mona art gallery tours

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Mona is open fridays to mondays. bookings are a must. even if you're tasmanian., ticket info, non-tasmanians.

It's still free to get in to the museum. 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 $5 and a lifetime of shame.

The deposit is $5 per person, adults and concession only. No deposit for under 18s (but booking still required). After your visit, you will receive an email wherein you can choose to have your $5 refunded, or leave it with Daddy Walsh and he’ll pop it straight on the doggies.

You can also just visit the Mona grounds, for lawn-lounging, outdoor art, alfresco eating and drinking, and live music. Free entry (no deposit required).

For non-Tasmanians, museum entry is $38 for adults, $32 concession and $15 for under 18s. Under 12s are free (but a booking is still required).

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MONA Tasmania: Everything you need to know about MONA Museum Hobart + MONA Ferry

Visiting Hobart? MONA Tasmania has got to be at the top of your list!

In this guide I answer all your questions – Is MONA worth it? How to catch the MONA ferry? How much does MONA cost? And plenty more!

The MONA Museum Tasmania is both controversial, and absolutely spectacular at the same time. Keep reading to learn how you can plan your perfect MONA day trip itinerary!

This page contains affiliate links. If you book or buy something through one of these links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). Read our full disclosure policy  here .

Is MONA Museum Tasmania worth visiting?

Whenever the MONA Museum Tasmania gets mentioned in our Facebook Group, it is inevitable that someone will ask the question – “ Is MONA worth visiting? “.

Every. Single. Time.

And I totally get it!

MONA Museum Hobart – or to use its full name, the Museum of Old and New Art – is not everyone’s cup of tea.

In fact, I don’t know that I’ve come across such a divisive attraction anywhere in Australia.

Some people absolutely swoon at the very mention of this weird, dark, and wonderful temple to the bizarre (yes, guilty).

Others? You couldn’t pay them enough to ever set foot in Walshy’s concrete and steel backyard ever again!

The answer lies in what you hope to get out of the experience.

If you are tight for time and want a guaranteed ‘puppies and rainbows’ kind of day, you might want to walk on by.

But for anyone else who is remotely curious as to what all the fuss is about, I can’t encourage you enough to push your boundaries and give it a shot.

Even if you don’t end up liking the art, just about everyone who visits can’t help but admire the incredible architecture, the stunning views of the Derwent River and Mt Wellington from the MONA ferry, and the wonderful foodie experiences also available on site.

When deciding whether to visit or not, it’s worth thinking about this quote by Cesar Cruz:

“Art should comfort the disturbed, and disturb the comfortable.”

Of course, not everyone wants to be ‘disturbed’ on their Tassie holiday – and that’s completely understandable.

But on the other hand, it doesn’t matter who you are or what your ‘art’ preferences might be, among all the oddities scattered throughout this post-modern megalith I can guarantee you will find at least one piece of art that you will never forget – in a good way!

Something that lifts your spirit, opens your eyes to a new and exciting point of view, stimulates your senses, or simply reaffirms what you always suspected.

At the same time, no matter how liberal-minded you might be, there is going to be something that makes you wince. Something that hits you deep in the feels in an uncomfortable and unforgettable way.

This is what I love about art, and whether you choose to include Hobart’s MONA museum in your Tasmania itinerary or not, I think we can all agree that Tasmania is very privileged to be the home of this world famous attraction.

To help you plan your visit, I have structured this guide to, first of all, provide you with a an easy-to-follow day trip itinerary, and then to answer any questions you might have about this fascinating museum.

Please feel free to use this Table of Contents to jump ahead as well.

Table of Contents

• MONA Day Trip Itinerary
• How to Get to MONA
• FARO Restaurant
• Where to Eat and Drink at MONA
• Where to Stay
• Common Questions + FAQs

Hobart MONA Museum Day Trip: Your perfect itinerary

A Hobart MONA Museum day trip is the perfect way to spend your time when visiting Tasmania’s bustling little capital city – nestled between the mountain and the River Derwent.

Planning your day trip to MONA isn’t hard, but the timing and order in which you do things can make a big difference to your experience and making the most of your time.

My wife and I recently revisited MONA, and our itinerary ended up working out perfectly – so I thought I would share it with you!

I also have an alternative itinerary in my Hobart Day Trip Planner (eBook), that you shows you how to combine a day at MONA with many of Hobart’s other attractions – click here to learn more.

9:00-10am: Breakfast

There are plenty of amazing breakfast options throughout Hobart, so I have no doubt you will find one near your accommodation.

Some of our favourites include Harbour Lights Cafe (waterfront), Machine Laundry Cafe (Salamanca), Berta (CBD), and Born in Brunswick (North Hobart). Vegetarians will love Straight Up Coffee and Food (CBD).

If you are keen to hit MONA as soon as possible then you could start breakfast a little bit earlier, skip a separate coffee stop, and aim to catch the 10:15am ferry.

10-10:30am: Coffee!

We always like to start our day with a hot brew, especially from somewhere we haven’t tried before.

This time, we discovered a little gem in Hobart Coffee Roasters – Franklin Wharf Chapter . It’s a bit of a mouthful of a name, but their espresso is literally the best I have found in Hobart, and they are also just a few minutes’ walk from Brooke Street Pier.

10:30-11am: Browse Brooke Street Pier

In addition to being the place where you can buy your MONA ferry tickets, Brooke Street Pier is also a great place to spend some time and pick up a souvenir, especially if you don’t have long in Hobart.

