NGV | Tea Room. Melbourne
180 St Kilda Road,
Melbourne VIC 3000
Home of International art serving afternoon
tea with a modern interpretation
Open daily 10am-5pm
The NGV has afternoon tea down to a fine art - serving scones, sandwiches and tea in a very inclusive setting. I totally winged this one and didn’t do my research beforehand. I wish I did because the info on their website highlights how committed they are to making it accessible for all.
The entrance to the gallery is next to the famous water wall on St Kilda Road. The doors are automated and nice and wide.
Sitting on level 1 is the Tea Room, which can be accessed via a lift on the ground floor. I’d recommend booking a table as it books out. Mostly standard table + chairs here, however there’s also a long bar table with stools that overlooks the ground floor. There’s plenty of room table side for aids or prams and enough space to move in between tables.
The gallery space feels like a bit of a maze if you haven’t been before. I’d absolutely recommend looking at a map on their website before you go. Spread over 4 floors, the lift goes up to all levels. The space to view the art is all accessible and I found it easy to get around. There’s big wide ramps that wind around levels so you don’t always need to take the lift.
They have at least one accessible toilet on every level. The one I went to on level 2 has a push to open door but no backrest or toilet seat which I found a bit odd - I didn’t go around and see them all so they may not all look like this (can anyone tell me?) I’d find this hard to use independently so is the only reason their overall score is marked down.
There are 2 accessible parking spots on St Kilda Road out the front of the Arts Centre that are in high demand. 2 more a short walk away on Southbank Blvd. Paid parking available in the Arts Centre carpark via Kavanagh Street.
Audio descriptions, captioned videos, sensory maps and wheelchair or scooter hire are just some of the features that make the NGV an incredible experience for all! Did you know you don’t have to be visiting an exhibition to stop by the tea room? Better yet, entry to the NGV is free. Read more access info here.
Report Card | B+
Entrance 10/10
Space 9/10
Toilet 5/10
Parking 8/10
