbourne.

5 stars for being free, minus the exhibitions, such as Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei at the time I was here. The water running glass pane entrance is a keeper for the little ones and has caught attention without even entering the gallery. You must check in your backpacks and large items. You'll be given a ticket, as well as a clean bag if you need to carry your valuables. A large chandelier like art piece stood at the entrance (behind the water running glass pane) and caught many eyes. The multiple bikes upon bikes to create a massive 3-D effect also caught eyes for a picturesque moment. Past the massive bikes artwork was a child friendly play area inside and outside. "Dotted gum-like dot" seats were scattered red, blue, yellow and purple among the great room to parallel the mosaic ceiling. Bright pink and silver human sized pillows sprawled all over the fake turf outside with a hippo and gator statues on each corner. Further out was the "dome-like fort with chairs and tables and other artwork. Perfect for children. National Gallery of Victoria had rooms and eras and hallways of artwork. You might even get lost once, twice or three times if you're not paying attention. At the end you can check out the museum store and cafe. You could spend about 2 - 3 hours at this museum depending on your interests.

NGV entry is free and if that alone is not enough to tempt you to spend a day admiring art that you may or may not understand (more often it's the latter for me), then there's also plenty to do and look at that's less intimidating to us the non art experts. There's the gift shop for one where you can browse through some cool gifts for yourself or friends. The kids area is interactive and fun, The glass wall at the front entrance doubles as a water feature and can be quite mesmerising to look at too. If you're a visitor to Melb, the NGV is a great free pit stop and only a short walk from Flinders st station and the Various feeding and watering hole of Southbank Tip: If you happen to visit during the Warhol/Ai Wei Wei exhibition, don't pass the kids section.. There's a super cool photo booth surprise, trust me it's fun

The National Gallery of Victoria is one of the most brilliantly-curated museums anywhere. If you need old world Masters, they are here. If you want ancient artifacts, they are here. Yet, they also manage to give you William Wegman's Weimaraners, 1950's dishes, modern art from amazing female artists, antique furniture and I could go on. Most wonderfully, the General exhibits are free of charge. If this were Canada, they would charge you 20$ to look at dirt. Amazing museum. Trip Advisor taught me to hate the word, but I really think it applies here. Amazing.

Great art museum in Melbourne! I was very impressed with the Guerilla Girls exhibit, especially. The coat/bag check line was ridiculously long, especially given that you must check large bags in. Given that rule, there should be more than one employee checking bags in, especially during the weekend when it's so busy.

This is a great place to enjoy unusual architecture and great art. The displays combine old and new art in each room and the quality of the descriptions, as well as the art, was impressive. Free to the public, so a great place to hang out and spend some time. Some pieces were disturbing, many were thought-provoking, and a lot were just different and great. We had a good time!

I remember my first visit to the NGV when I was 8. The artist was Monet and I look back on that experience with fondness in the same way many people look back on their first concert. I'm still a big fan of the NGV and love that there are terrific works on on display for free (read it: FREE) all the time, so it's possible to pop in for 20 minutes relief from the business of the city... or take a couple of hours and lounge about on the sofas, read a book and relax with the backdrop of fine art and the gentle hum of visitors. The current contemporary Indonesian art is especially good.

Free entry. Free art. Fancy tea. Fancy coffee. Fancy cookies. What more does a Melbourne girl want? Whenever the opportunity arises i love sneaking into the NGV for a bit of me time. A few key pieces of work still take my breath away. And a few others bring a smile. I love that the main areas of the gallery are free to explore. With minimal paid areas. The NGV has a nice basic cafe on the ground level and a really fancy cafe, with waiters on the first level.

I shudder to think what the various loans from overseas cost, let alone the acquisition and freight of Ron Mueck's skulls (Mass, 2017), and what percent of that went to his mega-dealer Hauser & Wirth, and how it might have been redistributed amongst several living bodies or local artists to far greater effect. Maybe the issue here is taste- I would be less inclined to make the same argument had the gallery imported work by Karen Kilimnik, David Hammons, Lee Lozano or Jimmie Durham, and who am I to say that there is no rigour in Mueck's Mass. But I'm sure that it's prolific reach as the backdrops of various selfies on Instagram, was not lost on the gallery's director. Whereas the intangible experience of less photographable experiences would be Adam Linder's work was fantastic

Although this place is incomparable to my favourite art museum in New York (MoMA), NGV has its own perks. Upon entering, there's a cloak bar for you to check in your items. There's an easy-to-spot information desk near the entrance as well. There's quite a lot to see in the gallery. It's very children friendly as well with their ongoing exhibition, projects, programs and activities for kids. I love the fact that they always have new programs lined up to keep me popping back for a visit. They even have interesting talks and live music performances that complement the exhibition's theme. If you're hungry, there's a little cafe shop located at the ground floor. I have not tried anything there so I am not able to review about their food. I enjoy roaming about the gift shop and browsing through various books, scarfs, and designs.