It is a huge floating structure containing many of Tasmania’s most iconic businesses all under one roof, such as:

• Brooke Street Larder
• McHenry Distillery
• Grandvewe Cheeses
• Naturally Millie Ma
• Island Tastings
• Aloft Restaurant
• The Glass House
• And plenty more!!

Entry is free, and many of the foodie options provide tastings as well 😋

11:15am: Catch the MONA Ferry

Catching the MONA Ferry is an experience in itself – don’t forget to look really closely at the camouflage boat design for a cheeky surprise…

There are two catamarans – MONA ROMA I and II – that cruise the River Derwent between Brooke Street Pier and the MONA Museum, with departures from each end scheduled roughly hourly (as per the schedule below).

These catamarans are super stable, and the river is sheltered, meaning you don’t need to worry about getting motion sickness at all.

You could go for the cheapest option and pay for a regular ticket ($25pp) that gets you access to all common areas, including the bar – but my wife and I wanted to take things to the next level, treating ourselves to ‘ Posh Pit ‘ tickets instead!

The Posh Pit ticket costs a little extra ($60pp), but if you love your food and drink then the splurge is well worth it. Here’s what you get:

• VIP queue, getting you on board the ferry with a minimum of fuss
• Private lounge, bar, and front-facing deck (for your very best Leo+Kate impression)
• Complementary drinks, including a great selection of Moorilla Winery wines and Moo Brew beers (non-alcoholic options are also available) – the mimosas were proving very popular on our trip in the morning
• Complementary plates of delicious tapas – the lightly seared tuna with sweet corn and salsa was amazing!

Pro Tip : The total cruise time from Brooke Street Pier to MONA is about 25 minutes, and because of all the food and drink inclusions it is easy to run out of time to explore the boat (including an obligatory photo of yourself riding on the sheep).

The best time to go for a quick wander is after finishing your welcome drink, before the first plates of food are served (or save it for your return journey).

Tickets can be bought from the MONA outlet inside Brooke Street Pier on the day, but a lot of other visitors will have the same idea meaning you are going to be queuing for ages.

The better option is to buy your tickets online in advance, and you can head straight downstairs to the waiting area. All you need to do is to present your digital tickets on your phone at the time of boarding.

12pm: Lunch at FARO Restaurant

As a pair of massive foodies we were more excited about our lunch at FARO Restaurant than MONA itself to be honest.

Every few months they mix up the theme at this quirky restaurant, and for our visit we enjoyed an absolutely amazing Japanese degustation, complete with ridiculously fun entertainment throughout!

My wife and I normally cringe at typical ‘lunch and a show’ type of experiences…but honestly, we couldn’t stop laughing right from the start at how ridiculously over-the-top and quintessentially Japanese it all was.

Can you remember the last time a giant pink thingabob invaded your lunch? Or when a giant mushroom from Mario Brothers was thrashing out some insane riffs from stage left?

Yeah, me neither 🤣

The entertainment was fantastic, but the food was even better.

Refined. Amazing texture and flavour combinations. Not too stingy on size either.

At $150pp it isn’t cheap, but this is one foodie experience we will never forget!

As part of your lunch you also get to visit one of the mind-blowing James Turrell artworks that is hidden away from regular museum visitors.

FARO lunches are divided into two sittings – 12pm and 2:30pm.

The 12pm sitting times in nicely with the ferry arrival at around 11:40am, giving you time to casually make your way through the grounds to the restaurant. With lunch finishing around 2pm you will have a half-day to explore MONA afterwards.

The 2:30pm lunch option can also work, but to have enough time to see the MONA Museum you would need to get one of the very early ferries at 9:15am or 10:15am.

Dinner at FARO wasn’t going to going to be possible for us on the day, but it is the best way of having the most amount of time possible to see the MONA Museum, as long as you don’t mind waiting an hour between the museum closing (5pm) and the first available dinner seating at 6pm.

FARO Opening Hours:

• Lunch – Monday to Friday, sittings at either 12pm or 2:30pm
• Dinner – Friday to Sunday, from 6pm
• Multi-course set menu – $150pp
• Multi-course set menu + drinks package – $200pp
• Deluxe Dinner (incl. more dishes, rare and vintage wines and other beverages, and complementary entry to numerous James Turrell artworks) – $350pp

2-5 or 6pm: Explore MONA

With lunch finished, it is time to go exploring the MONA Museum itself!

The first thing you will notice about MONA is the architecture. Its exterior is all about contrasts in textures and angles – rusty carbon steel, futuristic reflections, lush grass, and harsh concrete.

These themes continue as you descend into the bowels of the earth, but with a shift away from the light toward dark corners, eery tunnels, spotlights, rough-hewn sandstone and a disconcerting maze of platforms and gangways.

It can be disorienting, but with plenty of time on your hands the best way to start is to choose a direction and simply wander to your hearts content. It won’t take long and you’ll start to get a feel for how the museum is laid out.

A cocktail from Void Bar isn’t a bad idea to get you settled in either.

Don’t forget to download your copy of the ‘O’ app before you arrive.

Not only will ‘O’ help you find your way around, but it has plenty of information and narrated stories about all the exhibits you will encounter around MONA right at your fingertips. You can also use it to rate your favourite (and not so favourite) exhibits.

In pre-covid times you would receive a pair of headphones and a little device pre-loaded with the app, but these days in the interest of public health you simply download the app to your phone and bring your own headphones or ear buds.

There is something for everyone in this museum, but when you step back and look across all the exhibits you start to see recurrent themes emerging around death, love and lust, the human body, and some pitch black humour.

Who knows what David Walsh’s true intentions are with this very expensive hobby horse… but for me it feels like he is encouraging us to explore what it means to be human. Challenging us to strip back our protective layers and acknowledge that no matter where we come from, what language we speak, or which footy team we support (unless it’s Port), when it comes down to it there is more that brings us together than keeps us apart.

