Museum of Old and New Art
Hobart · Australia · Founded 2011
Good for: Art Lovers
2011
Year Opened
A$45
Admission with Ferry
3–4 hours
Recommended Visit
Quick answer
Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart, Australia. Admission: From A$45 standard admission. Hours: Friday to Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Tue–Thu). 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.
About Museum of Old and New Art
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.
3–4 hours highlights route
A focused route through 5 must-see highlights at Museum of Old and New Art without museum fatigue. · 3–4 hours
- 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.
Masterworks & must-see highlights
The works that define Museum of Old and New Art — and why they matter.
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 & highlights
- • Wim Delvoye Cloaca
- • Sidney Nolan Snake mural
- • Ancient Egyptian and Greek antiquities
- • James Turrell Kryptos skyspace
- • MONA ferry from Hobart waterfront
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. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and 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?
From A$45 standard admission Tasmanian residents free · Dark Mofo festival events separate. Advance timed-entry booking is strongly recommended. 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.
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