Experience Artistic Brilliance at NGV International
Among the myriad of artistic wonders Melbourne has to offer, NGV International stands out as a point of creative brilliance.
Offering free access to the finest in art and design, along with an extensive focus on accommodating accessibility needs, NGV International is worth adding to your must-visit list.
On a recent visit, we enjoy a free guided gallery tour, a tasty lunch at the garden café, and find ourselves in awe of the many ingenious artists.
exploring Melbourne’s NGV International
Upon entering NGV International, we are greeted by a diverse range of art forms that captivate the senses. From sculptures by renowned artists like Elmgreen & Dragset and Maurizio Cattelan to digital animations by emerging talents, every corner of the gallery exudes creativity and innovation.
As we wander through the exhibition halls, we encounter thought-provoking installations, mesmerising films, and interactive displays that invite contemplation and introspection.
Related reading: How to Make the Most of Your Visit to The Ian Potter Centre, NGV Australia
Terrie’s review
I had been to the NGV a few times but never had a guided tour. The Triennial Exhibition was made interesting having a guide explain the various artist types and works. I would not have appreciated the more unusual artwork as much without a guide to share her views and explanations.
Our guide was very engaging and easy to relate to. I would recommend this particular Triennial Exhibition, but I also enjoyed being in the gallery itself, discovering those new things since the last time I visited.
Like the entrance sculptures, the outdoor area, the lovely cafe, and the stained glass ceiling. It was great to see and feel the familiar water on the glass at the front entrance. Having the temporary fire feature included in the water wall was quite intriguing. I would definitely recommend this free outing to our beautiful city of Melbourne.
Free Guided Tours
Whether you are interested in learning about indigenous art, contemporary design, or avant-garde filmmaking, NGV International has something to pique your curiosity.
For visitors looking to enhance their visit, NGV offers a range of guided tours and educational programs. These insightful experiences provide a deeper understanding of the artworks on display, and enrich the cultural journey.
Free guided tours run at least twice daily, as well as various other special events hosted throughout the year as well. No bookings are required.
Christine’s review
I’ve always loved the NGV, but was unaware of the guided tours until I read about them on your website. So I took advantage of this new knowledge when visiting Melbourne last week – it was so interesting!
Definitely something to be squeezed in to every visit to Melbourne.
Women Photographers 1900–1975: A Legacy of Light
NGV International, Ground Level
28 Nov 25 – 3 May 26, ticketed
Opening at NGV International on 28 November 2025, Women Photographers 1900–1975: A Legacy of Light shines a spotlight on the pioneering women who helped shape the story of photography. Spanning seven decades, this remarkable exhibition features the work of more than eighty artists from around the world, showcasing prints, postcards, photobooks and magazines that reveal photography’s power to document, express and transform. From early studio portraits to bold experiments in modernism and social documentary, each image tells a story of creativity and courage in a changing world.
Westwood | Kawakubo
NGV International, Ground Level
7 Dec 25 – 19 Apr 26, ticketed
Coming soon to NGV International, this major exhibition brings together the groundbreaking work of two icons of modern fashion — Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons. Though they began their careers worlds apart in 1970s Britain and Japan, both designers transformed the fashion landscape with their fearless creativity and refusal to conform. Self-taught and fiercely independent, Westwood and Kawakubo challenged conventions of beauty, gender and the body, reshaping not just what we wear but how we think about clothing itself. Through their bold silhouettes, provocative ideas and unwavering individuality, this exhibition reveals how two visionaries redefined fashion as a form of rebellion, expression and art.
What’s Free at NGV
- International Art (NGV International, St Kilda Road site) – Located at NGV International, this gallery houses the Gallery’s International Collection, covering European, Asian, Oceanic and American art. Entry to this core collection is free.
- Australian Art (NGV Australia, Federation Square site) – Located at Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia in the city, this permanent display features Australian and First Nations art, colonial through to contemporary, and is also free to enter.
- Collection Areas within the collection – Within the free collection at NGV International you’ll find multiple sub-areas such as Asian Art, Decorative Arts & Antiquities, International Painting, Photography, Prints & Drawings, etc — all part of the freely accessible collection.
One of the standout works in NGV International’s permanent collection is Édouard Vuillard’s Mme Bonnard with her dog at rue de Douai (1907, detail). Acquired through the Felton Bequest in 1955, this intimate painting captures a quiet domestic moment with delicate colour, rich texture, and a subtle sense of warmth. Vuillard’s use of patterned surfaces and soft light draws viewers into the scene, offering both a visual delight and a glimpse into early 20th‑century Parisian life.
