Koorie Heritage Trust Indigenous Art Gallery Melbourne
Tucked away in the bustling heart of Federation Square, the Koorie Heritage Trust art gallery is a hidden gem that offers visitors a unique glimpse into the rich culture and history of the First Peoples of South Eastern Australia.
Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this Indigenous art gallery offers an enriching experience that both provokes thought and dazzles visually.
It’s a must-see for anyone who values Aboriginal art, culture, and storytelling.
Related reading: Melbourne’s Indigenous Heart: Koorie Heritage Trust Walk, Gallery and Shop
KHT Current Indigenous Exhibitions Melbourne
Occupation studies: ngayanhurra bayarral Birrarung (they tried to tame Birrarung)
Experience ngayanhurra bayarral Birrarung, an evocative audiovisual installation by Tahlia Palmer and Jasper Cohen-Hunter. This work critically examines the colonial alterations of the Birrarung (Yarra River), emphasising the enduring connection of the Wurundjeri people to this living waterway through powerful sound and imagery.
On display until 13 September 2026 at the Koorie Heritage Trust, Fed Square.
Marjie’s review
If it’s a while since you’ve visited the Koorie Heritage Trust (KHT) in the Birrarung Building at Federation Square, now is a good time.
Why now? Federation Square and its surrounding locations are beautifully lit as the Rising Festival kicks off, the KHT has been particularly worth visiting since its redesign in 2023 and now there is a new multichannel audiovisual artwork to see, right here next to the river Birrarung, (meaning“ River of Mists”.).
I learned so much about the river, that I used to call the Yarra, from the artwork ngayanhurra bayarral Birrarung, via its three audio visual screens and its other exhibits.
It was a discovery of the cultural importance of the Birrarung, as its traditional owners call it, including sad news about characteristics of the Birrarung that had completely disappeared. For example, on a previous riverwalk of my own, I’d seen a sign – a “guerilla” sign I suspect – that said, “In 1788 Queen Street Bridge was a waterfall.”
At the KHT, I learned in a more formal way, that a natural bridge at this point had once served as a place for significant Aboriginal cultural events. And that the bridge and its waterfall had served as a boundary between brackish and fresh water, providing different healthy fish populations for the indigenous people. Alas, the bridge and the falls were dynamited by the white population in 1883, to allow ships to come further up the river.
The artwork yields many other stories like this.
My viewing of the artwork was definitely complemented by its location within the Birrarung-facing building housing the Koorie Heritage Trust, where a stainless-steel ceiling motif of the river, can reflect the river itself, on its very own rippling surface.
I found that this visit to the artwork and the KHT was a pivotal experience. Why pivotal you may ask? It’s because from now on, for me the river that runs through Melbourne, will forever be the Birrarung.
Ray Thomas: Yeerung’s Journey
Experience the quiet power of art as both witness and healing in Yeerung’s Journey, a major solo exhibition of paintings, carvings and personal belongings by Brabrawooloong Gunnai artist, Ray Thomas.
Spanning more than forty years, Yeerung’s Journey offers insight into Ray’s evolution as both an artist and a cultural leader. Working across painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking and, more recently, large-scale murals, Ray has developed a distinctive and powerful visual language grounded in family, Country, memory and lived experience.
Now showing until Sunday 9 August 2026
Terrie’s review
I’ve been to the Koorie Heritage Trust exhibitions several times now and will make this a regular stopping place on my outings in Melbourne. It’s so easy to get off the train at Flinders Street and walk over to Federation Square to the KHT.
The artwork is always inspiring. I love the deep, meaningful stories that accompany each piece. My most memorable visit was to see the “Spirit of the Animals” exhibition, which included both paintings and sculptures. Animals are an important part of Creation and Creation stories for First Peoples and are considered very sacred within First Nations and clan groups.
Koorie Heritage Trust Permanent Collection
Visitors can explore the rotating displays on the 3rd floor of the Yarra Building at Federation Square, which feature unique items that reflect the cultural heritage and ongoing journey of these communities.
The open storage display drawers invite a deeper understanding of the First Peoples of Victoria and their significant contributions to the cultural tapestry of Australia.
Touring Exhibition JXSH MVIR Forever I Live
The Koorie Heritage Trust presents “JXSH MVIR: Forever I Live,” a touring exhibition celebrating the late artist Josh Muir. It explores themes of cultural identity, colonization, and personal loss through Muir’s powerful artworks, highlighting his impact on First Peoples art. Find out more here.
Shop KHT
Explore the Koorie Heritage Trust Shop for a truly distinctive shopping experience.
By supporting the Koorie Shop, visitors not only take home a piece of Aboriginal artistry but also contribute to the preservation and promotion of Koorie heritage.
The Koorie Heritage Trust also runs an informative walking tour. Read more about our experience on the tour here.
Tidbits for Visiting Koorie Heritage Trust
- Koorie Heritage Trust is open daily from 10 am – 5 pm;
- Entry is free;
- Stop by Shop KOORIE for art, gifts and homewares;
- We highly recommend doing the Koorie Heritage Trust walking tour;
- Nearby dining options we recommend are Chocolate Buddha, Riverland and Brunetti Oro.
Accessibility Koorie Heritage Trust
- The KHT gallery, shop, and walking tours are wheelchair accessible;
- Access to the Level 2 and 3 galleries is via an escalator (going up only) or 23 steps with handrails.
- Lift access and accessible bathrooms are available;
- Koorie Heritage Trust is located at Birrarung Building, Federation Square;
- Getting there is easy via public transport within 200 metres of Flinders Street Station.
Koorie Heritage Trust
Yarra Building, Federation Square, Cnr Swanston & Flinders Streets, Melbourne
(03) 8662 6300 koorieheritagetrust.com.au
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