THE DROP BEAR DIARIES - CHAPTER 2 "MONA"

Off the ferry, a quick breakfast stop and a pleasant drive to Tasmania's capital of Hobart, it was time for some culture at The Museum of Old and New Art, better known as MONA. Julie and I were somewhat disappointed when our driver, obviously influenced by Karen, was not prepared to let us explore the nearby Cadburys factory.  Our complaints ebbed away when bribes of chocolate in purple wrappers appeared in the car at the first gas station stop.

The Museum of Old and New Art is a bit of a revelation.  We’d heard about Hobart resident David Walsh’s philosophy and the way in which he has chosen to spend his vast wealth on this iconic establishment.  The exhibits are eclectic, almost 70 per cent of the collection is temporary and visitors can be sure of a new cultural assault each time they visit.

MONA's dramatic sandstone and steel entrance

Love it or hate it, you can’t help but be swept up by the MONA experience. 

The building itself is impressive, its construction a contradiction of sorts. Greeted by a single storey exterior of concrete and what appear to be rusting walls, we climbed a steep series of sandstone lined steps to the entrance which is backstopped by a hall of mirrors providing a whimsical greeting as one gazes back at one’s own distorted self. 

Reflections in the "Hall of Mirrors"

MONA's interior space is an exhibit of its own - three subterranean storeys give one the feeling of entering an ancient tomb in the Valley of the Kings.

Confronted by this vast area hewn from the sandstone it is perfect exhibition space.  We were impressed - and that was just the building!

The exhibits - well its best not to over-analyse.  We had been warned that we might be shocked, appalled and amazed.  Certainly there is much that is thought provoking but quite honestly it’s a bit of a test and not to be taken too seriously.  

Best to relax and open the mind and who knows what we’d take away with us.

VIPs only in MONA ROMA's "Posh Pit"

MONA ROMA - Cruising the Derwent

Mr. Walsh is somewhat of a maverick - you only have to travel up the River Derwent on his MONA ROMA with its brightly painted cows and sheep stoically grazing the upper decks of the Catamaran to appreciate that he relishes living “outside the box”.  

The ride from the Brook Street Ferry Terminal in Hobart takes half an hour to reach MONA.



If you have bought into the “Posh Pit” which Roger had thoughtfully arranged, guests enjoy pleasant table service of drinks and snacks in comfortable seating.

The journey was far too short.

One only wonders how MONA would be received if it had been located on the banks of the Hudson or the Thames rather than the Derwent.  Broader access for sure, but perhaps part of the overall experience requires one to take the time to get to Hobart, deep in the Southern Hemisphere. After all, anyone can go to the Met or the Guggenheim.

Day one was coming to a close and fortunately there had been no Drop Bear sightings.  We suspect they had lain in wait for us at Cadburys. Obviously this was going to be a game of wits.