Melbourne Museum

By JAMES ANTHONY

Now they know how to do things well in Melbourne - usually - but when it was first revamped the Melbourne Museum was not one of them.

It was too modern for this chap's tastes. There were not enough mummies, wonders of the ancient world, parchment scrolls or historical things of interest. However, many people - including Mrs Anthony - have always enjoyed their visits there.

Early on a trip to the museum was pretty expensive but, to the institution's credit, this has been remedied and now adults can enter for a very reasonable $6 a head.

Melbourne Museum also seems to have filled out a bit - although there's still not enough in the historical vein for mine - with exhibits and displays that are interesting, sometimes interactive and, in the case of the 3D display The Virtual Room, sensational viewing.

The Virtual Room has eight screens in a octagon shape and you can wander around and watch the various displays in 3D and from different angles. There are free-to-use 3D glasses at the door.

There was a super one showing the Mars rover in action and then Australian Polar Dinosaurs, a truly you-are-in-the-Jurassic dinosaur show looking Leaellynasaura, an Allosaur and other prehistoric creatures in a winter forest.

Melbourne Museum is separated into various galleries that focus on broad themes. They are Mind and Body, Science and Life, Evolution, Forest, Te Pasifika, Australia, Bunjilaka, a Children's Museum and a Touring Hall.

Each of these then spread out into sub galleries where different aspects are examined. For example Mind and Body includes BodyScape, Body Parts, Biotech & Beyond and Medical Melbourne.

Evolution has Dinosaurs in Time and Darwin to DNA, while Te Vainui O Pasifika looks at the seafaring folk of the Pacific.

The Aboriginal Centre at Melbourne Museum, Bunjilaka, is divided into two galleries featuring artworks from Aboriginal artists.

The main exhibitions are in Jumbunna, which also includes temporary displays, while Birrirung has art from south-eastern Australia.

Children have their very own learning place with a Children's Museum aimed at those between three and eight years.

One of the highlights of the trip to the Melbourne Museum was viewing the very first computer to operate in Australia - CSIRAC (pictured). It was the size of a large room and had specs that would make a modern-day calculator manufacturer blush.

If you children are into computers then this is a must-see as it will give them an idea of just how far things have progressed since it began work in 1951.

Here are a few stats about CSIRAC. It weighed 7000 kilos, had enough RAM to remember 768 words, took over 30,000 watts to operate and could zap along at a whopping .001Mhz.

Admission Costs
Adults $6.00
Children and Concession Free (Children 3-16 years).

Open Times
Open 10am-5pm daily
Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day

Address
11 Nicholson St, Carlton, Victoria

Telephone
General Enquiries 13 11 02 (within Victoria)
Bookings 1300 130 152
Australia-wide 03 8341 7777
International + 61 3 8341 7777

Melbourne Museum Website