As you continue your walk, keep an eye to your right. You'll soon spot a modern-looking building with large glass windows and a prominent sign that used to read "National Sports Museum" in bright letters. It's positioned right underneath the sleek and impressive Olympic Stand, Gate 3 of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). You can't miss it!
Now, let's dive into the fun stuff about this landmark!
The Australian Sports Museum, formerly known as the National Sports Museum, is a treasure trove dedicated to celebrating Australia's rich sports history. This museum isn't just about cricket and Australian rules football-though you'll find plenty on those too! You'll also discover fascinating exhibits on the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, tennis, rugby league and union, soccer, basketball, boxing, netball, and yes, even horse racing.
One of the coolest parts of the museum is the Australian Sports Hall of Fame, where legends of various sports are immortalized. Plus, the adjoining Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) Museum showcases the history of the prestigious MCC.
Interesting tidbit: on October 6, 2010, the Australian Racing Museum joined the fold, making room for horse racing exhibits to stand proudly alongside other iconic sports. After a significant redevelopment, thanks to a $17.1 million facelift (including a cool $5 million from the state government), this gem of a museum reopened in February 2020 with its new name.
Before it transformed into the Australian Sports Museum, the space was home to the Australian Gallery of Sport and Olympic Museum, which opened in 1986 but closed its doors in 2003. But guess what? In just its final week before closing, over 35,000 people visited, proving just how beloved this spot was and continues to be.
Fancy stepping inside? Let's head in and explore the sports magic waiting for us!
