State Library Victoria Tours

Name: State Library Victoria Tours
Address: 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, AU
Rating: 4.8

4.8

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Tour

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Join these exclusive guided tours and experience State Library Victoria's heritage spaces before the doors open to the public.

Guided by State Library Victoria storytellers, embark on a journey through one of Australia's most magnificent spaces. From the Library's iconic Dome and hidden spaces to its magnificent galleries and latest exhibition, Creative Acts.

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Available Tours

State Library Victoria Unlocked: A Guided Tour Before the Doors Open

Join an exclusive morning guided tour and experience State Library Victoria's grand Dome and hidden spaces before the doors open to the public. Advance bookings essential. Ever heard of the 'Chief Shusher'? Wonder what's buried beneath the Library's floors? Or gazed up at the library Dome before the crowds? On this early access tour, you will explore the Library's magnificent heritage spaces and catacombs hidden beneath the library floors, discover the treasure trove of original card catalogues, and uncover one of Melbourne's most infamous relationships between Library founder Redmond Barry and the bushranger Ned Kelly. Find a rare moment of quiet in the iconic Dome, soak in the architecture, and even take a seat where the 'Shusher' once reigned.

$39 per person

Creative Acts Guided Exhibition Tour

Join an exclusive guided tour with curator insights into Creative Acts; State Library Victoria's latest exhibition that showcases artists and their inspirations. How does the third busiest library in the world curate an exhibition? With more than six million objects to choose from, where does a curator start and what sparked the idea for Creative Acts? Embark on a journey through gallery and exhibition spaces, uncovering treasures from the Library's vast collection. Guided by State Library Victoria storytellers, discover how the objects held in the collection both illuminate our shared past and spark stories that can inspire, challenge and generate creativity. Gain a curatorial insight into the Creative Acts exhibition, an ambitious display of nearly 600 collection items, from new commissions by visionary Australian creators to collection highlights from the Library.

$39 per person

Two people wandering through Rebel Heart exhibition

Exhibition and Back-of-House Guided Tour

With more than 4.5 million objects to choose from, where does the Library start for an exhibition? What treasures lie underneath the Library's Dome? Guided by State Library Victoria storytellers, gain exclusive insight into Rebel Heart: Love letters and other declarations, an exciting new display exploring love through the Library's extraordinary archive of soul-baring letters, intimate diaries and rare manuscripts, amplified in powerful new music commissions. Descend underneath the iconic Dome as you are led into key collection spaces usually off-limits to the public, unlocking treasures dating back to the 1800s. Learn about how the Library's grand gallery spaces hold incredible collections of love stories - woven through the displays of people, places and communities that have shaped Victoria.