Museum of Old and New Art
Quick answer
Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart, Australia — mONA — David Walsh's subterranean museum on the Berriedale peninsula, accessible by ferry from Hobart. Open Friday to Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Admission: From A$45 standard admission. Allow 3–4 hours and book a timed ticket ahead.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Museum of Old and New Art at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Friday to Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Closed | Tue–Thu |
| Admission | From A$45 standard admission |
| Free or reduced entry | Tasmanian residents free · Dark Mofo festival events separate |
| Booking | Book a timed ticket in advance — peak slots sell out |
| Time needed | 3–4 hours |
| Best time to visit | Friday to Monday when the museum is open (closed Tue–Thu). |
| Getting there | Ferry: MONA ferry from Brooke Street Pier, Hobart — 25-minute ride included with admission (book ahead) |
| Address | 655 Main Rd, Berriedale TAS 7011, Australia |
| Official website | mona.net.au |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Museum of Old and New Art known for?
MONA — the Museum of Old and New Art — is the creation of Tasmanian gambler and art collector David Walsh. Opened in 2011 on the Berriedale peninsula north of Hobart, it is carved into a sandstone cliff and accessible by a dedicated ferry from the city waterfront.
Walsh's collection deliberately juxtaposes ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities with provocative contemporary art — Wim Delvoye's Cloaca (a machine that replicates the digestive system), Christian Boltanski's immersive installations, and works exploring sex, death, and mortality.
The museum's irreverent tone — visitors explore via a handheld GPS guide called 'O' that replaces wall labels with Walsh's personal commentary — has made MONA one of the most talked-about private museums in the world.
Best for: Art Lovers
How long do you need at Museum of Old and New Art?
Allow 3–4 hours. A focused route through 5 must-see highlights at Museum of Old and New Art without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Cloaca Professional
📍 Level B2, Contemporary Gallery
A room-sized machine that eats food and produces faeces — Delvoye's grotesque commentary on the art market and the body as production line.
- 2
Snake
📍 Level B1, Australian Gallery
A 45-metre mural of 1,620 panels depicting the Rainbow Serpent — Nolan's monumental exploration of Australian Aboriginal mythology, displayed in a dedicated curved gallery.
- 3
Bit.fall
📍 Entrance Level
A waterfall of words — water droplets fall in patterns forming current news headlines, dissolving before they hit the ground.
- 4
Mummy and Coffins
📍 Level B3, Antiquities
An Egyptian mummy displayed alongside contemporary works about death — exemplifying Walsh's old-and-new juxtaposition strategy.
- 5
Kryptos
📍 Outdoor, Pharos Wing
A Turrell skyspace within MONA's Pharos extension — a chamber open to the sky that transforms perception of light at dawn and dusk.
What are the must-see works at Museum of Old and New Art?
5 highlights that define the collection: Cloaca Professional, Snake, Bit.fall and more.
Cloaca Professional
Wim Delvoye · 2010
📍 Level B2, Contemporary Gallery
A room-sized machine that eats food and produces faeces — Delvoye's grotesque commentary on the art market and the body as production line.
Snake
Sidney Nolan · 1970–72
📍 Level B1, Australian Gallery
A 45-metre mural of 1,620 panels depicting the Rainbow Serpent — Nolan's monumental exploration of Australian Aboriginal mythology, displayed in a dedicated curved gallery.
Bit.fall
Julius Popp · 2005
📍 Entrance Level
A waterfall of words — water droplets fall in patterns forming current news headlines, dissolving before they hit the ground.
Mummy and Coffins
Ptolemaic Egypt · c. 300 BCE
📍 Level B3, Antiquities
An Egyptian mummy displayed alongside contemporary works about death — exemplifying Walsh's old-and-new juxtaposition strategy.
Kryptos
James Turrell · 2010
📍 Outdoor, Pharos Wing
A Turrell skyspace within MONA's Pharos extension — a chamber open to the sky that transforms perception of light at dawn and dusk.
Collections and highlights
- • Wim Delvoye Cloaca
- • Sidney Nolan Snake mural
- • Ancient Egyptian and Greek antiquities
- • James Turrell Kryptos skyspace
- • MONA ferry from Hobart waterfront
Tips for visiting Museum of Old and New Art
- 1.
Best time to visit
Friday to Monday when the museum is open (closed Tue–Thu). The ferry departure from Hobart is part of the ritual — arrive at Brooke Street Pier 15 minutes early.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Instagram-famous installations and free museums can sell out timed slots weeks ahead.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
Book online well in advance — from A$45 including ferry. Tasmanian residents enter free but still need a ferry ticket. Dark Mofo festival events are separate.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Contemporary art districts (trendy neighbourhoods) usually have strong café and restaurant options nearby.
- 5.
Accessibility
The museum is largely underground with many stairs. Limited wheelchair access — contact MONA before visiting.
- 6.
Photography rules
Photography is permitted in most areas without flash. Some temporary installations restrict cameras.
How do you get to Museum of Old and New Art?
- ferry MONA ferry from Brooke Street Pier, Hobart — 25-minute ride included with admission (book ahead)
- car Drive to 655 Main Road, Berriedale — parking available on site
- bus Metro bus route 42 from Hobart CBD to Berriedale
- walk Not walkable from Hobart — the ferry is part of the experience
Address: 655 Main Rd, Berriedale TAS 7011, Australia
Museum of Old and New Art: frequently asked questions
How do you get to MONA from Hobart?
The MONA ferry departs from Brooke Street Pier in Hobart — a 25-minute ride up the Derwent River included with admission. Driving and parking are also available at Berriedale.
Why is MONA controversial?
Owner David Walsh's collection includes challenging contemporary works — including Wim Delvoye's Cloaca (a digestive machine) and explicit installations. The museum describes itself as a 'subversive adult Disneyland.'
How long should I spend at Museum of Old and New Art?
Plan 3–4 hours for the highlights of Museum of Old and New Art. Our 5-stop route — Cloaca Professional, Snake, Bit.fall and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Museum of Old and New Art best known for?
MONA — David Walsh's subterranean museum on the Berriedale peninsula, accessible by ferry from Hobart. Provocative contemporary art, antiquities, and Australia's most debated private collection. Key highlights include Wim Delvoye Cloaca, Sidney Nolan Snake mural, Ancient Egyptian and Greek antiquities.
How do I get tickets for Museum of Old and New Art?
Admission: From A$45 standard admission. Book a timed-entry ticket on the official website before you go — popular slots sell out in peak season. Official site: https://mona.net.au/
Is MONA suitable for children?
MONA describes itself as a "subversive adult Disneyland." Some content is explicit. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The ferry ride and outdoor areas are fine for all ages.
What is the O device?
A GPS-based handheld guide that replaces traditional wall labels with owner David Walsh's personal — often irreverent — commentary on each work. Pick one up at entry; it is included with admission.
Can Tasmanians visit for free?
Yes — Tasmanian residents enter the museum free but must still book and pay for the ferry (or drive). Proof of residency required.
Is Museum of Old and New Art open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays?
No — Museum of Old and New Art is closed every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (closing days: Tue–Thu). It is open Friday to Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Plan a different museum for those days, and check the official website for holiday changes.
What are Museum of Old and New Art's opening hours?
Museum of Old and New Art is open Friday to Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and closed Tue–Thu. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.