Melbourne Museum
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Major highlights include the Melbourne Story Exhibition, Phar Lap (a legendary race horse), the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, a living rainforest, and a large IMAX Theatre. Additional facilities are a shop, a free public research center and a café.
History
The history of Melbourne Museum begins in 1854 with the opening of some displays in the Government Assay Office on La Trobe Street. Four years later, in 1858, the first Director of the National Museum was appointed. The original location of the museum was in the same city block as the State Library of Victoria and the old state gallery. Now, the library takes up all that space; the museum has moved to its current location in Carlton Gardens and the gallery has moved to the National Gallery of Victoria site on St. Kilda Road.Most of Melbourne’s museums were further developed during the rule of Premier Sir Rupert Hamer between 1972 and 1981. In this period, comprehensive museum policies were worked out, new exhibition building constructed and new institutions established. The Melbourne Museum is now managed by Museum Victoria, which also manages the Scienceworks Museum and the Immigration Museum. The new Melbourne Museum in Carlton Gardens was built in the 1990s and officially opened in 2000.
Collections
As the largest museum south of the equator, it comes as no surprise that there is a lot to see and do in this museum. There are always temporary exhibitions going on, ranging from skeletons and ancient cultures to world wars and the history of sciences. However, the main permanent exhibitions are what most people come for.Science and Life Gallery
This is the largest gallery in the museum, covering everything from tectonic plates and volcanoes to stuffed animals and dinosaur skeletons. Dinosaurs that can be seen here are Tarbosaurus, Mamenchisaurus, Pteranodon and Gallimimus. Major exhibitions are Wild: Amazing Animals in a Changing World, the Dinosaur Walk, Marine Life: Exploring our Seas and Bugs Alive!Melbourne Gallery
The Melbourne Gallery tells the story of Melbourne’s fascinating history. It features more than 1,200 object that have something to do with Melbourne, from the costume of AC/DC’s Angus Young to the legendary racehorse Phar Lap.Mind and Body Gallery
The Mind and Body Gallery explores the world of the human body and mind. It focuses on the effects of drugs and medicine, but also has displays on the digestive system, nervous system, respiratory system and so on.
Evolution Gallery
This fascinating gallery showcases the mechanisms and processes of evolution. There is information on DNA, genetics, but also on Charles Darwin and Alfred Russell Wallace.Forest Gallery
One of the highlights of the museum, the Forest Gallery is a living Victorian rainforest, including live reptiles, birds and other animals.Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre
The Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre is another major highlight, focusing on the history, culture, survival and achievements of the indigenous people of VictoriaChildren’s Gallery
This gallery is aimed at children between 3 and 8 years old and allows them to explore the wonderful world of science and nature.Visiting Melbourne Museum
The museum is open every day of the year from 10am to 5pm, with the exceptions of Christmas Day and Good Friday. Facilities include a café, a museum shop, access for disabled visitors, a car park and bicycle rack, toilets and a visitor information center.Tickets to only the museum cost $ 12 USD for adults and are free for children younger than 16 and concession. Combined tickets to the museum and the IMAX Theatre are $ 25 USD for adults, $ 16 USD concession, $ 14 USD for children younger than 16, and $ 70 USD for families consisting of two adults and two children. Separate tickets to the IMAX Theatre can be purchased as well.
How to Get There
Melbourne Museum is located between Nicholson Street and Rathdowne Street in the north of the Melbourne CBD in Carlton Gardens. It can easily be reached on foot, but also by public transport. Tram 86 and 96 north from Bourke Street stop at the corner of Nicholson Street and Gertrude Street, while the City Circle Tram stops on Victoria Street, from where the museum is reached through the gardens. The nearest train station is Parliament Station; signs point to the gardens and museum.Similar and Nearby Landmarks
Major landmarks within (easy) walking distance include Old Melbourne Gaol, the State Library of Victoria, the Royal Exhibition Building, Flinders Street Railway Station, Federation Square, Melbourne Cricket Ground, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Eureka Tower and Arts Centre Melbourne.Other major natural history museums in the world are the National Museum of Natural History, the Natural History Museum, the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, the National Museum of Ireland and many, many more.
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Author: bramreusen. Last updated: Mar 02, 2015
Pictures of Melbourne Museum