In saying that, don’t be fooled into thinking that MONA is all morbidly depressing and ‘deep’. Nothing could be further from the truth.

I can’t remember laughing so much, feeling such awe for the incredible artists and their crazy ideas that have actually become a reality, or feeling such a sense of optimism for our future.

As you can probably tell, I love MONA. And I hope you will too!

MONA Tasmania Opening Hours:

• Friday to Monday (closed Wednesday and Thursday), from 10am to 5pm
• During Dark MOFO opening hours extend to 6pm

MONA Tasmania Cost:

• An online booking is essential for all visitors (no walk-ins allowed)
• Tasmanians – Free entry ($10 deposit, refunded after you visit)
• Non-Tasmanians – $30pp (adults) or $27 (concession)
• Under-18s are free, but still require a booking
• Exploring the grounds is FREE
• Some exhibitions and collections require an additional fee (bookable online)

5pm or 6pm: Catch the Ferry Back to Hobart

The two best ferry options to get back to Hobart are the 5pm (year-round) and 6pm (summer/peak season only) options.

It was summer when we visited, meaning the 6pm ferry option was perfect. It allowed us to explore MONA right up to closing time at 5pm, and then grab a drink at the Moorilla Wine Bar to relax and process everything we had just seen, heard, smelled and felt – all while watching the crowd build up for a Midnight Oil concert being held on the grounds that night.

If you are visiting outside the summer season and you also want to go to FARO for lunch, then I suggest getting the 9:15am or 10:15am ferry to MONA to give you 2-3 hours of time in the museum in the morning. You can then return to the museum after lunch, as your ticket allows entry all day.

If you bought a ‘Posh Pit’ ticket then you will again receive some small dishes of food (sweets this time) and access to their complementary drinks list for the return journey to Hobart.

We found the return journey to be a lot quieter than in the morning, making it ideal for going for a wander around the ferry.

8pm: Dinner in Hobart

Hobart has gone through a food revolution over the last 10 years, and there are so many sensational options available to you.

My wife and I have eaten at nearly every restaurant in Hobart, and some of our favourites within walking distance of the Hobart waterfront include:

• Aloft (pan-Pacific cuisine, stunning water views)
• Landscape Bar and Grill (showcases Tasmanian produce)
• Da Angelo (Italian, never-fail option, short walk to Battery Point)
• The Drunken Admiral (renowned for their chowder, family friendly)
• The Glass House (cocktails and small plates, also has amazing water views)
• Mures (iconic seafood restaurant, lower-deck is family-friendly, upper-deck more exxy)
• Dier Makr (ultimate degustation)
• Urban Greek (great value, family friendly, short walk to CBD)
• Flippers (fish punt, fish and chips)

If you need help choosing, or are looking for something more specific, please don’t be shy to ask over at our Lap of Tasmania Facebook Group .

How to get to MONA from Hobart

Don’t stress if you are wondering how to get to MONA from Hobart, because there are seven great options (I provide detailed information for each further down):

• MONA Ferry – Your best and most fun option. Not suitable if you need a wheelchair though.
• MONA Bus – Cheaper than the ferry but doesn’t leave or return as often. Suitable for wheelchair users (let them know beforehand though).
• Car – Saves you the cost of a ferry or bus, and you have ultimate flexibility – however parking is limited.
• Tour – Most expensive option, but everything is all planned out – no fuss.
• Bike – A fun way to get to MONA, while exploring Hobart’s northern suburbs.
• Bus (public) – Cheapest option, but limited by bus frequency.
• Taxi/Uber – A more expensive option, but flexible with timing.

How to catch the Hobart ferry to MONA

The Hobart ferry to MONA leaves from Brooke Street Pier at the Hobart waterfront, and it is heaps of fun for both adults and children!

As you can see from the timetable below, the MONA ferry departs from both ends roughly hourly. The first ferry leaves Hobart at 9:15am, and the last ferry departing MONA back to Hobart leaves at 5pm (or 6pm during summer/peak season).

The cruise takes around 25 minutes each way, and there are plenty of seats both inside and outdoors.

Please note that the jetty at MONA is not yet wheelchair accessible. If you require the use of a wheelchair (or pram, walking frame or scooter) then your best option is to book the MONA bus (below).

There are two types of ticket available for the MONA ferry:

• Regular ticket – $25pp, children under 4 years are free
• ‘Posh Pit’ ticket – $60pp (see my itinerary above for all the inclusions my wife and I received!)

All tickets include your return journey.

To buy your tickets you can either buy them online (recommended), or you can buy them from the stall inside Brooke Street Pier. The ferry is extremely popular in summer, so I strongly recommend buying your tickets online if possible.

Lockers are available at Brooke Street pier if you need to store small items of baggage.

How to catch the MONA Bus

Catching the MONA Bus is also very easy, however as it isn’t as popular as the ferry it doesn’t have as many departure times.

The table below shows you the available times, to and from MONA.

Tickets cost $15pp for a return journey, and it takes around 30 minutes to get to MONA from Brooke Street Pier.

You can buy your tickets online or from Brooke Street pier.

Don’t forget to have a look at the back of the bus and to take a photo – it’s very funny!

How to drive to MONA

If you are a local, or you have rented a vehicle for you holiday in Tasmania, then driving to MONA is a great option.

Personally, I think experiencing the MONA Ferry is an absolute ‘must’ for any Tassie holiday, but if you need to save a few dollars then driving yourself is the way to go.

