Destination's Journey

Category: Museum

  • Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

    Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

    Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

    Established in 1848 and conveniently located opposite Constitution Dock, in the centre of Hobart, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery is a great place to discover Tasmania’s unique history. Covering natural history, aboriginal and European settlement to Antarctic exploration, there is something here to interest everyone. There is even a dinosaur at the entrance.

    Muttaburrasaurus Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
    Muttaburrasaurus Dinosaur Skeleton

    Indigenous Culture

    Several galleries explore Indigenous Tasmanian Aboriginal culture, from artefacts to artworks. Their treatment and subsequent genocide is treated in detail. Everyone visiting Tasmania should see it, so that they understand this part of history.

    • Canoe
      Aboriginal Bark Canoe
    • Woureddy (left) and Trucannini (right)
      Woureddy (left) and Trucannini (right)
    • Manalagerna (left) and Tanleboueyer (right) Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
      Manalagerna (left) and Tanleboueyer (right)

    Tasmanian Wildlife

    Most people won’t be able to see the unique Australian wildlife, so the display here is a great place to see what they look like. From echidna and platypus, the egg laying monotremes, to quolls and devils, you can see them all.

    Importantly, a display of the Thylacine, the Tasmanian Tiger shows what this now extinct marsupial looked like. The last one died in 1933 in Hobart Zoo, so now all that remains are the skeletons, stuffed displays and photos.

    • Echidna and Platypus
      Echidna and Platypus
    • Spotted-Tail Quol, Eastern Quol (dark) Eastern Quol (light), Tasmanian Devil
      Spotted-Tail Quol, Eastern Quol (dark) Eastern Quol (light), Tasmanian Devil
    • Tasmanian Tiger Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
      Tasmanian Tiger
    • Tasmanian Tiger Skeletons Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
      Male and Female Tasmanian Tiger Skeletons
    • Tasmanian Tiger Photos
      Tasmanian Tiger Photos

    Coins at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

    Containing bank notes and coins from colonial times to decimal currency, this small gallery is a good place to learn about Australian currency. One of the largest collections of Roman coins in the country can also be found here. So, if you are interested in how the currency has changed, it’s worth a visit.

    • Coin Display
      Coin Display
    • Coin Display
      Coin Display
    • Scales
      Scales

    Art Gallery

    The art gallery section of the museum contains an interesting collection of paintings and sculptures covering Tasmanian themes. We found the paintings and sculptures of Tasmanian aborigines the best part, as we had not seen them before.

    • Art Gallery Paintings Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
      Art Gallery Paintings
    • Art Gallery Displays
      Art Gallery Displays

    Antarctic Exploration

    Tasmania’s link to Antarctic exploration is on display with an amazing array of wildlife and explorer exhibits. A model of Mawson’s Hut shows how the explorers lived in the early 1900s. A photo gallery nearby puts a human face to the scientists and explorers, which is great because many museums only show physical displays.

    The wildlife displays give an idea of the abundant wildlife that exists there. We found this interesting, because we probably won’t travel there. The size of the seals and albatross was surprizing, because you don’t get an idea of how big they are from photos.

    • Antarctic Wildlife Display Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
      Antarctic Wildlife Display
    • Albatross
      Albatross
    • Huskies
      Huskies
    • Mawson's Hut
      Mawson’s Hut
    • Antarctic Exploration Photos
      Antarctic Exploration Photos

    What Did We Think?

    For a great insight into Tasmanian history this is a great place to visit, because it covers everything from pre colonial times, to Antarctic exploration and wildlife. Even though we have lived in Tassie, we found it interesting because of the wonderful exhibits and displays. Highly recommended to anyone visiting Hobart.

  • Maritime Museum of Tasmania

    Maritime Museum of Tasmania

    Maritime Museum of Tasmania

    If you have an interest in maritime history, then the Maritime Museum of Tasmania is a great place to spend an hour. Located next to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and opposite Constitution dock it is easy to get to.

    During our visit, the second floor was undergoing renovations, which meant we missed some displays. The remaining area was still interesting as it covered Tasmania’s maritime history.

    One of the more interesting displays was a model of the Tasman Bridge disaster. This occurred on 5 January 1975 when a bulk ore carrier collided with bridge pylons, causing a section of the bridge to collapse. Seven crew and five drivers from four cars were killed when they drove off the bridge and fell 45m to the water below. The model shows the SS Lake Illawarra lying on the river bottom with bridge debris covering her.

