art gallery Archives - Page 5 of 8 - Destination's Journey

20 June 20217 August 2021

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

Spotted-Tail Quol, Eastern Quol (dark) Eastern Quol (light), Tasmanian Devil

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.

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.

Woureddy (left) and Trucannini (right) — Aboriginal Bark Canoe

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.

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.

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 Displays — Art Gallery Paintings

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

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.

24 May 202117 July 2021

Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

Sitting on the waterfront at Circular Quay, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia provides a venue for international and local artists.

Getting There

In walking distance of Circular Quay, public transport is the easiest way to get here. Ferries, buses, trains and light rail all stop here, making it easy and convenient. Several carparks are located nearby if you want to drive.

The Museum

Near the entrance a metallic sculpture provides some great photo opportunities, because its design allowing unique views of the Opera House.

During our visit one gallery was dedicated to David Malangi Daymirringu’s aboriginal artwork. They follow important sites, ceremonies, and stories that encompass ancestral knowledge connected to the artist’s Manharrngu clan of central Arnhem Land. Some of the photos below show his amazing work.

As expected the remaining art on display ranged from weird and unique to strangely interesting. A fun place to walk around, especially if you want to see what current artist are producing.

A cafeteria on the roof gives great views of Sydney Harbour as well as Circular Quay. We sat here for a while enjoying morning tea and watching the ferries going in and out of the Quay.

What Did We Think?

This was an interesting visit. The highlight was the indigenous artwork on display, which looked amazing. It was nice to see that the museum takes great pride in its support of aboriginal and Torres Strait artists. Open everyday except Mondays.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

Our photos are available for purchase on

28 March 20218 May 2021

State Library of New South Wales

State Library of New South Wales

Located at 1 Shakespeare Place in the centre of Sydney, the State Library of New South Wales is the oldest library in Australia. Established in 1826, it moved to the current building in 1910. Designed by Walter Liberty Vernon, the heritage listed building has been expanded over the years as its collection has grown.

Outside the Library

The magnificent library building has several interesting statues on its grounds, which are worth looking for. To the right of the main entrance is a statue of Lieutenant General Sir Richard Bourke. Erected by the people of New South Wales, the statue commemorates Sir Richard Bourke’s governorship and administration. This was the first monument erected in Australia.

Across the road from the entrance, is the Shakespeare Memorial, with figures representing Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Portia and Falstaff on the lower level, with Shakespeare standing above them. Located on a traffic island in the middle of a busy road, you need to be careful if getting close, because there is no pedestrian crossing to it.

Lieutenant General Sir Richard Bourke — State Library of New South Wales Mitchell Building and Façade

Matthew Flinders

A statue of Matthew Flinders, the first person to circumnavigate Australia sits outside the Mitchell Library on Macquarie Street.

Flinders’ Cat

Trim was a ship’s cat who accompanied Matthew Flinders on his voyages to circumnavigate and map the coastline of Australia in 1801–03. It sits on a window ledge of the Mitchell Library on Macquarie Street, directly behind a statue of his owner. The plaque near the statue reads:

TO THE MEMORY OF
TRIM
The best and most illustrious of his race.
The most affectionate of friends,
faithful of servants,
and best of creatures.
He made the tour of the globe, and a voyage to Australia,
which he circumnavigated, and was ever the
delight and pleasure of his fellow voyagers.
Written by Matthew Flinders in memory of his cat.
Memorial donated by the North Shore Historical Society.

Vestibule

The library’s vestibule contains a huge copy of the map of Australia made by Abel Tasman in the 1640’s. The original of this historical document is held in the library’s collection.

Tasman's Map of Australia — Tasman’s Map of Australia

The Library

The main collection and reading room, the Mitchell Library Reading Room is adjacent to the vestibule. Being large and spacious with beautiful stain glass windows makes it an excellent place for quiet study.

Main Hall and Study Room State Library of New South Wales — Mitchell Library Reading Room

State Library of New South Wales Galleries

Located on the upper floors of the gallery are several galleries. These contain an excellent collection of paintings and we spent some time wandering around.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Tag: art gallery

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

Indigenous Culture

Tasmanian Wildlife

Coins at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

Art Gallery

Antarctic Exploration

What Did We Think?

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Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

Getting There

The Museum

What Did We Think?

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