The roads out to MONA are in good condition and sealed all the way. Simply take the Brooker Highway out of central Hobart for about 15-20 minutes and then take the Chigwell off-ramp and follow the signs.

Parking is free, but very limited at MONA – I advise arriving early during summer.

A tour is a great way to see MONA, without needing to worry about planning all the details of your day.

There are a lot of fantastic tour companies in Hobart that offer MONA tours, and these are a few of my favourites:

• Hobart City Tour + MONA (from $115pp) – Includes a Hobart city tour by tram-bus, and entry to MONA
• Moorilla’s Wine Meets Art Tou r (from $190pp) – Includes wine tasting at Moorilla Estate, lunch at the Source restaurant, and entry to MONA
• MONA and Moorilla Winery ‘Posh As’ Tou r (from $450pp) – Includes ‘Posh Pit’ ferry transfer, a private wine tasting with the Moorilla Estate Ambassador, 2-course lunch at The Source Restaurant with matched wines, MONA entry, and complementary bottle of wine

How to ride a bike to the Hobart MONA Museum

Hobart is a ridiculously hilly city, but what a lot of people don’t realise is that there is a brilliant intercity cycleway that takes you from the Hobart waterfront along the river and up to Hobart’s northern suburbs – including the Hobart MONA Museum!

As it follows the river, the cycleway ascends slightly along its length, and there aren’t any large hills at all. Your level of fitness and the number of food/drink/photo stops will determine how long it will take – I’d be allowing 1-2 hours.

There are a few options in town to choose from and all are great. The last time my wife and I did this we chose to hire a bike from Hobart Bike Hire , as they have an outlet right by the waterfront.

Prices range from $30-50 for a full day hire (less for children).

How to catch the public bus from Hobart to MONA

Catching the bus to MONA is definitely possible, and it is cheaper than the other options, but you will lose some time while waiting for buses or due to bad traffic. Buses in Hobart don’t tend to run very often on weekends either.

There are five buses you can catch that will take you past the entrance of MONA – 510, 521, 520, 522, X20. The 605 is also an option, however service is very limited. Allow around 30 minutes from the Hobart CBD.

Travelling from Hobart to MONA by bus will take you through two ‘Zones’, meaning a one-way ticket will cost around $4.80 for adults, $2.40 for concession holders, and $1.90 for children under five years.

Tickets can be purchased on board the bus.

To save 20% on fares, there is also the option of buying a prepaid ‘Greencard’ from the Metro Shop or the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre by the waterfront.

For more information, including timetables and route maps, visit the MetroTas website .

How much does a taxi or Uber cost to MONA?

Taxis and Ubers are a very flexible way of getting to and from the Hobart MONA Museum.

Costs will vary based on the time of day, but I would allow $25-30 each way.

Where to eat and drink at MONA

There are six places you can grab a feed at MONA, with menus and budgets to cater for all types of traveller:

• FARO Bar and Restaurant – Set menu, available for both lunch (Fri-Mon) and dinner (Fri-Sun). Includes a performance as well – the theme changes every few months.
• Dubsy’s Food Truck – Specialising in burgers, but with a range of other quick and tasty options as well.
• The Source Restaurant – High end dining. Lunch only (Fri-Mon).
• Moorilla Wine Bar – Share plates, seasonal treats, breads, pastries, and an extensive list of beverages. Open Friday to Monday from 9am until close.
• Void Bar – Cocktails, wines, beers, pizzetas, sweets and snacks. Located inside MONA, so you will need a ticket.
• Cellar Door – Wine tastings available from Friday through to Monday, 12-5pm.

Where to stay near MONA

The absolute best place to stay near MONA is on the grounds of MONA itself at MONA Pavilions . It isn’t cheap, but I don’t know that you would find a better place to stay anywhere in Tasmania!

Each pavilion is perched on the cliffs of the Derwent River, where you can relax in your bath and soak up the incredible views. Being on-site, you also have the freedom to explore the MONA Museum grounds after hours, without all the crowds, to your heart’s content!

You will also love these options near the Hobart waterfront, with nearly all being just a few minutes walk to Brooke Street Pier and the ferry:

• Campers and caravanners – Discovery Parks Hobart (less than 15 mins drive from both Brooke Street Pier and MONA – use my LAPOFTAS code for 20% OFF – bookable from 6 February 2023 to 5 February 2024, valid for site and cabin stays until 30 April 2024 )
• Families on a budget – Edinburgh Gallery B&B
• Couples on a budget – Alabama Hotel
• Great value for families and couples – RACV/RACT Hotel
• Families or couples who want to be on the water – Somerset on the Pier
• Storytelling experience for couples – MACq 01
• Ultimate luxury for couples – The Tasman

– FAQs –

I get a lot of questions about MONA, so I thought I would include the most popular ones here.

How long to spend at MONA?

If you are wondering how long to spend at MONA, I always recommend allowing 2 hours as an absolute minimum, and up to 8 hours (a full day) if you know you are going to love MONA.

The reason I say 2 hours, is that it will take an hour or more to simply wander the labyrinthine corridors and walkways of the museum (even if you end up not liking the art installations), as well as allowing 30 minutes or more to explore the museum grounds.

Add in drinks and a meal and most people find that allowing 4 hours at MONA – a half-day – is about right.

MONA Museum cost / Is MONA free?

Lucky you if you’re a Tasmanian, because MONA is FREE for locals, with a $10 refundable deposit.

Non-Tasmanians will need to pay an entry fee of around $30pp for adults, or $27pp for concession holders. Children under 18 years are free.

MONA Tasmania opening hours / When is MONA open?

MONA is open four days per week – from Friday through to Monday.

