Mona (sans Lisa) makes you smile!

Hobart's Mona is not where you would find the Mona Lisa, despite it being the Museum of Old and New Art. But you will find Sidney Nolan and you will find Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets. 

You will also find a weird psychedelic giant model of your brain. You'll find a digital waterfall, a slightly smelly working model of the human alimentary system, and a library where the books have no print. In fact, all sorts of things to make you smile as well as some that make you think. 

It's been described as a "subversive Disneyland at the end of the world" by The Art Newspaper. 

The museum's creator and owner, David Walsh, is an interesting character. He's a mathematician and professional gambler. It was through this trade, skilfully pursued, that he raised the money for his eccentric and philanthropic gift to Tasmania and the whole counrty. It's quite ironic that the state that gave us anti-gambling machine activist and MP, Andrew Wilkie (and we're very admiring of his efforts), also gave us Mona.

We got there on the Mona Roma ferry, where you can sit on a sheep's back for extra comfort. It's $20 for the ferry and museum entry is free for Tasmanians, but $20 for others. Well worth it though.

F & N