The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is located in Hobart, Tasmania. It is the largest privately funded museum in the Southern Hemisphere and is an offering from David Walsh, a millionaire who wished to give something back to the community where he grew up.
The museum contains all the pieces which have caught Walsh’s eye over the years – 1,900 to be precise. From Stone Age arrowheads and Roman coins to surrealist contemporary art, Walsh has selected an eclectic range of art.
What makes the museum particularly special is its surroundings. The setting surrounding the museum is one of the most beautiful in the world and it has been filled with wonderful art installations. As visitors arrive, they can watch dolphins playing in the surrounding waters, making the experience truly unique.
The atmosphere inside the museum is intentionally ominous. There are no windows and much of the museum is built underground. Walsh intended to pull visitors into a secret world and upon arrival, guests descend down a seemingly endless flight of stairs.
The MONA is frequently voted one of the greatest museums in the world and Lonely Planet place it above New York’s MoMA and London’s Tate Modern. Hobart many not be on many people’s bucket list, but the MOMA should definitely put it on your radar.
