Open Thursday, Friday and Sunday Plan your visit

About the museum

Preserving Victoria's Fire Service History

The Eastern Hill fire station tower rising above the trees on Victoria Parade, with a tram passing
Photo: Philip Mallis from Melbourne, CC BY-SA 2.0

A not-for-profit museum, run by volunteers

We are dedicated to preserving Victoria's fire services history. Every admission fee supports the running, upkeep and promotion of the museum.

The museum lives in the Eastern Hill fire station, opened in 1893 as the headquarters of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade. The building is part of the collection, alongside more than 10,000 fire-related items from Victoria and overseas: appliances, uniforms, helmets, alarms, photographs and personnel histories.

Our volunteers include former and current members of Fire Rescue Victoria, the Country Fire Authority, forest fire services and other agencies, working alongside people who simply love the history. The museum celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023.

The people behind it

  • President

    Tim Hughes

    Leads the museum's volunteer committee of management.

  • Museum Ambassador

    David Mann AM

    Champions the museum across the fire services and the wider community.

Want to be part of it? Volunteer with us or become a member.

Contact us

We answer the phone on open days. Email us any time.

P:(03) 9662 2907 M:0418 129 252 E:enquiries@fsmv.net.au

Visit
39 Gisborne Street, East Melbourne VIC 3002

Post
C/- The Secretary, 39 Gisborne Street, East Melbourne VIC 3002

Acknowledgement of Country

The Fire Services Museum Victoria acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and live. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

Image credits

  • Heritage artwork of the Eastern Hill station and the early motor engine: from the museum's own posters.
  • Watch room, basement, print room and roof: stills from the museum's 360° films, photography by Barney Meyer and Mark Hassed of Hidden Melbourne.
  • Eastern Hill fire station on Victoria Parade: Photo: Bidgee, CC BY-SA 3.0.
  • The station tower above Victoria Parade: Photo: Philip Mallis from Melbourne, CC BY-SA 2.0.
  • Product photography: Fire Services Museum Victoria shop.