MONA Tasmania opening hours each day are from 10am to 5pm (or 6pm during the annual Dark MOFO Festival).

Can you drive to MONA Museum?

Yes, you can drive to MONA Museum. Scroll up, where I have all the details!

Is it worth getting the ferry to MONA?

Absolutely! It is definitely worth getting the ferry to MONA.

The ferry is full of quirky things to make your journey fun, and the bar has an excellent variety of Tasmanian wines, beers, spirits and cocktails. It also takes you up the beautiful River Derwent, presenting wonderful views of Mt Wellington, Salamanca waterfront, and the lovely eastern shore.

A lot of travellers tell me that they actually liked the ferry to MONA even more than the museum itself!

Is the ‘Posh Pit’ worth it?

If you are a foodie, or love the finer things in life, then you will really enjoy the ‘Posh Pit’ experience.

Young children will prefer exploring the main parts of the ferry that come with a regular ticket, and adults who aren’t interested in foodie experiences probably won’t feel that the ‘Posh Pit’ represents good value either.

Where is MONA Museum?

The Hobart MONA Museum is located at 655 Main Road, Berriedale, Tasmania 7011 – here

Final thoughts on MONA Tasmania

Whether it is the awe inspiring architecture, the weird and wonderful exhibits, or simply a case of insatiable curiosity… I hope I have helped convince you to put MONA Tasmania onto your Tassie itinerary!

Yes, it is controversial, but Tasmania is all the better for having such an exceptional global icon right on its doorstep, and I have no doubt that an exploration of this subterranean temple to the bizarre will create memories that last a lifetime.

If you enjoyed this guide to MONA then I’ve got a feeling you might also find these articles helpful in continuing your holiday planning:

• Hobart Day-Trip Planner (eBook)
• 14-Day ‘Ultimate’ Tasmania Itinerary – Where to stay, things to see and do, travel times and distances, and lots more
• Discounts and exclusive deals – Save money on your Tassie holiday
• Car Hire in Tasmania – Everything you need to know, and how to save money
• Campervan and Motorhome Guide – Compare all the options
• Hobart Accommodation Guide – My favourite places to stay

Happy and safe travels!

Andrew Strikis

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About the tour

The museum of old and new art ( mona ) is home to one of the most controversial private collections of modern art and antiquities in the world. “discover the private life of art” with a mona private tour..

MONA Art Gallery is becoming one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tasmania and as the largest privately funded museum in Australia the collection is extensive and varied. Located within the Moorilla winery and vineyard, spanning 3.5 hectares, explore this unique destination with a personally customised MONA Private Tour.

MONA is situated on the pristine foreshore of Berriedale Bay and offers visitors a very delightful experience with an intimate cinema, cellar door, restaurant, wine bar and stylish accommodation. Enjoy a private boat ride along the Derwent River right to the entrance of MONA and explore the unique and outstanding art exhibition. Alternative transportation can be arranged on the Ferry to MONA, offering an exclusive lounge with complimentary drinks, canapés and contemporary artworks. The ride takes approximately 25 – 30 minutes and promises smooth sailing, rain, hail or shine.

Our mona tours can also be incorporated into a customised tour of hobart city., alternative options.

Include this experience into your private Hobart day tour.

Your personal travel consultant will create an unforgettable itinerary for you based around your interests. Your MONA Private Tour is conducted in a private, well-appointed vehicle with an expert local tour guide and includes accommodation transfers, water, and general entry fees in the itinerary above.

We are also able to incorporate a package of private tours, exclusive experiences, and accommodation across Australia.

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Guide to Visiting The MONA Museum in Hobart, Tasmania

MONA Museum, or the Museum of Old and New Art, has been billed as the place that revitalized Hobart and put it high up on the must-see destination list of Tasmania in Australia.

It is the largest privately funded museum in Australia and I’ve been keen for years to see what all the fuss is about. It’s not only a place for art lovers, but it’s a space for entertainment.

The founder David Walsh has described the museum as a “subversive adult Disneyland.” This might be why it’s considered one of the best things to do in Hobart .

I was more interested in the winery and off site brewery attached and the photos of people lazing around on bean bags with beautiful river views that I always see of MONA.

If you’re thinking of visiting MONA but not sure what it’s all about, here is an overview of our experience…

About Mona Museum

• Cost: $35 per adult. Under 18 tourists and concessions $10. Under 12s enter for free.
• Getting There: The MR-1 Fast Ferry takes 30 minutes from Hobart and costs from $20. For other options click here.
• Opening Hours: Open 5 days a week from 10am–5pm. Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They are closed Wednesday and Tuesdays. For holiday periods click here .
• Website: For full details on your visit to MONA visit the MONA website.

The Mona Museum is not just a public art museum. MONA frequently showcases large-scale art and performance events.

It was founded by art collector David Walsh, who built the museum on the banks of the River Derwent, on the Berriedale Peninsula in Hobart.

The museum is accessible via ferry which is just as arty as David Walsh’s collection inside. You can sail in the “Posh Pit” which is a private deck with a wine bar and canapes.

The MONA site also sits on the Moorilla Estate, a huge winery that you can also visit as part of your trip to MONA.

There are also two restaurants and bars, a gift shop, and cafes, as well as luxury accommodation pavilions where guests can stay.

The architecture is impressive. It contrasts against the landscape with its hard, angular, and industrial-looking facade. It has a podium, a grassy lawn area, and a garden with native plants. There’s also a tennis court.

In the summer, they host two festivals; the summer festival in January, Mona Foma, which has a mix of music and art. In June, there is the Dark Mofo winter festival, which showcases centuries-old winter solstice rituals. It celebrates darkness through art, music, food, and film.