Great museum with interesting exhibits! My friend and I weren't even planning on visiting here, but the features outside intrigued us enough to go inside. The museum is free entry, and large bags have to be checked in. It is easy to wander around the exhibits and get lost. There was a great variety of artifacts, with artwork amd items spanning from Asia to Europe to the Americas. If I had more time, I would definitely take my time looking at all of the exhibits. This was definitely a nice surprise, and I'm so glad my friend and I stumbled upon this place!

NGV is a great asset to the Melbourne culture scene. They have permanent exhibits, but I always find myself drawn there for their rotating exhibitions. Recently, 'Melbourne Now' spread over the Fed Square and St Kilda Road sites and featured some delightful, interactive, and inspiring installations. I loved the snap shots of Collingwood home life constructed in frosting, retro tea-towel displays, and the mirrored disco room. (And it was all free!) During White Night 2013 they also hosted an event favourite - a giant foaming fountain. And for their Marie Antoinette exhibit, they had all-night entry plus a party for Bastille Day. (A paid exhibit, but discounted for the Bastille day event.) Sometimes galleries can get a reputation for being stuffy or snobbish, but the NGV exhibits add some life and fun to the Melbourne Arts scene.

The National Gallery of Victoria is one of the best art galleries in Australia and one of my favorite places to bring visiting friends from overseas. A huge collection of classic and contemporary are is masterfully curated and displayed across multiple rooms and open spaces. Houses in a monumental stone building complete with reflection moat and a great waterfall entrance, the NGV makes a statement - art is taken very seriously in Melbourne. The gallery hosts a number of permanent exhibits, mainly on the big names: Picasso, Warhol etc. There is also some really interesting design and fashion exhibits on permanent display. It's the well curated and ever changing contemporary collection that I adore though. Large installation, light works, sound installations and even interactive are are all a common feature. There are a few cafés on site though I recommend waiting for a nice sunny day, getting a picnic pack from the foyer cafe and relaxing in their sculpture garden out back - so relaxing. NGV is great for all ages and all levels of art enthusiasts.

Celebrating its 150th birthday in 2011, the National Gallery of Victoria is not only Australia's oldest public art gallery but also arguably Melbourne's most important; playing host to a permanent collection of some 70,000 works numbering both ancient and modern art and design from around the world and with an estimated total value of some $3.5 billion. Boasting a continuously changing and perennially excellent roster of exhibitions such as the hugely successful current 'Vienna: Art & Design' exhibition encompassing the work of Klimt, Schiele and other notable Austrian artists, the National Gallery of Victoria is nothing short of a revelation for aesthetes and design junkies. Offering free admission to all but visiting exhibitions, the National Gallery of Victoria is worth visiting for a glimpse of the building alone. With its exterior water wall and Leonard French's incredible stained glass ceiling - the largest in the world - within the NGV's Great Hall almost making the sight of the building as gratifying as the sight of the works of art it houses themselves.

The new Monet's Garden exhibition from the Musee Marmottan Monet in Paris is simply outstanding, and while expensive at $26 per person, it's absolutely worth it. From the years of painting waterlilies in his garden at Giverny, to the more broad and vibrant strokes of his works as his eyesight was diminishing, the exhibition provides a fantastic overview of Monet's work and his endless attempts to capture nature as it presented itself to him.

Awesome wonderful building and we had tea i n the afternoon. We took two hours to enjoy this free museum. Special exhibits cost money and a pretty penny. The displays are interesting and the layout of the museum is other worldly. I recommend this place highly don't miss it.

There were 2 NGV and the international one (this one) was located next to the Arts Centre. We came here for the Monet exhibit and we were blown away by the beauty. They didn't have Monet's famous large scale paintings (Great Decorations), but it was still worth the visit.

On the list of free things to do in Melbourne, this is near the top. I mean...it has to be. And their temporary exhibits, which they DO charge for, always seem to be fantastic (Monet, etc.) and are reasonably priced (but busy as a result). It's easy to get here. It's quick to get in - no lines, no security, no ticket booths. Just strolling around the museum is the best way to do it, and you'll find great pieces of art from all over the world and all mediums. It's very easy to spend a couple of hours here, even if you are not all that knowledgeable in art. There are also free tours that you should certainly take advantage of if you can time it right! I have never had the food here, but the restaurant always appears packed and the food looks good, but expensive. I probably would never eat here.

