COLLECTION THEMES

The Museum of Chinese Australian History has a collection of over eight thousand artefacts, photos, and records that help tell the stories, experiences, and cultural life of Australians with Chinese ancestry. Learn more about our collections through the themes below that describe Chinese arts, festivals, and beliefs as well as different elements of our community's history.

Gold Rush Collection

Chinese Museum Collections about the Gold Rush era in Australia Read more

Chinese Australian Families Collection

Community and Identity Collection

Traditional Chinese Practices Collection

A selection of objects from the Chinese Museum's Traditional Chinese Practices Collection Read more

Creative Arts Collection

Paris End & Chinatown Walk

The event was held on 4th July 2021 and 25 participates discovered the hidden Jewish connections to Melbourne’s Paris End and Chinatown.
Chinese Anzac Soldiers Honour Roll

The Honour Roll of Chinese and Chinese-Australian soldiers served in WWI. Last updated in May 2021.
Caleb and Sydney Shang

The Shang brothers, Sidney Wah and Duckbour “Caleb” joined the war in 1916 and 1918.
Lepp cousins

The Lepp family served in both World Wars across two generations.

LOCATION & OPENING HOURS

We are temporarily closed due to the snap 5 day lock down. We can't wait to re-open again, 10am-4pm, everyday, except public holidays. Located at 22 Cohen Place, Melbourne, VIC Australia 3000.
EMPLOYMENT

Current employment opportunities at the Chinese Museum
Mid-Autumn Festival Schools Program

The Mid-Autumn Festival Education Program explores moon legends and traditional practices such as lantern making, riddle guessing, moon cake making and Chinese tea ceremony. Excursions and incursions available.
OUR TEAM
OUR BOARD
VOLUNTEER
OUR ORGANISATION

The Chinese Museum’s building, located in the heart of Chinatown, was built by the Cohen Bros. in 1890 and used originally as a furniture warehouse. It was acquired in 1984 by the Victorian State Government to enable the establishment of a Museum to provide the heritage and cultural foundation for Melbourne’s Chinatown.
ADULT GROUP TOURS

Guided Museum Tours for Adult Groups. Combine with a tour of Melbourne's Chinatown or a Yum Cha lunch.
VENUE HIRE

The Chinese Museum has multiple galleries / space for hire, suitable for exhibitions, parties, dinners, talks and many other functions. All proceeds from venue hires go towards furthering our mission of communicating the Chinese-Australian story and promoting multiculturalism
STAY CONNECTED

Programs, exhibitions and special events for schools are announced throughout the year. Subscribe to our Education E-News for up-to-date information.