You can get a guided tour of MONA from Hobart which includes your entrance ticket, ferry ride and a knowledgable guide.

Our Experience Visiting MONA

Our trip to MONA started on the ferry, which is an experience in itself. You can reach MONA by road, but we felt a trip up the Derwent River would make the experience all that more special.

The weather wasn’t helping out so much, but the sheep seats did. Kalyra and Savannah were instantly put into the right joyful mood to enter an art gallery with.

We pulled up to the dock and got an inkling of the architectural grandeur of the building carved into the cliff face.

Inside the museum entrance is a spiral staircase that leads down to three larger levels of display spaces built into the side of the cliffs.

It made the experience inside the gallery that more special, walking down into the cavernous depths to be confronted by graphic images, ones that caused you to dig a little deeper into your thought recesses, and those that were a little more playful.

The MONA museum is not just about standing there and staring at a painting on the wall, hoping to get a chance to read what it’s about or figure it out yourself. You’re a part of the experience as you move through.

I’m not one for art galleries or museums so wasn’t sure that it would wow me.

You’re given an O – which is an iPod device. It helps you discover what each of the artworks is with some thoughts from the founder David Walsh and sometimes the artist’s voices themselves.

There were exhibitions such as the pulse, which gives you the chance to have a light bulb measure your pulse.

Or a trampoline you can jump on to create music with the bells hanging below.

These were the first exhibits we saw and the girls were hooked. So was I.

It’s by far the best, most interesting, and fun art gallery I’ve ever been to.

It was made even more special that the girls enjoyed doing it as well. The only complaint that was heard was when we had finished. Kalyra whined that she wanted to go back in and see more.

Even though the art and the concepts were above her head, I loved the exposure the trip to MONA gave her to art and the idea that the world can be interpreted in many different and fun ways, and from that perspective, you can create pieces of work that people from around the world flock to in their thousands to see.

My favourite exhibits were the weather instrument – a machine that was powered by the wind, which moved a pencil that created a drawing – an artwork by the wind. I LOVED it!

I also loved the concept of the fat car – an obese Porsche showing the effects of consumerism.

There was also a mummy room called the Pharos Wing, which featured underground galleries and some large-scale artworks by James Turrell which has a light show at sunrise and sunset.

In 2017, a tunnel called Siloam, was built connecting to the Pharos Wing and cost $18 million to make. Here you can see the work of Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, who was famously convicted and jailed for the art he made.

It also has The Divine Comedy by Alfredo Jaar, which takes visitors on a journey through the three chambers of the afterlife (paradise, purgatory, and heaven).

But the artwork is not restricted to the inside, there’s some outdoor art too. There’s the Charles Ross’ magical Spectrum Chamber where the children can jump on the trampoline and see rainbow colors.

The most fun one was the white cubed room. Inside were 30 TV screens, with Madonna’s biggest fans singing the entire Immaculate Conception album in acapella. It was fun to watch and I almost jumped up and belted out the words to Borderline with them.

The only one I did not like was the human excrement machine, Cloaca Professional by Wim Delvoye. I think we arrived when it was pooping time and the smell drove me out before I could take a good look.

MONA sure is designed to open your mind – it’s a good place to learn about “It’s not better or worse, just different.”

You can do cellar tours of Moorilla Winery, but we opted for a Moo Brew Beer and a glass of wine from the Bogan Bar.

Which was very fitting for me, as I did wear my UGG boots to MONA. True bogan form, at 15 degrees and high winds, I was freezing. And I’m more about comfort than fashion.

If you like wine and art, you will love this tour you can book through Get Your Guide. The Moorilla’s Wine Meets Mona Art Day Tour includes wine tasting at Moorilla Estate, lunch at the Source Restaurant and explore Mona, the Museum of Old and New Art. See rates and availability here or below

Final Thoughts on Visiting MONA in Hobart

MONA gets the big thumbs up from us, despite our apathetic art appreciation. Put it on your Australia list for sure.

BUT, when you do come down here to visit Mona, make sure you tack on a couple of extra weeks to see some other things to do in Tasmania.

This country is SOOOOO great and has so much to offer.

There is so much to take in at Mona, you need at least half a day. We enjoyed lunch in the cafe with views out to the river, before walking to the winery area out the back.

In the summer, there is usually some live music happening outside. There was a big gospel choir event on.

While that is not my thing, it was great to sit on the grass and do some lawn-lounging, while the girls played and danced to some upbeat music.

I can only imagine how great a venue it would be when the MOFO festival takes place in January.

Where to stay in Hobart

• YHA Hostel  – smack bang in the centre of Hobart with an easy walk to everything in the city and waterfront, the YHA is your  best   budget  option. Clean, comfortable and with a variety of room options. We stayed there in a family room with private ensuite and were very comfortable.
• Salamanca Inn  – excellent mid-level accommodation in a perfect location. Stumble 50m to Salamanca Place and enjoy the markets and everything on offer and walk to the best Hobart has to offer. This all-suite hotel with self-contained apartments was great for us as a family. You can read our review here
• Crowne Plaza Hobart, a 4-Star IHG Hotel. Guests love it for room, the location with a short stroll to the Pier and Salamanca Restaurants and markets, fantastic views from the floor to ceiling windows, and great breakfast.

