Museum of Old and New Art

Alright, it’s time to get weird. A day out at Mona—aka the Museum of Old and New Art—is a must-do when visiting Hobart. Leave your sensibilities at the door and embrace the eccentric. Architecture nerds, artsy types, and foodies will be particularly in their element. We’ve put together some tips for the ultimate day out at Mona—it really is one of the top things to do in Hobart!

Visiting Info

Opening hours

Mona is open four days a week.

Fridays to Mondays, 10am–5pm.

Tickets

Things are a little different now but in a good way.  It’s still free to get into the museum for Tasmanians. But there’s a catch. You have to pre-book your trip and pay a deposit; if you show up, you can get your deposit back. We are restricted with numbers, so we can’t have people booking and then not showing up. If you do that, the cost is $10 and a lifetime of shame. The deposit is $10 for adults and concessions only. No deposit for under 18s (but booking is still required).

If you’re sadly not a Tasmanian resident (our sympathies), tickets are $35 for adults and $30 concession.  Under-18s are free (but booking is still required).

Grounds passes are also available for all, for lawn-lounging, outdoor art, alfresco eating and drinking, and live music daily throughout January. Grounds passes are free, but you still need to book.

Some artworks require an additional ticket.

How to get to Mona

Catching the ferry from the Brooke Street Pier to Mona and back is a fun way to bookend your adventure (arriving by boat to a mysterious museum on the side of a cliff feels very James Bond). That way, you don’t have to worry about driving and parking.

David created Mona to be approached by water, and the camouflaged ferries are the best way to do it. Mona Roma ferries run ferries regularly throughout the day (check the timetable here) and are basically a 25-minute scenic cruise up the Derwent River (yes, drinks are available onboard). Choose a traditional seat or perch atop a sheep or tiger. If you’re feeling fancy, treat yo’self to a Posh Pit ticket and enjoy complimentary drinks and canapes with table service in the exclusive lounge, bar and private deck.

Mona is around a 20-minute drive northwest of Hobart, but there is limited parking. Alternatively, catch the Mona Roma Express bus between Brooke Street Pier, Hobart, and Mona (around 30 minutes one way). If you’ve just jetted into the Hobart International Airport and you must get your art fix immediately, catch the Airport Express bus to Mona. Fitness fanatics and calve models can hire a bike from the Brooke Street Pier and ride to Mona along the Hobart Intercity Cycleway.

Both ferries sail every half hour, and you can cruise back to Hobart at whatever time you like (subject to capacity and no Posh Pit, sorry). Check the ferry timetable and arrive at Mona’s jetty 20 minutes before your desired departure time. If the ferry’s full, fear not—catch the next one or travel by bus.

Explore the Museum

The O

Once you’ve got your ticket and slipped on in, head down the rabbit hole to the ground floor and slowly work your way back up the floors (highly recommend starting with a cocktail at the Void Bar). You’ll notice that there are no boring wall labels in this museum; instead, borrow one of Mona’s custom iPods —aka The O—to learn about the pieces on display (you can also mark stuff as ‘love’ or ‘hate’, which doesn’t really do anything but the illusion of power is oddly satisfying). Alternatively, download The O as an iPhone app before your visit. You’ll always have the memories if you log your email—receive all the sordid details of your visit afterwards to e-treasure forever.

Things to see

Mona’s vast collection is always evolving, with regular subtle changes and a substantial ‘re-hang’ several times a year. Exhibitions are either artist-led or ideas-led collections. Mona offers a delicate balance of dark and light, which should satisfy both the devil and the angel on each shoulder. You could spend days exploring and still find new things. Some things you may not want to get too close to, such as the ‘poo machine’ (yes, it does smell quite ripe after a feed). Some things are awesome but elusive, such as the fluffy couch that purrs when you stroke it (we swear it’s real). It’s worth lining up for the eerie mummy room (don’t fall in the water).

Once you’ve explored Mona’s moody underground galleries, skip through Siloam, the mysterious tunnel extension (which houses an Ai Weiwei) to Pharos. Pharos is the colourful, airy home to all things whimsical, with some permanent large-scale artworks by James Turrell. Outside, set your inner child free in Charles Ross’ magical Spectrum Chamber of rainbows, jump on the trampoline, and catch a sunrise or sunset in ‘God’s gazebo’. There is live music on most days and every day over the summer, so check the website to see what’s on.

Visit the library to have a stickybeak at David Walsh’s personal book collection (reference only, no loans). If you want something for keepsies, check out the gift shop.

Eat & Drink

Enjoy breakfast or lunch at The Source Restaurant, a temple to seasonal Tasmanian dining perched atop the Mona site (with an award-winning wine list and sweeping views).  Faro is the newest dining addition (located in Pharos), open to museum visitors throughout the day as well as for fancy dinners from Wednesday—Monday. Share plates are a specialty in this European-inspired bar, as well as a few things you will likely be trying for the first time and can brag about later (pig eyeball margarita, anyone?). Book Art + Dinner for exclusive entry to exhibitions.

Now, for the bars. Pass a few leisurely hours sitting inside or outside at the Moorilla Wine Bar (open from 10am), with a glass of Moorilla wine or Moo Brew beer in hand, seasonal treats, share plates, and house-made bread and pastries on offer. Take a peek at the inner workings of the winery, just behind the glass, or book yourself a Moorilla Decanted experience. Alternatively, sip your bevvies beneath John Olsen’s The Source (2002–03) at the Cellar Door (open from 9.30am). The museum’s bottom floor houses the very cool Void Bar, waiting to make you a cocktail or three. On the weekend in the cooler months, enjoy free live music.

Over 18s, please feel free to stock up on wine from Moorilla or some Moo brew. Join the MONA mailing list and follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

Stay at Mona

Mona Pavilions

The Mona Pavilions offer luxurious accommodation onsite overlooking the Derwent River. Each pavilion is beautifully designed and is named after an influential Australian artist or architect (we get the feeling David Walsh is a bit into architecture). Kick back in your fancy digs and admire artwork from the Mona collection—basically your private exhibition! There is also a swimming pool, so don’t forget your best and brightest budgie smugglers.