Everyday Adventure at Melbourne Museum: Explore Dinosaurs, Bugs, Forests and More!

Nestled in the beautiful Carlton Gardens, Melbourne Museum is an award-winning museum brimming with family-friendly adventures!

This living, breathing hub of discovery brings science, history, culture and nature all together under one roof, and kids 16 and under get free general admission to Melbourne Museum, so you can explore again and again.

Everyday Adventure at Melbourne Museum: Explore Dinosaurs, Bugs, Forests and More!

Prepare for a day where curiosity runs wild! At Melbourne Museum, families can journey from the depths of prehistoric time to the treetops of Victoria’s mountain forests, meet live creatures great and small, and explore stories that have shaped our past and present.

From hands-on fun for kids in the Children’s Gallery to jaw-dropping dinosaur encounters, buzzing insect worlds, and tranquil spaces that reconnect you with the natural environment, there’s something for every age and interest.

These three permanent exhibitions deserve a spot at the top of your must-do list:

The Home of Dinosaurs and Horridus the Triceratops

Melbourne Museum is the ultimate Home of Dinosaurs, where you can stand face-to-face with Horridus, the most complete real dinosaur fossil in Australia. Step into the prehistoric world as Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs takes you on an immersive journey back 67 million years to the Cretaceous period. From the moment you enter, you’ll be surrounded by epic landscapes, fascinating fossil displays, and the story of how Horridus lived, thrived and met his fate.

Discover the awe-inspiring Dinosaur Walk ​​​​​​where 13 prehistoric skeletons are on display, and explore Gandel Gondwana Garden, an outdoor paleontological gallery exploring the land before time. You can also take a Home of Dinosaurs Tour! It’s an awe-inspiring experience for dino lovers, young and old, and it’s only at Melbourne Museum.

Discover the Tiny (But Mighty) World of Bugs Alive!

Marvel at nature’s tiniest engineers. In Bugs Alive!, you’ll see live insects, spiders and other invertebrates alongside dazzling displays of butterflies and beetles. Peek into the lives of green tree ants, watch a mantid on the hunt, and meet some of the world’s largest and most unusual creepy-crawlies.

Kids will love the Insect Hall of Fame, while the Big Bug Theatre busts common myths about bugs and spiders. With live displays changing regularly, there’s always something new to see!

Step Inside the Living Forest Gallery

Right in the heart of the museum, the Forest Gallery transports you to Victoria’s cool mountain landscapes. Wander past towering eucalypts, hear the calls of native birds, and spot animal residents like Tawny Frogmouths, Satin Bowerbirds and freshwater crayfish.

The forest changes with the seasons, so each visit offers something new, from spring blossoms to fungi after rain. Look out for Biik Milboo Dhumba | Country Is Always Talking, where Eastern Kulin Nation voices share deep connections to Country.

Melbourne Museum is open every day, so plan your family adventure and experience dinosaurs, bugs and forests all in one fascinating place!

Where:  Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson St, Carlton
When:   Daily | 9 am - 5 pm
Cost:     General Admission - Adult $15, Children under 16 FREE

Find out more and book now at Melbourne Museum.

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