Immigration Museum

The Immigration Museum on Flinders Street tells the story of the people who came to Victoria from every corner of the world, from the gold rush Chinese to the post-war European displaced persons to contemporary refugees. It occupies the Old Customs House, a handsome 1870s bluestone building that was the first port of call for many arriving immigrants — which gives the exhibitions a particular resonance.

The personal stories are the heart of it: recorded testimonies, photographs, and objects that make the history concrete rather than abstract. The Tribute Garden, an outdoor space commemorating the contributions of immigrant communities, is a quiet and thoughtful addition. The museum sits on the western edge of the CBD, a short walk from Flinders Street Station, and entry is charged.

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A story
The Old Customs House that holds the Immigration Museum processed arriving goods and, indirectly, arriving people for over a century. When it opened in 1873, Melbourne was one of the busiest ports in the world — the gold rush had made it briefly the wealthiest city per capita on earth, and ships arrived constantly from Europe, China, and across the Pacific. The building's Long Room, where customs officers worked, is now one of the main gallery spaces and carries that layered history in its architecture.

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