/ Current Exhibitions

Gardens of Earthly Delight: The Story of Melbourne's Public Gardens
FINAL WEEKS! - Must close 26 February

Gardens of Earthly Delight presents the story of Melbourne’s public parks & gardens, as told through their historic development. The exhibition focuses on the gardens which encircle the CBD – Carlton, Fitzroy, Flagstaff, Treasury, Queen Victoria, Alexandra and Royal Botanic Gardens, and Birrarung Marr.

Historic photographs are shown alongside contemporary aerial photographs of each garden. The exhibition also identifies key events in the gardens’ history, and the gardeners and bureaucrats who helped shaped them. The transition from wasteland to wonderland has been anything but smooth for most of the gardens, and the exhibition places Melbourne’s major gardens in an historical and social context, by illustrating their uses through the ages.

The exhibition features works by contemporary Melbourne artists Rowena Martinich and Rebecca Odgers, which are complemented by displays of historical and ephemeral gardens material.

Exhibition Partner

The City of Melbourne is proud to support this exhibition featuring some of Melbourne's most loved parks and gardens.

Exhibition Supporters            

Making Melbourne

Tracing the story of the city from early settlement to the present day.
Featuring Landmark by Charles Robb, an inverted statue of Lieutenant-Governor Charles La Trobe, currently installed in Gordon Reserve opposite Old Treasury.

Built on Gold

The story of Victoria’s gold, its journey and legacy in the years 1852-1862.

Growing Up in the Old Treasury

Recreating the caretaker’s apartments, as occupied 1916-1928.

Gold and Prosperity

The Vizard Foundation collection of colonial gold and silver.

/ Coming Up

Signs of the Times
11 March – 28 May

Over 150 years of Melbourne street signs, billboards, posters and typefaces form the basis for this revealing and colourful journey through the secret history of Melbourne’s visual culture.

Signs of the Times presents fragments and objects from Melbourne’s past, once revered and considered integral to the spirit of the city, but now abandoned, lost, destroyed or simply forgotten.

The exhibition includes early neon signs and historical signage, together with an exploration of the changing use of typeface, contemporary and modern artworks inspired by signs, and the fight to save Melbourne’s historical signage.

/ Events

Thursday 9 February
2.00pm
Simon Says
Join Ian Watts for an informal talk about The Adelaide Hunt Club Cup c.1881, currently on display in Gold & Prosperity.
Free with entry.

Wednesday 15 February
10.30am
Collins Street: From Gold Rush to Boom Town
Join Isabel Simpson for an informative walking tour, from the City Museum to the ANZ Gothic Bank.
$22.00 (includes coffee)

Thursday 23 February
11.00am
Charles La Trobe and his Australian Garden
With Helen Botham.
$10.00 (includes museum entry)