MONA Tasmania: What the Hell Did We Just See?

About 11 kilometres north of central Hobart at Berriedale, the Museum of Old and New Art — better known as MONA — is the creation of Tasmanian gambler, art collector and professional convention-breaker David Walsh.

And calling it an “art museum” really doesn’t do it justice.

Much of MONA is buried underground across three subterranean levels. There’s no sensible little path telling you where to go next, and traditional wall labels explaining every artwork have largely been replaced by The O, MONA’s app. It knows where you are, shows you what’s nearby and lets you dig into the story behind something — or simply keep wandering around blissfully confused.

That confusion is half the fun.

MONA’s collection and changing exhibitions can move from ancient objects and major contemporary works to darkness, noise, confronting imagery and installations that make you stop and ask the person beside you: “Is this actually art?”

There has even been a machine designed to replicate the human digestive system and produce actual poo. Yep. Cloaca Professional, by Belgian artist Wim Delvoye, is so deeply embedded in MONA folklore that you can now buy a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle of the famous “shit machine” in the MONA shop. Because apparently a fridge magnet wasn’t enough.

MONA doesn’t particularly care whether you love everything. In fact, The O lets visitors register whether they love or hate artworks, which feels refreshingly appropriate in a place designed to provoke a reaction rather than polite approval.

And the weirdness extends well beyond the galleries. There’s a library, winery, cellar door, bars, restaurants, live music, accommodation and even a tennis court. You can eat inside the museum at Faro, sip something in a bar surrounded by art or blow the budget completely on the 18+ Mona Like a Rockstar experience, which bundles the Posh Pit ferry, food, wine, art and suitably excessive treatment into one rather extravagant day.

Who’ll love it?

Couples, younger travellers, older travellers who haven’t become boring yet, art lovers and particularly people who normally say, “Museums aren't really my thing.” MONA may actually be more entertaining if you aren’t an art expert.

Families can visit too, although MONA itself warns that some artworks can be confronting or unsuitable for children, so parents should check The O for content warnings.

Make It Part of the Drive

If you’re road-tripping Tasmania, MONA is an easy Hobart addition. You can drive there in around 20 minutes from central Hobart, although parking at MONA is limited.

Our pick? Park the car in Hobart and catch MONA’s high-speed ferry from Brooke Street Pier. The trip takes about 30 minutes and the approach from the River Derwent feels like part of the attraction rather than merely transport.

DSP Tip: Don’t try to “understand” everything. Give yourself several hours, download The O beforehand, wear decent shoes and just wander. If you leave MONA saying, “What the hell was that?” you probably did it properly.

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