Arts Centre, Melbourne

Come for the peace and serenity.

Or come for the history and the beautiful displays and paintings.

Ian Potter Centre
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Federation Square
Corner of Russell St and Flinders St, Melbourne

open 10 am - 5 pm
Tuesday to Sunday, closed Mondays
Open all publich holidays except
Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day (ope 1pm - 5pm on Anzac Day)

This is Australia's finest art gallery for mine. Though I can't show you pictures of the inside, the tower is unmissable, even in a high rise city like Melbourne.
How it came to be so highly regarded is a lesson in common sense. One of the main reasons was not only a bequest just after the turn of the 20th century but how that bequest was used. See my general tips (NGOV) for full details.
A substantial sum came into the gallery's hands but they wisely didn't rush out and buy paintings. No, they invested it, watched their money grow and purchased when the right opportunity arose. This is how you get to view a Tiepolo, currently valued at $300,000,000, on the walls of this gallery. I had flown all the way to Italy and thence to Vicenza in the hope of seeing his frescoes but to no avail as viewing was closed during my stay but, all the time one of his most famous works was in my own backyard so to speak.
This fine work is visible from two rooms away and it just gets better as you get closer. I was over the moon not only with the quality of this work but of the general standard of the place.
They have over 15,000 works to choose from and, in the early days after the bequest the Russian Revolution occurred and many fine works came on the market, some of which were snapped up by this very gallery.
I find it amazing that VT and the local Official Visitors Guide can't be bothered mentioning it. Fortunately its fame is such that it hasn't deterred the thousands of visitors that check it out each year.
A must visit on your Melbourne itinerary; for me the number one thing to see.

I loved this spire! So graceful and elegant looking, and really pretty all lit up at night. Night time is definitely the best time to go see this much-photographed Melbourne landmark. The 160 metre high spire is actually part of the Melbourne Arts Centre - home to the State Theatre and some smaller exhibition galeries. Right on the Yarra River by Princess Bridge, come along at night and see the spire lit up on one side of the river and Flinders Street Station on the other with the rest of the city as a twinkling backdrop.

There is also a Sunday market here - I went to Saint Kilda but I wish I'd had time to see the market here too as I've heard you can pick up some gorgeous jewellery here. Next time.

Nestled between the Hamer Hall (concert hall) and the NGV International is the main Melbourne arts centre. It's distinctive tower can be seen from various vantage points round the city and is frequently lit at night in differing colours. The building itself is nothing exciting - a functional building with a number of auditoria, small gallery spaces and cafes, restaurants and bars. But the program is diverse, ranging from opera, ballet, contemporary dance, theatre (currently the home of the Melbourne Theatre Co) and is the focal point of the Melbourne International Arts Festival.

Walking along the Yarra, I was totally fascinated by this building! What is it? .....Took a pic anyway. Later, after buying a Steve Parish (famous Aussie photographer) little momento book of Melbourne, I realised that it is the Melbourne Arts Centre. A place I didn't get a chance to see because of the short duration I was there. Well this is definately on my 'must see' list for next time in Melbourne!! What a beautiful architecture!!

High level International Art Exhibition from the....See my Melbourne page please ...Gallery of the Netherlands.. An amazing collection of their most valuable works is coming to Victoria.
Dates approx June/JulyAug/ 2005.

Victorian Arts Centre is made up of a complex of buildings on the south bank of the Yarra. Three theatres below ground, the State Theatre, home to the Australian Ballet, the Playhouse and a studio space plus the Concert Hall is part of a centre that also houses the Performing Arts Museum. You can take a tour of the complex which is really quite fascinating. You will have a greater appreciation of the colours and artwork also by having it all explained to you. I have great memories of shows and concerts that I attended there.

The spire can be seen for miles around Melbourne especially at night when it is lit up and it is a well known landmark. At night, birds flock together and fly round and round the spire (at least I think they are birds).