Yarra Ranges Regional Museum

Yarra Ranges Regional Museum Visit the Museum for stimulating, informative and enjoyable experiences all year round.

Our special exhibitions, permanent collection, a relaxing café, museum shop and programs for all ages are among just some of the attractions for all age groups. The past, present and future of the Yarra Ranges celebrated in one building. The stunningly designed Yarra Ranges Regional Museum offers eclectic, stimulating, informative and enjoyable experiences all year round. Thousands of visitors eac

h year are drawn to its exhibitions, café, resource library, museum shop, programs for all ages and tranquil surrounds. The museum regularly showcases some of Australia’s best known contemporary artists, pop culture, science and innovation. It also specialises in exhibitions which present Yarra Range’s unique culture and heritage as part of the Australian story. Its permanent collection includes art, artefacts and memorabilia bringing to life stories about some of Yarra Range’s most influential people, places and monuments. A special online feature of the museum includes photographs, documents, artworks and objects.

02/09/2026

The Connections Gallery brings the history of the Yarra Ranges to life.
Discover the people and stories that have shaped the region.

Meet Maddie, the person curating exhibitions and programming learning experiences across the Museum. 👋 “I never realised...
31/08/2026

Meet Maddie, the person curating exhibitions and programming learning experiences across the Museum. 👋

“I never realised that my love of Antiques Roadshow would herald a change into social history and place-based museums.”

For Maddie, museums are not neutral spaces. They are places where histories are examined, questions are raised, and local narratives are placed in a wider national context — from rare friendships like Barak and de Pury, to the cultural legacy of figures like Dame Nellie Melba.

With 18 years in the field, Maddie’s work is built on long horizons. Exhibitions are planned years in advance, shaped slowly through conversation, negotiation and care. What visitors eventually see on the walls is only the final layer of a much longer process.

And yes ... Maddie has her own “shed archive”: a growing collection of vintage dresses and coats that may or may not outlive their usefulness but continue to accumulate anyway.

Say hello to Maddie in the comments 👋

29/08/2026

Hear from artists Emma Roberts and Ben Joseph Andrews about Gondwana VR and the different ways to experience this interactive exhibition.
On Display until Sunday 1 November 2026
Yarra Ranges Regional Museum
Free exhibition

BCCB #4 TalksTalk 2 - Regenerative Futures: Healing cultures - designing regenerative systems📆 Saturday 10 October⏱ 1:30...
28/08/2026

BCCB #4 Talks
Talk 2 - Regenerative Futures: Healing cultures - designing regenerative systems
📆 Saturday 10 October
⏱ 1:30 pm - 3:30pm
📍 Burrinja Theatre
🎟 Free entry; registration is essential
🌐 More info - https://www.burrinja.org.au/whats-on/bccb4-talks

27/08/2026

A place to slow down and recharge ☀️🍃

Wander through history, discover art, grab a coffee, soak up the sunshine and connect with the stories that shape our region.

Remembering Dolly Parton ❤️We have loved seeing the memories and tributes to Dolly Parton. We're sharing a special one f...
27/08/2026

Remembering Dolly Parton ❤️

We have loved seeing the memories and tributes to Dolly Parton. We're sharing a special one from her visit to the Yarra Ranges in 1987, while on tour with Kenny Rogers. She not only visited Puffing Billy in Belgrave but also Healesville Sanctuary in the Yarra Valley. Here she is with much-loved keeper and archivist Uncle Kevin Mason.

With extraordinary talent, determination and an unwavering sense of self, Dolly Parton broke barriers in a male-dominated industry, built an iconic career on her own terms, and became one of the most influential and beloved artists of all time. Known for her generosity, philanthropy and warmth her impact extends far beyond music, inspiring women around the world to pursue their ambitions with confidence, authenticity and courage.

Special thanks to our friends at for allowing us to share this photo.

📸 Dolly Parton with Uncle Kevin Mason at Healesville Sanctuary, 1987
Image: Healesville Sanctuary Archives, Zoos Victoria

Let’s face it, dogs are the best. And they feature heavily in our Collection. Big, small, fluffy or smooth, these image...
26/08/2026

Let’s face it, dogs are the best. And they feature heavily in our Collection.

Big, small, fluffy or smooth, these images demonstrate the bond between humans and our beloved best friends.

Feel free to share your best friend in the comments as we celebrate Dog Appreciation Day together.

1. Samuel de Pury and friend, c1860s
2. Dame Nellie Melba, Evie Armstrong and Bully Boy, c1915
3. Doris, Joan and Jack Wilson and friend, c1926
4. Cora O’Sullivan and friend, c1952
5. Peg Maltby and friend, c1980s
6. Madison Birchall and friend, c2010.

To learn more about these items, in the link - https://bit.ly/3Qh8KEZ. Search our collection online for items #11925, 12242, 12984, 14071, 13986 & P N 253.

BCCB #4 TalksTalk 1 - Regenerative Futures: The imagination gap - unlocking change through creative disruption 📆Saturday...
24/08/2026

BCCB #4 Talks
Talk 1 - Regenerative Futures: The imagination gap - unlocking change through creative disruption

📆Saturday 5 September
⏱ 1.30pm-3.30pm
📍 Burrinja Theatre
🎟 Free entry; registration is essential
🌐 More info - https://www.burrinja.org.au/whats-on/bccb4-talks

How does donut economics need play to work? What does adaptive governance look like when designed through art? How do we communicate climate action in ways that energise?

23/08/2026

Hear from artists Emma Roberts and Ben Joseph Andrews about Gondwana VR and the vision behind this immersive and durational exhibition.
On Display until Sunday 1 November
Yarra Ranges Regional Museum
Free exhibition

Pretty chic to have started one of the world's biggest major film festivals right here in Yarra Ranges.Did you know MIFF...
21/08/2026

Pretty chic to have started one of the world's biggest major film festivals right here in Yarra Ranges.

Did you know MIFF started in Olinda?
Before it was Melbourne International Film Festival, it was the Olinda Film Festival — dreamed up by a group of die-hard film buffs and first held in Olinda in the Dandenong Ranges in 1952.

Organisers expected about 80 people. More than 600 showed up! Screens were setup across five different halls, including one in Sassafras, and an open-air screen strung up under the stars at Olinda School . Army engineers linked the screens with field telephones and locals opened their doors to help manage the influx of people needing accommodation.

The festival screened "hundreds of Continental, English, Australian and Oriental films and even a Russian propaganda production" according to The Sun of 29 January 1952, opening with Jean Cocteau's famous 1946 film Beauty and the Beast.

The globally-minded, non-commercial, adventurous spirit of the Olinda Film Festival became the foundation for what’s now one of the world’s major film festivals.

We are thrilled to welcome MIFF back to Yarra Ranges, with screenings this month at The Memo Healesville. Get in quick for the remaining screenings this weekend;

https://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Explore-Yarra-Ranges/Events/Melbourne-International-Film-Festival-2026

📸 All photos courtesy of Mount Dandenong and District Historical Society.

1. Crowd outside the Olinda Mechanics Hall, headquarters for the film festival.
2. An outdoor cinema was installed in the grounds of Olinda Primary School.
3. The cover of the programme (with white sticky tape!)

🎬
Melbourne International Film Festival

Address

35-37 Castella Street
Lilydale, VIC
3140

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+61392946511

Website

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