Melbourne Museum

A glorious, sprawling space filled with themed displays, interactive areas, IMAX cinemas and no end of surprises, Melbourne Museum rewards first-time visitors and repeat patrons equally.

For recent initiates, the sheer scope of the permanent galleries (including one just for children) can be intimidating, but for those who aren't intent on digesting it all on one visit, the greatest treasures can be the tiniest and, like history itself, the most enlightening of surprises lurk in the dimmest corners and darker recesses.

Victoria's history is vividly evoked through artefacts, art and well-carved prose. Its ancient past is rekindled in the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, which presents Indigenous stories through objects, music and the voices of those past and present. Victoria's recent history is equally enjoyable, with the stuffed hide of Depression-era hero thoroughbred racehorse Phar Lap still the most popular exhibits with young and old alike.

Even the littlest Melburnians can get amongst the fun. Melbourne Museum opens an hour early on Tuesdays to Saturdays between 9am and 10am for a special sensory learning program aimed at one to three-year-olds. Play Box, presented by Biostime, introduces these kids to the museum with specific developmental programming. Bookings are recommended.

Don't leave without a visit to the taxidermy room and the Dinosaur Walk space. As well as the traditional pinned insects and dinosaurs, the Museum also has an open-air atrium teeming with plants and animals absorbing and refracting light. Stuffy this museum certainly ain't.