Immigration Museum

Overview

The Immigration Museum tells the stories of people who have migrated to Victoria from around the world. Housed in the beautifully restored Old Customs House, it explores journeys, identities, and the multicultural fabric of Melbourne.

Highlights

• The Long Room: A magnificent 30-metre Renaissance Revival hall with ornate plasterwork, originally used for customs transactions in the 1870s.
• Personal Stories: Interactive displays featuring real objects, letters, and oral histories from immigrants spanning 200 years.
• Identity Gallery: A thought-provoking exhibition exploring how race, religion, gender, and disability shape identity in Australia.

History

The Old Customs House was built between 1856 and 1876 and served as Melbourne's main customs facility during the gold rush era. It was repurposed as the Immigration Museum in 1998.

Visitor Tips

• Waterfront Location: Located on Flinders Street near the Yarra, it pairs well with a Southbank walk.
• Temporary Exhibitions: Check the website for rotating exhibitions that dive deeper into specific communities.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.