Plan your visit to ACMI

Journey through the past, present and future of the moving image through interactive experiences, digital innovation and captivating stories.

Explore five sections that illuminate the major moments in moving image history: the origins and future of cinema; production design and the creative process; Australian culture and stories; the rise of videogames; and how screens inform, influence and empower us.

Collect your favourite objects in the exhibition and explore your personal collection online anytime, anywhere. Pick up your FREE Lens device at the start of The Story of the Moving Image exhibition.

Hero

Restaurant, bar and cafe

Grab a coffee and a snack in the morning, book a table for lunch or dinner or enjoy our selection of drinks from our favourite producers around the globe. Hero’s menu is designed by acclaimed Melbourne chef Karen Martini.

Hero is wheelchair accessible. High chairs for infants are available on request.

Location
Level 1, ACMI, Fed Square
Enter via Fed Square plaza or if inside ACMI, enter via the Level 1 foyer at the top of the stairs (accessible by lift).

Opening hours
Tuesday–Saturday 12pm–late
Sunday 12pm–4pm
Monday, closed

Takeaway (available at the kiosk on Level 1 inside Hero during museum hours).
Tuesday–Saturday 12–5pm
Sunday 12–4pm
Monday, closed

Book a table | view the dining menu

The ACMI Shop stocks a curated range of screen-culture books, souvenirs, gifts and cards, as well as an array of ACMI publications and merchandise for our dedicated fans. We specialise in independent, local & unique pieces you won't find anywhere else. We collaborate with artists to create products to be treasured, as well as exclusive merchandise from our in-house design team.

Location
Ground Floor. Enter via the Flinders Street entrance and turn left.

If you can’t make it to our retail shop, our online shop is available 24 hours a day for all your needs.

We are following advice from the Victorian Chief Health Officer about how to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Here are some of the measures we have in place – things that you can do – to keep our staff and visitors safe:

• Please wear a mask. In line with current government advice, masks are mandatory inside the museum
• Book your exhibition visit online
• Arrive at our Flinders Street entrance (cinema ticket holders are encouraged to enter through the Fed Square entrance)
• On arrival, scan the QR code for contact tracing purposes
• Maintain at least 1.5m distance between yourself and others
• Pay with a card, not cash.

Other measures include enhanced cleaning throughout the museum, hand sanitiser on offer at all levels.

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or are feeling unwell, please do not visit ACMI.

ACMI is located at Fed Square, Melbourne, on Flinders St, between Hosier Lane and Swanston St.

ACMI has two entrances: one on Flinders Street, and the other in the heart of Fed Square in the cobblestoned plaza opposite the Big Screen. There are lifts at every level of the building.

Get directions to ACMI on Google Maps

Public Transport

ACMI is accessible via train, tram and bus.

Our museum is in Fed Square, which is opposite Flinders Street train station, and sits within Melbourne’s Free Tram Zone.

If your journey starts or finishes outside the boundaries of the Free Tram Zone, you must touch on your myki at the reader to make sure you have a valid ticket.

Plan your journey to ACMI on the Public Transport Victoria website

Bicycles

If you plan to cycle to ACMI, you can lock your bike to purpose-built bicycle racks installed around the perimeter of Fed Square, but you will need to bring your own lock. You cannot bring your bike into ACMI itself.

Parking

Paid parking is available at the Fed Square carpark, located on the Russell Street Extension or via the second entrance off Batman Ave. It's a 2 minute (200m) walk from Fed Square car park to ACMI.

There is also a Wilson Parking at 172/192 Flinders St, which is directly opposite our Flinders Street entrance.

ACMI welcomes visitors with all kinds of access needs.

Entrances

ACMI has two entrances: one on Flinders Street, and the other in the heart of Fed Square plaza, opposite the Big Screen. Please be aware that the Fed Square entrance is cobblestoned and may be difficult to navigate for visitors using mobility aids. The Fed Square entrance is easily accessible via a wheelchair ramp.

Lifts

A series of lifts (or elevators) offer access to all levels of ACMI. Just look out for temporary signage about capacity; it might be limited to support social distancing.

Ground floor – Level 1 access only

The Ground floor lift is located between Tickets & Information desk and the entrance to The Story of the Moving Image exhibition.

