MONA Hobart visit: ferry, tickets and how long to stay

A MONA Hobart visit is easy to plan once you know three things: where it is, how to get there and how long to give it. MONA is the Museum of Old and New Art. It opened on 21 January 2011 and sits on the Berriedale peninsula, on the River Derwent, just north of the city centre. Most visitors arrive by ferry from the Hobart waterfront. Plan on a half day at least, and a full day if you want to eat and look around the grounds.

This guide covers the building, the trip there, what to expect on entry and how to shape your time.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Museum of Old and New Art.

What MONA is

MONA is a private museum. It was founded by David Walsh, a Tasmanian collector, and it holds his own collection of ancient and modern art. It replaced the Moorilla Museum of Antiquities, which closed in 2006 for rebuilding.

The new building was designed by Fender Katsalidis Architects. The part you see from the road is a single storey with no windows. Almost all of the museum is underground, cut into the cliffs beside the river. Three lower levels hold the displays. A spiral staircase takes you down, and a maze of stairs and tunnels links the levels.

The museum was built this way to protect the setting of two older houses on the property, both designed by Roy Grounds. So the site looks quiet from above, but it takes real time to explore below.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Museum of Old and New Art.

Getting there from Hobart

The ferry is the way most people go. The boat runs up the River Derwent from the Hobart waterfront and lets you off at the museum. The river trip is part of the day, and it saves you the work of finding a car park.

If you would rather drive, the museum is on the Berriedale side of the river, north of the city. Check with the museum for car parking before you set out, as space on the site may be limited.

Ferry times and fares are set by the operator and can change from season to season. We do not list them here. Look at the museum's own website or ask at the Hobart visitor centre, and book your place on the boat if the operator allows it. Allow extra time on the way back, so you are not rushing to catch the last sailing.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Museum of Old and New Art.

Tickets and entry

Entry was free when MONA opened in 2011. Later in 2011 the museum announced an entry fee for visitors from interstate and overseas. Entry stays free for Tasmanians. If you live outside Tasmania, expect to pay.

The amount and the opening days can change. Confirm them on the museum's website before you go, and carry proof of where you live if you plan to claim the Tasmanian rate. Then add the cost of the ferry to your budget, since it is a separate charge.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Museum of Old and New Art.

How long to stay

Give the museum itself two to three hours. The building is large, and the winding layout means you will walk more than you expect. Many people go back to a room they liked, and that adds time.

Here are three ways to shape the day.

1. Half day: take a morning ferry, spend the middle of the day inside, and return in the afternoon.
2. Full day: add a meal on the estate and some time outside by the river.
3. Short stop: if you only have an hour, pick one level and see it well, rather than rushing all three.

Wear comfortable shoes. There are many stairs, and you will be on your feet for most of the visit. Ask at the front desk about step-free routes if anyone in your group finds stairs hard.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Museum of Old and New Art. The visit lengths above are our own planning advice.

Food and the rest of the estate

MONA stands on the Moorilla estate, which is a working winery. A 2011 report said the winery, a brewery, a restaurant and a hotel on the same site help to pay the museum's running costs. That means you can eat and drink on site and make a longer day of it.

If you plan a meal, ask when you buy your ferry ticket whether you should book a table. Popular times fill up, so a short phone call beforehand can save a wait. Remember that you are on a river peninsula, so bring a light jacket in case the wind picks up.

Tasmania in March is early autumn, so days can be mild and nights cool. Look at the forecast the evening before, and plan your time outside around it.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Museum of Old and New Art.

Plan checklist

• Choose a half day or a full day.
• Check the museum's opening days and the ferry times.
• Book your ferry place and any meal if you can.
• Bring proof of address if you live in Tasmania.
• Wear shoes you can climb stairs in.

Times, fares and rules change, so always check the official sources before you travel. This is general travel information.

Sources

1. Wikipedia, Museum of Old and New Art: en.wikipedia.org