National Sports Museum, Melbourne

Sport is like a religion in Australia and at the National Sports Museum you can learn all about the nation’s love affair with sport and some of its greatest athletic triumphs. The museum is located inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground, affectionately known as the MCG. Dedicated to Australian sport, there are displays and exhibitions relating chiefly to Australian football, cricket and the Summer Olympics. Other displays also reflect upon sporting achievements in tennis, netball, rugby union and league, golf, soccer and basketball. Since the Australian Racing Museum was absorbed into the National Sports Museum in 2010, there are also many displays that relate to horse racing.

There are plenty of interactive displays along with important sporting memorabilia, which fascinates kids and adults alike. The museum is located on two levels and has around 2500 pieces on display. Some of the best-known sporting memorabilia on display include the Waterford Crystal Ashes cricket trophy; baggy green caps of several Australian test cricketers and gold medals from several of Australia’s Olympians including Cathy Freeman and Edwin Flack – who was Australia’s first gold medal winner. Interactive displays give visitors the chance to try out their athletic prowess as well as become a sports journalist on the news desk.

Why You Should Visit:
Unashamedly Aussie-biased, this is nevertheless a fascinating collection of memorabilia and displays.

Tip:
You can buy a ticket at Gate 3 where the entrance is (right by the escalators). For a deal/steal, you may purchase this ticket in conjunction with the MCG tour ticket (the tour lasts about 75 minutes).