David Walsh

I had a fabulous day at Mona, the Museum of old and new in Hobart, Tasmania.  Its one of these museums I would place in the ‘best 100 museums of the world’ category.  Both for the curation of the shows as for the experience.  Currently showing until the 2nd of April 2018 is the amazing collection of the Museum of Everything, celebrating outsider art.

Mona, designed by Melbourne architect bureau Fender Katsalidis and privately owned by David Walsh, is largely built underground and sits on the waterfront at the river Derwent.  The building is best appreciated when arriving from the water. Mona operates a ferry, which leaves from Brooke Street Pier in central Hobart and for the view, it’s worth paying extra for the water ride.  Book the ferry through Mona and enjoy the company of sheep and cows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the highlights for me at Mona is the James Turrell light installation, Amarna, which starts at sunset.  The installation is outside the museum so you don’t need a ticket – just pop by when the light show starts at dusk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I treated myself to the Golden hour experience, a communal dining at Mona’s Wine Bar, which includes a special tour to the James Turrell light installation.  Mona sits within a vineyard, so you can also book wine tastings combined with art tours.    The food created by Chef Vince Trim was divine and great to pair it with the wine from the Moorilla Estate, also owned by David Walsh.   And of course, if you do want to go for the full Mona experience, you can stay at the adjacent Mona Pavilions.  Indulge!