The building was designed by architect A.L. Smith and completed in 1876 to serve as the city's customs and excise headquarters.
The museum's Long Room features original coffered ceilings and neoclassical detailing from its time as a bustling government hub.
It holds a significant collection of 'arrival objects' donated by migrants, ranging from personal heirlooms to professional tools.
The site hosts a permanent 'Identity and Belonging' gallery that uses multimedia to explore the multifaceted nature of Australian identity.
The structure is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register for its architectural and historical significance to the maritime history of Melbourne.
The Immigration Museum is housed in the Old Customs House, a 19th-century Renaissance Revival building in Melbourne. It features permanent and rotating multimedia exhibits detailing the diverse migration stories of people who have settled in Victoria. The museum focuses on personal narratives, capturing the experiences of individuals from various cultural backgrounds. The site includes the restored Long Room, which served as the primary processing center for immigrants arriving by sea. The exhibits utilize interactive oral histories, archival documents, and immersive film installations. Visitors can explore the impact of specific migration policies, including the White Australia policy and post-WWII displacement. It serves as a social history institution dedicated to the preservation of Australia's multicultural heritage.
The interior of the historic Long Room, known for its grand scale and high-ceilinged neoclassical architecture.
Check the museum's official website for current temporary exhibition schedules before visiting.
Allow extra time to read the lengthy personal testimonials embedded in the multimedia stations.
Visit the gift shop for locally sourced products and literature related to Australian migration history.
Rushing through the exhibits, as the core content relies on detailed personal narratives and video accounts that require focused time.
Generally open daily, but occasionally closed on specific public holidays observed in Victoria.
