This free Melbourne museum is the ultimate pilgrimage for Kylie and AC/DC fans

While most travellers flock to Melbourne for its coffee and laneways, those in the know slip into a little-known free museum preserving items from Australia's most celebrated music icons.

If you're keen to revisit some of the biggest moments in Australian music history, the Australian Music Vault displays real items from the likes of Olivia Newton-John, Nick Cave, Chrissy Amphlett and our lady of pop, Kylie Minogue.

The museum in Melbourne's South Bank is displaying dozens of pieces of Minogue memorabilia, including her iconic gold short shorts from the Spinning Around era, the custom Dolce & Gabbana outfit from the Come Into My World music video and tour outfits including feathered headdresses, corsets and designer shoes.

"We've had this great opportunity recently to be able to connect a little bit more with Kylie's collection," Margot Anderson, head of curatorial at the Australian Music Vault, told The Senior.

"We've pulled out a few extra things to celebrate her career's longevity."

Minogue, who is the subject of a forthcoming three-part Netflix documentary about her life and career, is a founding patron of the Vault, and is one of many artists working with the museum to tell the stories that make up Australia's musical history.

The extensive Minogue collection is regularly updated so repeat visitors can see new items over multiple visits.

"It's great to be able to keep changing pieces over and really being able to give a good sweep of that collection," Ms Anderson said.

Opening in 2017, the Vault is a permanent and free exhibition within the Arts Centre in Melbourne, with displays including instruments, well-known outfits and pieces of clothing, artists' personal journals, tour posters, and more.

"It's a celebration of Australian contemporary music, and it's really an amazing exhibition space where we get to explore everyone's love of music," Ms Anderson said.

"It gives people an opportunity to revisit some of the big music moments of our lives."

Exhibitions include objects donated or loaned by musicians like Nick Cave and the late Olivia Newton-John and Rowland S. Howard, along with rock and pop memorabilia from the Australian Performing Arts collection.

Among the items on display are a colourful collection of suits from I See Red rockers Split Enz.

"There's over 18 sets of costumes that were donated to the collection by [Split Enz] drummer Noel Crombie," Ms Anderson said.

"It's been lovely to work our way through all the different styles of that band, and that's what these costumes do."

Visitors to the museum particularly enjoy items from Olivia Newton John, Jessica Mauboy and peeking into the intimate personal notebooks of Nick Cave.

Along with showcasing some of Australia's favourite musical acts, the collection also celebrates backstage workers in the music industry, including producers, managers, promoters and roadies.

The Australian Music Vault is free to visit, and open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm.

The vault is located within the Arts Precinct in Southbank in inner city Melbourne.

The exhibition is wheelchair accessible and offers free wheelchair loans and welcomes assistance animals.