Ground – Level 1 & 2 access

This Ground Floor lift is located behind the stairs opposite the bathrooms. You can access it by continuing down the corridor between Tickets & Information desk and the entrance to The Story of the Moving Image exhibition. This lift grants you access to Levels 1 and 2.

Ground Floor – Basement Gallery 4 access

A goods lift that allows access to our Underground Gallery 4 is located behind Gallery 2 and 4, via a corridor. Only in use when an exhibition is on view in Gallery 4.

Level 1 – Cinemas access

There are two lifts located on Level 1. As you enter from Fed Square, one is around the corner on your right, as you pass the Tickets & Information desk and approach the stairs. If you make a hard right towards Hero at ACMI and the Level 1 toilets, you will see the lift. This is the best lift option to reach the Cinemas level (Level 2).

Level 1 – Galleries access

As you enter from Fed Square, walk past the wall of screens and seating area in front of the wall of cabinets on your left, the lift is located opposite the seating area. This lift provides access to Ground floor, the Galleries level.

Level 2 – Level 1 access

The Level 2 Lift services our cinemas. It goes down to Level 1, where you will find our restaurant and bar, Hero; and our Labs Level. This lift also provides access to Ground Floor, the Galleries level.

Companion Cards

Companion Cards, registered in Victoria and interstate, provide the carers accompanying card holders with free access to ACMI programs.

Apply for a Companion Card

Wheelchairs

If you use a wheelchair, you can access all our spaces.

If you need to borrow a wheelchair for use inside our museum, present your ID at the Tickets & Information Desk (located at Ground Floor and Level 1 respectively) and we will organise one for you free of charge.

Guide dogs

Guide Dogs and registered assistance animals are welcome throughout ACMI. But only registered animals. No pets, please!

Hearing loops

Present your ID at the Tickets and Information desks (Ground Floor and Level 1) to borrow free hearing devices for the ACMI Cinemas and Studios.

The devices come with headphones or connect with hearing aids via a neck loop. You get to choose what you prefer.

Cloakroom

ACMI does not currently provide a cloakroom. In the context of COVID-19, we are no longer able to provide a free cloakroom service, so we ask you to bring with you what you can comfortably carry. No luggage, please.

Toilet facilities

Toilets are located on Ground Floor and Level 1. We have wheelchair accessible toilets on both floors.

Baby change facilities are available near the toilets at the Flinders St (Ground floor) and Fed Square (Level 1) entrances.

Lifts

A series of lifts (or elevators) offers access to all levels of ACMI. Just look out for temporary signage about capacity; it might be limited to support social distancing.

Families

We welcome families with kids of all ages, but children under the age of 13 years must be always accompanied by a parent or guardian over 18 years of age.

Our centrepiece exhibition, The Story of the Moving Image, is free and family friendly. It explores the history of film, TV, videogames and art and is open every day of the year except for December 25.

We frequently offer other exhibitions, workshops and activities that are family friendly, especially during school holidays.

Baby change facilities are available at the Flinders Street and Fed Square levels of the building, next to the toilets.

Prams and strollers are welcome throughout the building, except inside exceptionally busy exhibitions, in which case they need to be left in the Cloakroom. We will let you know when this so. Otherwise, prams and strollers must stay with you.

Lost property

Missing something? Leave your details at our Tickets & Information Desk or contact us and we’ll get back to you if it comes to us. We hold lost property for 2 weeks.

Photographs and videos

We love Instagram posts so feel free to take photos with hand-held devices in The Story of the Moving Image – don't forget to hashtag #acmimelbourne or #thestoryofthemovingimage

Photography is sometimes not permitted in our other exhibitions, so watch out for ‘No photography' signage.

Selfie sticks, tripods, and flash photography can interfere with the enjoyment and safety of others so always ask us before using them.

Photography and filming are not allowed in our cinemas during screenings.

Clothing and footwear

Please ensure clothing and footwear are always worn for your own safety and comfort, as well as the safety and comfort of others.

Animals

Only guide dogs and registered assistance animals are permitted in the building. Sorry, no pets allowed!

Smoking

... is not permitted anywhere on ACMI’s premises. Thanks!