    Tasmania’s contribution to Antarctic exploration has been significant, due to its proximity. A model of the exploration ship Nella Dan commemorates these achievements.

    Other displays included interesting figureheads and boats, along with more models ships and photos.

    • Knots Display
    • Main Display Room Ground Floor
      Main Display Room Ground Floor
    • Figure Heads Maritime Museum of Tasmania
      Figure Heads (Zephyr left and Mary Wadley right)
    • Diving Suit
      Diving Suit
    • Tasman Bridge Disaster
      Tasman Bridge Disaster
    • Tasman Bridge Disaster
      Tasman Bridge Disaster
    • Antarctic Exploration Vessel Nella Dan Maritime Museum of Tasmania
      Antarctic Exploration Vessel Nella Dan
  • Port Arthur Historic Site Tasmania

    Port Arthur Historic Site Tasmania

    Port Arthur Historic Site

    The World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site contains over 30 buildings and extensive ruins. The listing reflects its importance to the story of forced migration and settlement of Australia. Primarily a penal settlement, Port Arthur also encompassed a wider community including military and civilian officers and their families. The preserved buildings and ruins tell the story of life in the early years of colonisation.

    How To Get There and Parking

    Located on the Tasman Peninsula, a 90-minute drive from Hobart, Port Arthur is an easy day trip. However, we chose to stay on the peninsula to see other attractions.

    Several carparks at the end of the access road cater for cars and camper vans. During peak times additional room is available once the main ones are full, although there will be a slightly longer walk to the entrance.

    Entry is by ticket only, but this includes a guided tour and boat trip. These are not compulsory, and you are able to walk at your own pace to explore the site if you want.

    During our visit in June 2021 ticket cost was $40 per adult.

    Port Arthur Historic Site

    The Penitentiary

    Originally built as a flour mill in 1845, insufficient water led to its conversion to a penitentiary in 1857. The current state of the building was caused by a bushfire which only left the masonry walls and barred windows.

    Undertaken from 2012 to 2018, a conservation project has stabilised the building, while adding internal flooring and supports. There are Information boards detailing the operation of the building.

    As you can see from the photos, it was a wet and rainy day, which added to the atmosphere of the site and its gloomy past.

    • The Penitentiary Port Arthur Historic Site
      The Penitentiary
    • Inside The Penitentiary Port Arthur Historic Site
      Inside The Penitentiary
    • Inside The Penitentiary
      Inside The Penitentiary
    • Looking Out of The Penitentiary
      Looking Out of The Penitentiary
    • Remains of The Penitentiary Port Arthur Historic Site
      Remains of The Penitentiary

    Guard Tower

    The guard tower gives a great view over the rest of the site, particularly the law courts located next door. Looking like a European castle, the guard tower stands above the penitentiary which gave the guards a great view.

    Guard Tower Port Arthur Historic Site
    Guard Tower

    The Law Courts

    Any convicts breaking the regulations governing the settlement were sentenced at the law courts. The façade is interesting with its windows and arches, despite its damaged interior.

    • Remains of the Low Courts
      Remains of the Law Courts
    • Remains of the Low Courts Port Arthur Historic Site
      Remains of the Law Courts

    The Asylum

    Built for the mental health care of convicts in the early 1860s, this building was later used as the town hall. Today it contains a display of artefacts found on site as well as prisoner uniforms.

    • The Asylum - Later the Town Hall
      The Asylum – Later the Town Hall
    • Prisoner's Uniform on Display Inside The Asylum
      Prisoner’s Uniform on Display Inside The Asylum
    • Display Inside The Asylum
      Display Inside The Asylum

    The Church Port Arthur Historic Site

    With only the walls and tower intact, the church, which was built in 1837 is a reminder of the importance of religion in convict reform. Up to 1100 people would attend services here on Sundays. To allow multi-denominational services, the church was never consecrated.

    • Ruins of the Church
      Ruins of the Church
    • Ruins of the Church
      Inside the Ruins of the Church
    • Ruins of the Church Port Arthur Historic Site
      Ruins of the Church

    What Did We Think?

    We enjoyed our visit here, with the unpredictable Tasmanian weather adding to the atmosphere. Although we did not take the boat tour, our walk through the ruins was great, so don’t be put off by the weather. As one of Australia’s premier European historical sites it’s a must visit for anyone going to Tasmania.

    To read other posts about Tasmania, click here.

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