More ideas for Hobart (and nearby destinations)

• A guide to the fantastic Salamanca Markets
• A Guide to Port Arthur and their awesome ghost tour
• 3 Hours of Unspoilt Wilderness on a Bruny Island Cruise in Tasmania
• What to do in Hobart, Tasmania
• How To Get The Best views of Hazards Beach, Tasmania
• Awesome things to do on Bruny Island, Tasmania
• 24 Best Places to Visit in Tasmania

Disclaimer: We visited as guests of MONA, but all thoughts, ideas, and opinions in this guide are our own. You can also read what other travelers have to say at TripAdvisor

Museum of Old and New Art (Mona)

Top ways to experience Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

MUSEUM OF OLD AND NEW ART (MONA): All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• (0.13 km) Mona Pavilions
• (0.51 km) Riverfront Motel & Villas
• (0.54 km) Treasure Island Caravan Parks
• (0.82 km) Colonial Accommodation @ Undine
• (8.81 km) The Corinda Collection
• (0.05 km) Mona Cafe
• (0.09 km) The Source
• (0.09 km) Moorilla Wine Bar, Mona
• (0.11 km) Faro
• (0.51 km) Riverfront Motel Restaurant & Bar
• (0.16 km) Moorilla Estate Winery
• (0.69 km) Railway Roundabout
• (8.59 km) Evolo Room Escape
• (9.83 km) Tasmanian Mountain Bike Adventures
• (9.78 km) kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus

MONA FOMA calls it quits, with founder David Walsh admitting 'spell has worn off'

• In short: The founder of Tasmania's MONA FOMA event has announced the recent February/March iteration of the festival was its last, in part due to it being "poorly attended".
• The boundary-pushing event, established in 2008, featured international and local artists and ran over several weeks.
• What's next?  Founder David Walsh, who also runs the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), says the demands of that enterprise means "some things have to go before I'm too far gone".

Tasmania's MONA FOMA event has been "killed" and will not continue after its owner said the "spell has worn off".

In a statement published on Friday afternoon, MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) owner and founder David Walsh acknowledged the most recent FOMA (Festival of Music and Art) event was "poorly attended", and was one of the reasons for the festival's axing after 16 years.

"MONA FOMA took us around the world. But it ends here," Walsh wrote.

"Maybe the end started at COVID. Maybe it's because the last festival was a poorly attended artistic triumph. But those aren't the reasons I killed it.

"I know that we live for experience but, more and more, I seek permanence, a symbolic immortality. At MONA, I'm building this big thing, hopefully it'll be a good thing, but it's a costly thing. I'm addicted to building, and my addiction got out of hand.

"Some things have to go before I'm too far gone."

Walsh said the experience had "been magical, but the spell has worn off".

"Greatest gratitude to those who helped put it together. I hope it was as good for you as it was for me."

People have taken to social media to express their disappointment at the news of MONA FOMA'S ending.

"No mo fomo," wrote one.

"Watching the woman in a wetsuit with seaweed dreadlocks playing drums in a cage while she was submerged off Constitution Dock has been a highlight of my life," said another.

MONA FOMA is the latest in a string of scrapped festivals across the nation.

Friday's news follows the cancellation of this year's Splendour in the Grass festival which was canned due to "unexpected events".

Groovin The Moo has also pulled the pin only a couple of weeks after announcing its line-up.

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The Moscow Metro Museum of Art: 10 Must-See Stations

There are few times one can claim having been on the subway all afternoon and loving it, but the Moscow Metro provides just that opportunity.  While many cities boast famous public transport systems—New York’s subway, London’s underground, San Salvador’s chicken buses—few warrant hours of exploration.  Moscow is different: Take one ride on the Metro, and you’ll find out that this network of railways can be so much more than point A to B drudgery.

The Metro began operating in 1935 with just thirteen stations, covering less than seven miles, but it has since grown into the world’s third busiest transit system ( Tokyo is first ), spanning about 200 miles and offering over 180 stops along the way.  The construction of the Metro began under Joseph Stalin’s command, and being one of the USSR’s most ambitious building projects, the iron-fisted leader instructed designers to create a place full of svet (radiance) and svetloe budushchee (a radiant future), a palace for the people and a tribute to the Mother nation.

Consequently, the Metro is among the most memorable attractions in Moscow.  The stations provide a unique collection of public art, comparable to anything the city’s galleries have to offer and providing a sense of the Soviet era, which is absent from the State National History Museum.  Even better, touring the Metro delivers palpable, experiential moments, which many of us don’t get standing in front of painting or a case of coins.

Though tours are available , discovering the Moscow Metro on your own provides a much more comprehensive, truer experience, something much less sterile than following a guide.  What better place is there to see the “real” Moscow than on mass transit: A few hours will expose you to characters and caricatures you’ll be hard-pressed to find dining near the Bolshoi Theater.  You become part of the attraction, hear it in the screech of the train, feel it as hurried commuters brush by: The Metro sucks you beneath the city and churns you into the mix.

With the recommendations of our born-and-bred Muscovite students, my wife Emma and I have just taken a self-guided tour of what some locals consider the top ten stations of the Moscow Metro. What most satisfied me about our Metro tour was the sense of adventure .  I loved following our route on the maps of the wagon walls as we circled the city, plotting out the course to the subsequent stops; having the weird sensation of being underground for nearly four hours; and discovering the next cavern of treasures, playing Indiana Jones for the afternoon, piecing together fragments of Russia’s mysterious history.  It’s the ultimate interactive museum.

Top Ten Stations (In order of appearance)

Kievskaya station.

Kievskaya Station went public in March of 1937, the rails between it and Park Kultury Station being the first to cross the Moscow River.  Kievskaya is full of mosaics depicting aristocratic scenes of Russian life, with great cameo appearances by Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin.  Each work has a Cyrillic title/explanation etched in the marble beneath it; however, if your Russian is rusty, you can just appreciate seeing familiar revolutionary dates like 1905 ( the Russian Revolution ) and 1917 ( the October Revolution ).