It’s a perfect example of the treasures you can enjoy in the gallery’s free-entry collection, alongside European masters, Asian art, and other highlights that span centuries and continents.
NGV Membership
If you plan to visit the NGV regularly across its different locations, a membership could be well worth considering. Concession rates are available, and membership includes one complimentary entry each year to a ticketed exhibition.
Perks for members go beyond exhibitions. You’ll enjoy discounts in the NGV design store, access to the Members Lounge—complete with tea and coffee facilities—and the option to bring along a guest each visit. It’s a handy spot to enjoy a quiet break if you’d prefer to bring your own snack rather than queue at the café. Members are also invited to special exhibition previews, gallery openings and exclusive talks, making it a rewarding way to connect more deeply with the NGV. Find out more here.
NGV Triennial
NGV International serves as a sanctuary for art enthusiasts, offering a flood of exhibitions and events to ignite the imagination. The NGV Triennial, a biennial exhibition, is a testament to the gallery’s commitment to presenting cutting-edge artistic expressions.
Featuring over 100 curious projects by 120 artists, designers, and collectives, the NGV Triennial is a visual feast that spans all four levels of the gallery. As a visitor, you will be enveloped in a powerful and moving portrait of the world today, experiencing art in its most evocative forms.
Through the lens of contemporary art, you can explore themes of identity, sustainability, and social justice, gaining new insights and perspectives along the way. Each piece makes you stop and think twice about the artists message.
The NGV Triennial ran in 2024, and is expected to return again in 2027.
Dining at NGV
The Gallery Kitchen provides a range of easy grab-and-go food options which we found to be healthy and fresh. We took our lunch to the garden outside where several tables and chairs provide a delightful alfresco setting.
For a more luxurious experience, the Tea Room on level one has delectable handmade cakes, and the Garden Restaurant offers a seasonal a la carte menu overlooking the gardens.
Previously at NGV
Read about some of the past exhibitions we’ve enjoyed at NGV Melbourne:
- Pharaoh at NGV: Don’t Miss Ancient Egypt in Melbourne
- Yayoi Kusama Exhibition Comes to Melbourne’s NGV this Summer
- French Impressionism at NGV International
Accessibility at NGV International
With its guided tours, workshops, or interactive sessions, NGV International strives to make the gallery experience enriching and accessible for all visitors.
With accessible entrances and lifts throughout the building, it is easy to navigate the exhibition spaces. Wheelchair hire is available. Additionally, the museum’s layout is spacious and barrier-free, which ensures smooth passage between artworks and installations.
NGV International also provides accessible toilets equipped with handrails and ample space for manoeuvring. What’s more, these facilities are conveniently located on each level of the gallery.
For visitors with visual or hearing impairments, the gallery offers a range of services to enhance their experience. The museum provides large print guides and audio guides for selected exhibitions and signage throughout the museum is clear and legible.
In addition, NGV International welcomes guide dogs and assistance animals. Staff members are trained to assist visitors with accessibility needs, by providing guidance and support as required. Find out more on their website here.
Getting there
The nearest train station to NGV International is Flinders Street Station, located approximately 500 metres away. You can easily catch a tram (3-3A, 6, 67, or 70) or bus (207, 220, 246, 251, 302) along St Kilda Road. Additionally, there are paid parking facilities available nearby.
Tidbits for visiting NGV International
- Free entry to the permanent exhibitions;
- Free guided walking tours run daily, no booking required;
- Audio guides are available at $7;
- Photographs are permitted inside the exhibition;
- Quietest times are Tuesdays and Thursdays, either at 10 am on opening, or at 1 pm or 3 pm;
- A cloak room is available free of charge for coats and small bags;
- Enjoy an easy lunch from the cafe and sit on a table out in the gardens;
- Other dining options include the Garden Restuarant or Tea Rooms;
- Regular visitors can consider an NGV Membership for various perks;
- Ramp access, lifts and accessible toilets;
- Large print guides and audio guides available;
- Wheelchairs are available for free hire from the Information Desk;
- Travellers Aid at Flinders Street Station can assist with mobility equipment hire if needed;
- NGV offers Relaxed Sessions, designed to be quieter, less crowded, and more accessible for anyone who’d prefer a gentler experience.
- The NGV website provides very useful and detailed information on all of its accessible features. Read it here.
- Plan a visit to NGV Australia as well, but you might need another whole day for this;
- Located 500 metres from Flinders St Station, with buses and trams stopping nearby;
- Various parking facilities close by.
NGV International
180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3006
(03) 8620 2222 https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/
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