🖤 Hobart, Tasmania
Things to do in MONA
The subterranean, provocative Museum of Old and New Art
MONA — the Museum of Old and New Art — is the audacious, subterranean gallery that put Hobart on the cultural map: ancient antiquities and confronting contemporary work carved three levels deep into a sandstone cliff on the Derwent River. Irreverent, dark and unforgettable, it’s the beating heart of Tasmania’s arts scene and its winter and summer festivals, Dark Mofo and Mona Foma.
Time needed
Half to a full day
Best time
Year-round; June for the gothic midwinter Dark Mofo festival, or summer for Mona Foma and long, mild days
Region
Hobart, Tasmania
Don’t miss
The museum & the camouflage ferry
Half the experience is getting there: MONA’s camo-painted ferry runs from the Hobart waterfront up the Derwent to the gallery, where you descend into the cliff and work your way up. Give it at least half a day, longer with lunch and the gardens.
Check availability on GetYourGuideTop things to do in MONA
- Descending the spiral staircase into the cliff-cut galleries.
- The MONA ROMA ferry up the Derwent from central Hobart.Find tours
- On-site wine, the brewery and restaurants overlooking the river.
- Timing a visit around Dark Mofo (June) or Mona Foma for the island at its most creative.
- Pairing MONA with historic Salamanca and Battery Point back in Hobart.
Book MONA tours & tickets
Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours and the big-ticket experiences — compare and book ahead so they don’t sell out.
See all MONA experiences on GetYourGuideWhere to stay near MONA
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How to get to MONA
MONA is about a 15-minute drive north of central Hobart at Berriedale, but the signature way to arrive is the MONA ferry from the Hobart waterfront (around 30 minutes up the Derwent). Book ferry tickets and entry ahead in peak season.
Hire a car in Tasmania
Compare rental deals — handy for reaching MONA at your own pace
Best time to visit
Year-round; June for the gothic midwinter Dark Mofo festival, or summer for Mona Foma and long, mild days. The gallery is indoors, so it’s a perfect wet-weather day whenever you visit.
MONA tips
- Take the ferry rather than driving — the arrival is part of the experience.
- Upgrade to the ferry’s “Posh Pit” for a drink and a seat if you want the full theatre of it.
- Allow more time than you think; the galleries are deep and easy to lose hours in.
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