Went there for the Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei Exhibition. It was a pretty good experience. The venue is very modern and all the art pieces have enough space. I was very impressed by the modern part of the exhibition with video/audio and interactive parts. Seems they really care about the exhibitions that are happening there.

I was surprised in some ways by Melbourne's main art gallery. As with many of its counterparts, there is free entry but substantial paid exhibitions. The building was architecturally interesting, but also rather inefficient, leaving visitors to walk long uninteresting routes to get to the mezzanine exhibitions and being not quite ideal in terms of temperature and comfort. They had a considerable focus on Asian art, with some European, and oddly enough very little else. Notably, they didn't seem to have any Aboriginal art; it must be somewhere in this city but I could not find it. And frankly, I didn't come to Melbourne for their European collection. I have to say, I liked Brisbane's and Sydney's (and Auckland's) offerings better.

I must say that I am coming to really appreciate art galleries, especially spending an afternoon standing and staring at paintings. Okay, some people might say 'why bother' but I am starting to find that one can get quite a lot out of staring at a painting that maybe television (at least where I am concerned) is becoming somewhat obsolete. The NGV has a pretty good collection, though they do have more than the standard paintings and sculptures that other art galleries seem to collect. Amongst all of these works of art you will also find furniture and other ornaments, including a collection from a number of English manufactures, such as Wedgwood (though I am still not convinced that a plate, no matter how decorative it is, that comes out of a factory can be considered art - in fact my friend and I had a hearty debate over that one point). There is also a small collection of antiques from Ancient Greece, Rome, and Meso-America, though they are crammed away in a couple of small rooms (there are also some things from Ancient Egypt, which includes a sarcophagus, but it's empty state suggests that the mummy may have got up and wondered away a long time ago). There is also an area containing art from Asia, though since I end up spending most of my time wondering around the European collection I tend not to make it to this part of the gallery. I probably should also mention that they also have a number of exhibitions come through, the last one being a collection of Renaissance art from the Royal Spanish Court, and the year before there was a collection of paintings by Monet (and one Renoir, which happened to be a picture of Monet right next to a painting of Renoir, which was painted by - yep, you guessed it, Monet). It is a shame that the impressionist room is so small, though I suspect that if you want to see art by the impressionists you may have to travel all the way to France (which is something that I would consider a possibility).

Went to the NGV Romance was Born exhibition - it was great for kids and even babies! The kids & babies (and ahem young at heart) can draw pictures on iPads and email it to friends and families. Older kids can make a necklace with glitter and ribbons. I want to be a kid too! NGV has a great locker room where u can leave ur prams and awesome space with stained glass where people can sit and rest. They also have a water fountain for refilling bottles which is always nice when you are out and about.

OK, I have to confess that the first time I went to NGV was because I had to use their male room, I went to ask the officer standing in front of the entrance where the toilet was and he helpfully showed me. Then I came out and looked at all the displays exhibiting the gallery while at the same time feeling guilty that the guard only let me use the toile and here I come seeing the entire exhibition for free. Nonetheless, I went through with my sightings and enjoyed the exhibition to its full extent. When coming out the door I went to the reception and confessed only to find out that it was free. It was embarrassing. SInce then, I have been accustomed to taking all my friends and family who either comes here from overseas or interstate and all of them seems to enjoy it. The gallery changes from time to time and there is currently paintings by Claude Monet on display until 8 September by the name of "Monet's Gardens" and this one costs AU$26.00 for adults and there are also concessions for concession card holders and children's tickets.

Seriously, I really can't say much about NGV that hasn't been said before... In this instance when we visited we had a energetic 3 year old with us and I'm telling you that the free children's area was a big hit! It is great to take kids to places filled with educational activities instead of pits of coloured balls. Being from the country her parents were really grateful we took this little one there to have a play. we got to make stop motion movies and dance on a lit up dance floor among other things. I highly recommend NGV, not just for adults you know!

