If you want to experience a museum that feels more like an underground lair or a fever dream… this is where you go.
Created by Tasmanian gambler and art collector David Walsh, MONA is the largest privately-owned museum in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s famous for its “subversive Disneyland” vibe, trading traditional white-walled galleries for dark, windowless chambers carved directly into the sandstone cliffs.
Provocative and often “NSFW” contemporary art
Deeply atmospheric, labyrinthine underground design
The “O” app: a high-tech guide that replaces traditional placards
A world-class winery, brewery, and experimental restaurants on-site
Accessed via a high-speed ferry with sheep-shaped seats
It’s a place designed to make you feel—whether that feeling is awe, confusion, or a slight sense of danger.
While you can drive, the journey is considered a core part of the experience.
The MONA Roma Ferry: Departs from Brooke Street Pier. It’s a 25-minute scenic cruise up the Derwent River. (Upgrade to the “Posh Pit” for free-flowing bubbles and snacks).
Driving: About 15–20 minutes from Hobart CBD.
Parking: Free parking is available on-site at Berriedale.
The 99 Steps: Most ferry passengers arrive at the base of the massive staircase, though there is an accessible tunnel entry for those who prefer to skip the climb.
👉 Tip: Download the “The O” app on your phone before you arrive. It uses GPS to tell you exactly what you’re looking at as you walk through the museum.
The museum is almost entirely underground, and you start your journey by descending a massive spiral staircase into “The Void.”
You start with the Headliners:
Snake by Sidney Nolan: A monumental mural made of 1,620 individual paintings that stretches across a giant curved wall.
Cloaca Professional (The Poop Machine): A scientific installation that replicates the human digestive system. It is fed twice a day and… well, it does exactly what you’d expect.
The Void Bar: Located 17 meters underground, it’s the perfect place for a cocktail surrounded by raw sandstone walls.
Then you explore the Light & Dark: 👉 Pharos & Siloam These newer wings house massive, immersive light installations by James Turrell and an intricate tunnel system featuring works by Ai Weiwei. Pharos is bright and airy, providing a sharp contrast to the moody catacombs of the main building.
MONA is an evolving beast, with exhibitions that frequently rotate or move.
What you shouldn’t miss:
The Library: A stunning, quiet space filled with Walsh’s personal collection of rare books and artifacts.
Event Horizon: One of the James Turrell light works that completely dissolves your sense of depth and space.
The Lawn: A massive outdoor area perfect for lounging on beanbags with a “Moo Brew” beer while listening to live music.
The Ladies Lounge: A famous (and legally controversial) space that celebrates exclusivity and high-concept installation art.
👉 These spots ensure that even if you aren’t an “art person,” there is something to capture your curiosity.
MONA is full of secrets that are easy to walk right past.
The Grotto: A quiet, reflective space tucked away that feels like an ancient temple.
The Chapel: A small, intense room that often features some of the most challenging video art in the collection.
Moorilla Wine Tasting: Most people stick to the museum, but the Cellar Door offers some of Tasmania’s finest cool-climate wines.
The Cemetery: Part of MONA’s “Eternity Membership”—yes, people actually pay to have their remains housed here.
👉 If you want the best “non-art” view, head to the balcony of The Source restaurant for a panoramic look over the river and the museum’s geometric roof.
✔ Cashless: The entire site is 100% cashless. Bring your card or phone.
✔ Free for Tasmanians: Locals get in free with a $5 refundable deposit (pre-booking is still essential).
✔ For everyone else, entry is roughly $39 for adults, but prices can vary by season.
But…
❗ Closed Tuesday & Wednesday: Make sure you check the calendar before planning your trip.
❗ Adult Themes: Many exhibitions deal with sex, death, and religion in very direct ways. It’s not your average “family-friendly” museum.
❗ Timed Entry: You must book a specific time slot, and popular times (especially ferry departures) sell out days in advance.
👉 Best advice? Don’t try to “understand” everything. MONA is designed to be felt rather than studied. If you don’t like a piece, just keep walking—there’s always something weirder in the next room.
MONA is built on the site of the historic Moorilla Estate, which was a pioneer of the Tasmanian wine industry.
The architecture was designed by Fender Katsalidis to “disappear” into the landscape.
It serves as a massive memento mori—a reminder of mortality and the fleeting nature of human existence.
It has completely transformed Hobart’s economy, leading to the “MONA Effect” which brought a surge of tourism and art to the city.
Today, it is a global cultural icon: 👉 A place that proves art doesn’t have to be boring, and that a museum can be a place for a party just as much as a place for reflection.
It’s the ultimate half-day or full-day destination. Pair it with:
A Waterfront Lunch: Grab a quick bite at the museum’s Faro or Heavy Metal Kitchen.
The Ferry Ride Home: Take the last ferry back to catch the sunset over the Hobart waterfront.
Salamanca: On a Saturday, you can spend the morning at the markets and catch a midday ferry to MONA.
👉 It is the one “must-see” that everyone will ask you about when you get home.
