Whether you're planning a long weekend or an extended holiday, this ultimate guide to Hobart will help you make the most of your visit to Australia's southernmost capital.
Tasmania
Where is MONA and when does it open?
The ultimate guide to MONA in Hobart
The Museum of Old + New Art (MONA) has quickly become one of the most famous attractions in Tasmania’s capital. Here’s everything to know for the ultimate day out at MONA in Hobart.
Few Australian galleries are on as many traveller’s bucket lists as MONA. Conceptual, controversial, captivating, and sometimes cheeky, this arts complex in Hobart features works and experiences that are truly memorable.
Ellen Wignell, Curator of Visual Arts at RACV, says that rather than just a gallery, “going to MONA is a journey. You enter a cavernous space that is a whole other world, where art, food, and architecture collide.”
Following a major $100 million expansion, MONA opened its new Elektra wing in June 2026. The subterranean expansion includes a multi-level concrete amphitheatre and a sprawling underground library housing 50,000 rare books and artworks.
RACV Members save on Tasmanian holiday packages and stays at RACV Hobart Hotel.
Everything you need to know about MONA
What is MONA?
The Museum of Old + New Art is an art, hospitality, and entertainment complex located in Hobart, Tasmania, within the Moorilla winery region.
The gallery is home to both historical, (or ‘old’), art such as Egyptian works and Australian paintings, as well as contemporary or ‘new’ works such as neon electronics, modern sculpture, and interactive experiences.
As the biggest privately funded museum in the Southern Hemisphere, MONA hosts nearly 2,000 works over three levels, and is famed for its somewhat mischievous and liberal themes across all facets of the complex.
Architecturally, MONA was designed to make visitors feel like that are entering a different world. There's no set path or order for exploring the museum's rooms and displays.
“The way MONA was designed is really different from other museums, and really marked a change worldwide in how artwork and museum pieces can be presented,” says Wignell.
On site, MONA also hosts a range of eateries, bars, live music and entertainment, accommodation, a recording studio, library, tennis court, and outdoor lounge area.
The venue is also home to a range of events and festivals, including Dark MOFO, MONA FOMA, Music at MONA, and rotating music, comedy and public art performances.
Museum internal staircase (detail). Image: Mona/Rémi Chauvin courtesy of Mona, Hobart, Tasmania
Where is MONA and when does it open?
Located 11km north of Hobart’s CBD, MONA can be accessed by ferry, car, bus or bike.
Just 10 minutes’ walk from the RACV Hobart Hotel, the unmissable MONA ferry is an experience in itself, leaving from Hobart’s Brooke Street Pier and taking around 25 minutes one way. Bookings are advised.
On road, visitors can look to hire a car (with RACV Members saving on car hire), or bring their own vehicle if travelling from Victoria on the Spirit of Tasmania.
MONA is open from Friday to Monday, 10am to 5pm. Over certain periods in the summer and autumn months, MONA is also open on Thursdays.
How do I get tickets to MONA?
Tickets to MONA are required, and can be purchased online or onsite, although please note that MONA is a cashless venue.
It is free to visit the outdoor grounds at MONA.
Alternatively, visitors can head on an in-depth tour around Hobart, which includes MONA entry.
The MONA ferry is almost as much fun as the museum itself. Image: MONA & Jesse Hunniford
What attractions are there at MONA?
Like many museums and galleries, MONA has both long-running installations and rotating exhibitions.
Ongoing attractions include Siloam, an underground tunnel network leading to the Pharos wing, where visitors encounter works including Oliver Beer’s Mona Confessional, Ai Weiwei’s White House and Alfredo Jaar’s ticketed The Divine Comedy.
MONA’s collection displays continue to evolve, with major works, immersive installations and temporary exhibitions changing over time.
Can I book in any experiences at MONA?
Visitors can book MONA experiences, from the ferry ride up the River Derwent to premium packages that combine museum entry with dining, wine tastings and access to selected installations.
Options may include Moorilla winery tastings, long-lunch experiences and the indulgent Mona Like a Rockstar package. Check MONA’s website for current availability before you go.
Will I enjoy MONA if I’m not into art?
There’s something for both art lovers and visitors who do not usually gravitate towards galleries and museums at MONA.
Beyond the art itself, visitors can enjoy the architecture, ferry journey, riverside setting, dining, live music, winery experiences and the museum’s distinctive app, The O, which offers commentary as you move through the complex.
How do I find my way around at MONA?
Rather than handing out flyers, maps, or providing physical descriptions of the work, MONA leans towards the ‘M’ in its name for its guides, with the museum’s map, artwork list, descriptions and exhibit bookings all curated within their modern and cheeky app, The O.
Visitors can simply download The O to their smartphone. It can be used to find their way to works they want to see; rate artworks they’ve seen; listen to artist interviews (bringing headphones is recommended), read further reviews and anecdotes; and look at nearby works. The O features a built in GPS, so can refer to the artwork you are looking at intuitively.
The Siloam tunnel takes you from the museum's underground galleries to the airy Pharos wing. Image: MONA & Jesse Hunniford
How long do I need to spend at MONA?
It is suggested that visitors leave at least three to four hours to explore the entire museum, although the best bet is to make a day of it.
“MONA is a place you can spend the whole day,” says Wignell.
“Experience the many different galleries, have a long lunch, and enjoy a drink and even spend time on the lawns enjoying the view.”
What ages are suitable for MONA?
MONA is not designed specifically for children and some works may contain adult themes, confronting imagery or restricted access.
A small number of experiences, including some James Turrell works, may be ticketed separately and/or restricted to visitors aged 18 and over.
Families should check MONA’s current exhibition and ticketing information before visiting.
Is MONA accessibility-friendly?
MONA has mostly accessible admission including lifts, accessible toilets, and parent rooms, with some limitations. For specific enquiries, visitors can contact MONA directly.
Can I take photos and video inside MONA?
It is fine to take private photos and videos inside MONA, as long as no flash photography or tripods are used.
MONA is beautiful inside and out. Image: MONA & Jesse Hunniford
Can I buy food and drink at MONA?
MONA has a range of food and drink options on site, from casual bars and wine tastings to bookable restaurant experiences.
Visitors can stop at Void Bar for drinks and pizza, taste Moorilla wines at the cellar door, or book a meal at Faro Bar + Restaurant or The Source Restaurant.
Food and drink options, opening hours and booking requirements can change, so check MONA’s current listings before visiting.
The RACV Hobart Hotel is a short walk from where the MONA ferry departs. Image: Supplied
What accommodation is available near MONA?
Hobart has accommodation options to suit different budgets and travel styles, from central city hotels and self-contained apartments to boutique heritage stays around Battery Point and the waterfront, luxury lodges, and guesthouses or B&Bs in quieter neighbourhoods.
RACV Hobart Hotel is within walking distance of the MONA ferry's departure point, the famous Salamanca Market, and famed local pubs and restaurants.
The contemporary hotel features deluxe apartments with views of the Derwent river, as well as onsite dining options, from buffet breakfast to drinks in the historical onsite Cascade on Collins bar.
What else is there to do around Hobart and Tasmania?
While MONA is certainly a must-do activity, there is so much to do around Hobart and Tasmania.
From food and wine experiences to a West Coast road trip or a visit to one of Australia’s oldest cities, Tasmania provide a wealth of experiences for visitors to discover and enjoy time and time again.
