Melbourne Museums & Science

OLD TREASURY BUILDING AND GOLD TREASURY MUSEUM

Corner Spring Street and Macarthur Street, Melbourne. Phone 03 9651 2233. Built in 1858, the city’s first Italian Renaissance building with the majority of Melburnians considering that its elegance has not been surpassed by anything built in Melbourne since. The neoclassical bluestone and sandstone building was built to hold the gold that was pouring into Melbourne from the Ballarat and Bendigo mines. Architect J. J. Clark designed the building when he was only 19 years of age, incorporating subterranean vaults protected by iron bars and foot-thick walls. The Melbourne Exhibition occupies the entire ground floor, taking you from Melbourne’s Aboriginal times to the present with relics from Melbourne past, borrowed from public and private collections. Not to be missed is the “Built on Gold” show staged in the vaults themselves. Opens Monday to Friday from 09:00 am to 05:00 pm, Saturday & Sunday from 10:00 am to 04:00 pm. Admission $AU8.50 adult and $AU5 child.

MELBOURNE MUSEUM

11 Nicholson Street, Melbourne. Phone 131 102 or 03 8341 7777. An innovative museum which opened in its new building in the year 2000. Hands on multi media, performances, activities, interactive displays, living forest gallery, Imax theatre, Aboriginal performances and so much more. Guided tours available in Italian, Greek, Vietnamese, Chinese, Arabic, Croatian, Japanese, Spanish and English. See website for details of special exhibitions and additional information. Opens every day from 10:00 am to 05:00 pm. Admission $AU6 adult, children are free.

SCIENCEWORKS & PLANETARIUM

2 Booker Street, Spotswood. Phone 03 9392 4800. Push it, pull it, spin it, and bang it. Through hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, tours, activities and shows, you will find science has never been quite this much fun. Revel exploring the mysteries of science and technology. It's a great value day out for curious minds and active bodies. The Planetarium uses the latest in digital technology to recreate the night sky upon a 15m-domed ceiling.

MUSEUM OF CHINESE HISTORY

Aka the Chinese Museum: 22 Cohen Place, Melbourne. The museum runs 2-hour walking tours of Chinatown by appointment, costing $AU15 adult and $AU10 child. Opens Sunday to Friday from 10:00 am to 04:30 pm, Saturday from noon to 04:30 pm. Admission for self guided tours $AU5 adult and $AU3 child.

JEWISH HOLOCAUST MUSEUM

13 Selwyn Street, Elsternwick. Melbourne. Opens Monday & Wednesdays from 10:00 am to 04:00 pm, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays from 10:00 am to 02:00 pm, Sundays from 11:00 am to 03:00 pm, closed on Jewish religious holidays.

POLLY WOODSIDE MARITIME MUSEUM

Lorimer Street East near the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. The museum features the restored 1885 sailing barque "Polly Woodside". Opens every day from 10:00 am to 04:00 pm. Admission $AU10 adult and $AU7 child.

ANZ BANKING MUSEUM

380 Collins Street corner of Queen Street, Melbourne. Housed in the late-19th century Gothic Revival ANZ Bank building. Opens Monday to Friday from 09:30 am to 04:00 pm excluding bank holidays, of course! Admission free.

IMMIGRATION MUSEUM

400 Flinders Street near William Street, Melbourne. Located in the Old Customs House building. Opens every day from 10:00 am to 05:00 pm except Good Friday and Christmas Day. Admission $AU6 adult, children free.

JEWISH MUSEUM OF AUSTRALIA

26 Alma Road, St Kilda. Opens Tuesday to Thursdays from 10:00 am to 04:00 pm, Sundays from 11:00 am to 05:00 pm. Admission $AU7 adult, $AU4 student or concession and $AU16 family.

VICTORIA POLICE MUSEUM

Victoria Police Centre, Concourse Level, 637 Flinders Street, west of Spencer Street, Melbourne. Opens Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 04:00 pm. Free admission.

FIRE SERVICES MUSEUM VICTORIA

39 Gisborne Street, corner of Victoria Parade, Melbourne. Opens Fridays from 09:00 am to 03:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 am to 04:00 pm. Admission is free.