Great one. St Kilda Road is the perfect locale for the main National Gallery of Victoria, otherwise known as NGV International to be located. Make a wish at the fountain to the beautiful entrance of this museum space. Great cloaking facilities are enjoyed, and walk in. There is some free art to enjoy, although when there is a major paid for exhibition; some areas of the gallery can be cut off. The asian art is worth looking at, as well as all the sculpture and pottery. This would be the ideal NGV to visit first before going to the Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square. Carpeted, institutional and traditional. Although upbeat and modern; it gives the Art Gallery of New South Wales a run for its money. If you get bored here; give yourself a break and unwind in one of the parks across the road and come back; give this gallery another chance. Their cafe serves really beautiful sugary cakes. Any art that depicts fashion of a historical nature is also worth a look. inviting and open. It is weird seeing a reflection on that glass near the main entry and exit points of the waterfall; although that makes this attraction beautiful.

This is the first time I have visited NGV International, and it was my first port of call during a short visit to Melbourne :) We didn't come here for the blockbuster exhibition, but rather just to see the permanent collection. This place is fantastic - but what a rabbit warren of a place!!! It is so massive, that I'm sure there were plenty of areas that we couldn't even find - I think the signage is somewhat lacking. Saying that, we still thoroughly enjoyed our time here - highlights for me were the massive tapestries by the Australian Tapestry Workshop in the hall downstairs (one of the reasons I came here in the first place), and the 'Late 19th & early 20th Century Paintings & Decorative Arts Gallery' on Level 2 with a spectacular Barbara Hepworth sculpture ('Eidos') as well as an impressive David Hockney and Mark Rothko. The NGV International is curated in an interesting way - there is a lot of spare space, and a lot of amazing works that are in storage ... saying that, I still found a lot that I loved - and I am hoping that some of my faves are back on display again next time I visit!!

Iconic Melbourne, Victorian and Australian gallery. It's located in an interesting and well set out building on leafy StKilda road just a short walk from the Melbourne CBD. The gallery has an excellent permanent collection and always has interesting exhibitions too. We did the Andy Warhol/Ei Wei Wei exhibition today. And most excellent it was too. The gallery has good meal and snack options. The gift shop too is very good. Depending on your interest, allow about 2-3 hours for your visit here.

George, a middle aged man with buzzed hair and a van dyke beard, is one of the best museum staff members I've come across in the world. He is an avid studier of all the art and historical styles in the gallery, and he can show you where to find whatever you're looking for. And unlike the cold, stern demeanor (with a look like they expect you to shoplift a painting) that some docents are notorious for, George is eager to help with a smile on his face. The fact that the well-publicized Hermitage/Catherine the Great exhibit cost as much as a tribute to the queen herself keeps this budget-savvy traveller from giving the NGV 5 stars. But, with all those bus ads and billboards I don't blame them for wanting to recoup some revenue. With so many free exhibits staffed by such lovely employees, the National Gallery of Victoria is a must-see for anyone who visits or calls Melbourne their home.

NGV International is truly extraordinary. There's an astounding variety of art, sculptures and historical pieces ranging from art from ancient Egyptian tombs to the latest in digital design. The very solid permanent collection is complimented by a diverse selection of temporary exhibitions. There's so many different sections that even after several visits I keep discovering more. I find the Asian art section especially fascinating. If you've got kids in tow there's a lot they'll like, including descriptions in kid friendly language in some sections. I really love seeing happy kids in the galleries. If you want to take a break head into the Great Hall at the back of the foyer. I could spend hours in there on the comfy chairs gazing at the glorious stained glass ceiling. Alternatively, head out into the beautiful gallery gardens where there's more sculptures. The bookshop is also worth a look. Entry to all but occasional special exhibitions is free, but there is donation boxes in the foyer if you'd like to contribute to the gallery's work.

Ah, the NGV International has an excellent selection of shows, and it's a great space. There is room to move, and exhibitions often have a fair bit of seating for those who need it. The rotating exhibitions can cost a bit to enter, though they honour all sorts of concession cards & reciprocal agreements with other museums. I won't review specific shows here, no need, but I will say this: EXCELLENT PARENTS' ROOM! Need a place to change your baby in Melbourne city? It's worth heading down to NGV International -- they have a large parents' room with changing tables, pleasant seating for feeding (and resting), sinks, dim lighting in some sections, a play pen for toddlers, and a microwave. PS: There is also a regular little accessible toilet with a baby change table, but directly opposite is the much larger and considerably nicer parents' room. Seriously recommended.

No matter what the event, NGV is a great place to lose yourself for a few hours. There is so much on that you will need visit multiple times to even scratch the surface. Great on a hot day (AIRCON!). Don't forget to make a wish and throw a coin in the pond.

Quite large, this gallery is filled with pieces that will make you stop for a second to take in. The Pop piece in the Modern section is stand out by itself. It isn't a place you can walk through and see everything in an hour. I was here till closing time, and still have more to see and come back to gawk at. I was impressed since the moment I entered and grazed past the water wall.