Mayakovskaya Station

Mayakovskaya Station ranks in my top three most notable Metro stations. Mayakovskaya just feels right, done Art Deco but no sense of gaudiness or pretention.  The arches are adorned with rounded chrome piping and create feeling of being in a jukebox, but the roof’s expansive mosaics of the sky are the real showstopper.  Subjects cleverly range from looking up at a high jumper, workers atop a building, spires of Orthodox cathedrals, to nimble aircraft humming by, a fleet of prop planes spelling out CCCP in the bluest of skies.

Novoslobodskaya Station

Novoslobodskaya is the Metro’s unique stained glass station.  Each column has its own distinctive panels of colorful glass, most of them with a floral theme, some of them capturing the odd sailor, musician, artist, gardener, or stenographer in action.  The glass is framed in Art Deco metalwork, and there is the lovely aspect of discovering panels in the less frequented haunches of the hall (on the trackside, between the incoming staircases).  Novosblod is, I’ve been told, the favorite amongst out-of-town visitors.

Komsomolskaya Station

Komsomolskaya Station is one of palatial grandeur.  It seems both magnificent and obligatory, like the presidential palace of a colonial city.  The yellow ceiling has leafy, white concrete garland and a series of golden military mosaics accenting the tile mosaics of glorified Russian life.  Switching lines here, the hallway has an Alice-in-Wonderland feel, impossibly long with decorative tile walls, culminating in a very old station left in a remarkable state of disrepair, offering a really tangible glimpse behind the palace walls.

Dostoevskaya Station

Dostoevskaya is a tribute to the late, great hero of Russian literature .  The station at first glance seems bare and unimpressive, a stark marble platform without a whiff of reassembled chips of tile.  However, two columns have eerie stone inlay collages of scenes from Dostoevsky’s work, including The Idiot , The Brothers Karamazov , and Crime and Punishment.   Then, standing at the center of the platform, the marble creates a kaleidoscope of reflections.  At the entrance, there is a large, inlay portrait of the author.

Chkalovskaya Station

Chkalovskaya does space Art Deco style (yet again).  Chrome borders all.  Passageways with curvy overhangs create the illusion of walking through the belly of a chic, new-age spacecraft.  There are two (kos)mosaics, one at each end, with planetary subjects.  Transferring here brings you above ground, where some rather elaborate metalwork is on display.  By name similarity only, I’d expected Komsolskaya Station to deliver some kosmonaut décor; instead, it was Chkalovskaya that took us up to the space station.

Elektrozavodskaya Station

Elektrozavodskaya is full of marble reliefs of workers, men and women, laboring through the different stages of industry.  The superhuman figures are round with muscles, Hollywood fit, and seemingly undeterred by each Herculean task they respectively perform.  The station is chocked with brass, from hammer and sickle light fixtures to beautiful, angular framework up the innards of the columns.  The station’s art pieces are less clever or extravagant than others, but identifying the different stages of industry is entertaining.

Baumanskaya Statio

Baumanskaya Station is the only stop that wasn’t suggested by the students.  Pulling in, the network of statues was just too enticing: Out of half-circle depressions in the platform’s columns, the USSR’s proud and powerful labor force again flaunts its success.  Pilots, blacksmiths, politicians, and artists have all congregated, posing amongst more Art Deco framing.  At the far end, a massive Soviet flag dons the face of Lenin and banners for ’05, ’17, and ‘45.  Standing in front of the flag, you can play with the echoing roof.

Ploshchad Revolutsii Station

Novokuznetskaya Station

Novokuznetskaya Station finishes off this tour, more or less, where it started: beautiful mosaics.  This station recalls the skyward-facing pieces from Mayakovskaya (Station #2), only with a little larger pictures in a more cramped, very trafficked area.  Due to a line of street lamps in the center of the platform, it has the atmosphere of a bustling market.  The more inventive sky scenes include a man on a ladder, women picking fruit, and a tank-dozer being craned in.  The station’s also has a handsome black-and-white stone mural.

Here is a map and a brief description of our route:

Start at (1)Kievskaya on the “ring line” (look for the squares at the bottom of the platform signs to help you navigate—the ring line is #5, brown line) and go north to Belorusskaya, make a quick switch to the Dark Green/#2 line, and go south one stop to (2)Mayakovskaya.  Backtrack to the ring line—Brown/#5—and continue north, getting off at (3)Novosblodskaya and (4)Komsolskaya.  At Komsolskaya Station, transfer to the Red/#1 line, go south for two stops to Chistye Prudy, and get on the Light Green/#10 line going north.  Take a look at (5)Dostoevskaya Station on the northern segment of Light Green/#10 line then change directions and head south to (6)Chkalovskaya, which offers a transfer to the Dark Blue/#3 line, going west, away from the city center.  Have a look (7)Elektroskaya Station before backtracking into the center of Moscow, stopping off at (8)Baumskaya, getting off the Dark Blue/#3 line at (9)Ploschad Revolyutsii.  Change to the Dark Green/#2 line and go south one stop to see (10)Novokuznetskaya Station.

Check out our new Moscow Indie Travel Guide , book a flight to Moscow and read 10 Bars with Views Worth Blowing the Budget For

Jonathon Engels, formerly a patron saint of misadventure, has been stumbling his way across cultural borders since 2005 and is currently volunteering in the mountains outside of Antigua, Guatemala.  For more of his work, visit his website and blog .

Photo credits:   SergeyRod , all others courtesy of the author and may not be used without permission

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Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.