Visiting the NGV

The National Gallery of Victoria is the anchor of Melbourne's art scene. It was founded in 1861 and, as the NGV says, it is Australia's oldest public art gallery. Today its collection is displayed across two sites near the Yarra: NGV International on St Kilda Road and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square. The NGV says entry to the State Collection is free, with some exhibitions ticketed. That's a lot of art for no cost, and it can be overwhelming. This guide helps you choose where to start, plan your time and get the most from a visit.

Two sites, two collections

NGV International

On St Kilda Road, just south of the river, NGV International displays the international collection, spanning European old masters, Asian art, decorative arts, fashion and textiles, photography, design and contemporary art. The building, opened in 1968 and later renovated, is known for its bluestone facade, the water wall at the entrance and the Great Hall with its coloured glass ceiling, where many visitors lie on the floor to look up.

The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia

At Federation Square, opposite Flinders Street Station, The Ian Potter Centre is dedicated to Australian art. It covers First Nations art, colonial art, the Heidelberg School, modernism and contemporary Australian art. If you're interested in Australian art history, this is the place to start. Our guides to the Heidelberg School and First Peoples art give useful background.

Choosing where to start

If you only have a few hours:

• for Australian art, go to The Ian Potter Centre;
• for a broad international survey, go to NGV International;
• for a specific exhibition, check where it's on and whether it needs a ticket;
• for children, look for family programs and kids' spaces, which the NGV often runs alongside major exhibitions.

The two sites are a short walk apart across Princes Bridge, so you can visit both in a day if you pace yourself.

Planning your visit

• Check opening hours and any late openings or closures on the NGV website.
• Check what's on. Collection displays rotate, and major exhibitions change several times a year.
• Book ticketed exhibitions in advance where possible, especially on weekends and holidays.
• Pick a few highlights rather than trying to see everything.
• Take breaks. Both sites have places to sit, and there are cafes nearby.
• Check accessibility information if needed, including lifts, wheelchairs and quieter times.

Making the most of the collection

A big collection rewards a focused approach. Try:

• one room, slowly. Spend twenty minutes in a single gallery and look properly.
• a theme. Follow portraits, landscapes, a period or a material through the building.
• a free tour or talk, if offered, for an expert's perspective.
• the labels. They often explain context, technique and the story behind a work.
• sketching. Drawing a work, even badly, makes you look harder. Follow any rules about materials.

Exhibitions

The NGV presents major ticketed exhibitions as well as free exhibitions drawn from the collection and loans. Large summer and winter exhibitions can be busy; going early, late or on weekdays helps. The NGV Triennial, a large free exhibition of contemporary art and design held every three years, has been a major event in recent years. Check the NGV website for current and upcoming exhibitions.

Visiting with children

The NGV runs programs for children and families, often linked to major exhibitions, and both sites can be good for kids if you keep visits short and active. Ideas:

• let children choose a favourite work in each room;
• look for colours, animals or faces;
• bring a small sketchbook;
• plan a break by the water wall or in Federation Square.

Etiquette

• Don't touch artworks, even sculptures, unless signs invite you to.
• Keep a respectful distance, especially with bags and backpacks; you may be asked to cloak large bags.
• Follow photography rules, which vary between collection displays and exhibitions. Flash is usually not allowed.
• Keep voices down in quieter spaces.

Beyond the NGV

The NGV is a starting point. Nearby, ACCA in Southbank presents contemporary exhibitions with free entry, and the laneways of the CBD offer street art. Our guide to contemporary art spaces and our self-guided art walks help you continue the day. Our art day planner can put it all into a timetable.

Highlights to look for

Collection displays change, so we don't promise any particular work is on view. Still, a few things are reliably worth looking for:

• the Great Hall ceiling at NGV International, designed by artist Leonard French;
• the water wall at the St Kilda Road entrance, which many visitors touch as they arrive;
• the Heidelberg School paintings at The Ian Potter Centre, when on display;
• First Nations art at The Ian Potter Centre;
• the decorative arts and design collections at NGV International, from historic furniture to contemporary design.

Check the NGV's collection online if you want to see a particular work, and ask staff whether it's on display.

Quieter times

Weekday mornings are often quieter than weekends and school holidays. Major exhibitions can be busiest on weekends and in their final weeks. If you prefer calm, plan around these times and head first to areas away from the main exhibition.

Food and breaks

Both sites have cafes and places to rest, and there are many options in Federation Square, Southbank and the CBD. Taking a break halfway through helps you see more, and come back with fresh eyes.

Talks, tours and programs

The NGV runs talks, tours, lectures, family programs and special events. Some are free, others ticketed. They can add a lot to a visit, especially for major exhibitions. Check the NGV website for the current program.

Membership

If you live in Melbourne or plan to visit often, NGV membership may offer benefits such as exhibition entry and events. Check the NGV website for current options.

Visiting with limited time

If you have only an hour, choose one site and one or two areas, such as the Great Hall and a single collection floor at NGV International, or the Heidelberg School and First Nations galleries at The Ian Potter Centre. Seeing a few things well beats rushing through everything.

Getting there

Both sites are close to Flinders Street Station and served by many tram routes. NGV International is on St Kilda Road, a short walk south across Princes Bridge from Federation Square. Check public transport information for current routes, and the NGV website for accessibility, parking and drop-off details.

Bags and cloaking

Large bags, backpacks, umbrellas and some other items may need to be cloaked before you enter exhibition spaces. Travelling light makes a visit easier.

Learning before you go

The NGV publishes essays, videos and collection information online. Reading about an exhibition or a few works before your visit can make the experience richer, especially for major exhibitions. Our guides to the Heidelberg School and First Peoples art are a good start for The Ian Potter Centre.

Key points

• The NGV, founded in 1861, is Australia's oldest public art gallery.
• NGV International shows international art; The Ian Potter Centre shows Australian art.
• Entry to the State Collection is free; some exhibitions are ticketed.
• Check hours and what's on, pick highlights and take breaks.
• The two sites are a short walk apart, so you can combine them.