The National Gallery of Victoria (International) is a wonderful gallery space: Very modern with lots of clean, sharp edges; wide-open spaces; lots of move-about room throughout the various exhibitions; super clean, tasteful and sophisticated. The layout can be a bit disorienting, with what seems like a myriad of hallways and corridors; however, that only enhances the art of meandering and taking things at a leisurely pace. Jean-Paul Gaultier and David Shrigley both had innovative and provocative exhibitions going on during our visit. What an illuminating and privileged experience it was to catch these two! An outdoors exhibition of "scents" was quite fascinating (although, to be honest, the whole concept failed to coalesce in my opinion). Still, though, it was a refreshing incorporation of bringing art to an outdoor format. The space planning for the permanent Asian gallery on the second level is calming and Zen-like in atmosphere, and flows like a peaceful brook. Beautiful and stunning works of ancient history! Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we were unable to catch the European gallery, nor the galleries on the 3rd and 4th levels. That said, the overall experience was educating and well-worth the 22-bucks! Speaking for myself, I can say, unequivocally, that I cannot wait for a revisit to complete my tour of the NGV International...!!

A stunning gallery with a frequent rotation of national and international exhibitions, ranging a variety of movements that will satisfy broad tastes. Right in town, too, so it's easy to roam a while, then leisurely head off for coffee/lunch. If you're interested in extra perks, an Artbeat NGV membership ($99/year for 18-45'ers) is worth it. Advanced viewings of new exhibitions, discounts at other galleries, access to the Members' Room and generally being more in-the-know about what's happening there has been great. That said, there's still plenty to see for free. Just walk in anytime! Love that. And their gift shop is amazing. I've eyed so many unique gifts/postcards etc that friends have loved. Members get discounts here, too. 4 stars instead of 5 because I wish the Members' Room would reflect the beauty/stylishness of the rest of the gallery, and also because I wish they'd throw more regular ArtBeat events. They're a great way to meet people + hang with art after hours while sipping cocktails.

Beautiful gallery! Free is so nice, I loved walking around here for hours. Plenty of space for the exhibits and not too crowded.

Every now and then my sanity goes out the window and I splurge on the ridiculous food things. In this case it was for $5.50 for a single macaron. Not just any macaron, it was the "Royal" blue macaron done in the spirit of all things Gaultier. This consisted of a cobalt blue macaron with a custard and raspberries place in a crown formation for its filling. It was well over the top and I felt a little decadent and oh so lah-di-dah. My coffee was a Long Black $3.70 and help cut through the sweetness. Yes, those dang raspberries were super sweet!

I was really excited about seeing the Light Works exhibition on Sunday. It was an interesting mixture of work, with some different ideas. While a couple of the items were not to my taste (installations made of Nitrocellulose anyone?) there was plenty to think about. My only complaint would be that there was not more to see as the exhibition only had about twenty works. Well worth catching before it finishes on Sep16.

If you're here for an exhibition and staying in Melbourne cbd...please use public transportation. I think there is a direct tram line to this area..or even better just walk there. I've made the rookie mistake of driving here because I was already on the road with a car..it took me over 1.5hrs to travel less than 3km. Once you get here and depending on which area you want to get to, there's different car parks (if you're driving) I had to get to the National Gallery of Victoria so I went into that car park.. Very convenient and just up the stairs for where I needed to be. But apparently for high demand periods it will get busy and you may not be able to find a spot even in the car park. Biggest tip is to just public transport. I was there for an event and to view Jean Paul Gaultier's exhibition. It was well worth it. Inside NGV service was great and very well organised.

The NGV is Melbourne's premier gallery where most of the renowned art exhibitions showcase. The NGV is an architecturally attractive building, this giant square block stands tall and proud on St. Kilda St. The giant arched doorways have a feature glass wall which water runs down. There are also 2 water feature ponds on either side at the front, where tourists can be seen throwing coins. The inside of this gallery offers a main exhibition area where an entrance fee needs to be paid. There are other minor exhibits on show upstairs that are generally free of charge. The NGV is a large open space, where you can roam freely and take it slow. There is a coat/bag check in at the entrance, as well as a café (that does amazing hot chocolate) on the ground floor. The next floor up offers another café where afternoon tea/high tea can be had. The thing I like the most about the NGV is its gift shop, here you can find a variety of unique and creative bits and bobs. They sell a range of designer items from toys to stationary, cameras to jewelry. I could spend an hour just in this gift shop.