Melbourne has one of the richest gallery scenes in Australia, and the inner north is where the independent end of it thrives. Between the major institutions like the NGV and ACCA and the dozens of small galleries scattered through Fitzroy and Collingwood, there is more to see than you could cover in a week.
The NGV is Australia’s oldest and most visited public art gallery, and admission to the permanent collection is free. There are two sites: NGV International on St Kilda Road (which houses the international collection) and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square (which focuses on Australian art, including one of the most significant collections of First Nations art in the country).
The NGV runs major temporary exhibitions throughout the year that regularly draw large crowds. These are ticketed and worth booking in advance. The NGV Triennial, held every three years, is a free exhibition of contemporary art and design from around the world and is one of the city’s biggest cultural events.
From Fitzroy and Collingwood, NGV International is about 4 kilometres south (15 minutes by tram), and the Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square is about 3 kilometres (10 minutes by tram or a 25-minute walk).
ACCA in Southbank is another free gallery worth visiting. It focuses on contemporary and experimental art and runs a rotating programme of exhibitions. It is smaller than the NGV but consistently shows ambitious, challenging work.
This is where Melbourne’s art scene gets really interesting for visitors staying in the inner north. Fitzroy and Collingwood have dozens of independent galleries, artist-run spaces, and commercial galleries within walking distance of each other. Many of them are concentrated along Gertrude Street, Smith Street, and Johnston Street.
These galleries show everything from emerging local artists to established names, and most change their exhibitions monthly. On any given weekend, you can walk a loop through the inner north and see five or six different shows without spending a cent on entry.
Some worth looking out for include Gertrude Contemporary on Gertrude Street, Daine Singer, and the various artist-run initiatives that pop up in warehouse spaces throughout Collingwood. The scene is constantly evolving, which is part of what makes it worth revisiting.
Every Saturday and Sunday, the Rose Street Artists’ Market in Fitzroy brings together around 100 stalls of local makers selling art, ceramics, jewellery, prints, and clothing. It is a good way to see what local artists are producing and to pick up original work directly from the maker.
Most galleries in Fitzroy and Collingwood are open Thursday to Sunday. Gertrude Street is the best starting point for a gallery walk. The major institutions (NGV, ACCA) are open daily. Check exhibition listings before you go, as temporary shows at the NGV can sell out.
The inner north is the perfect base for exploring Melbourne’s gallery scene on foot. Read our Collingwood guide: https://artistabodes.com.au/collingwood-melbourne-guide/ or find your stay at https://artistabodes.com.au/search-results/
