Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery – TMAG

The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) is one of the best places to go when visiting Tasmania with exceptional collections and wonderful exhibitions. It is housed in some of the oldest buildings in the state and is the second oldest museum in Australia. It has a rare and unique collection with some objects originating from the country’s oldest scientific society, the Royal Society of Tasmania, which was established in 1843.

TMAG, as locals affectionately know it, is a well-loved state museum that visitors of all ages and interests will enjoy. It has extensive collections and displays including natural history, social history, geology, zoology and maritime history. It is also responsible for the development, maintenance and management of the botanical collections of Tasmania through the Tasmanian Herbarium. The museum is also unique in that it houses an extensive collection of Tasmanian colonial and contemporary art as well as a decorative arts, photography and design.

Our land: parrawa, parrawa! Go away! is a permanent exhibition on level 2 of the Bond Store Galleries and is a powerful and immersive journey telling the story of the Aboriginal people and the colonists following the invasion of lutruwita, now called Tasmania, focusing on the Black War. During your visit, be sure to visit the newly-refreshed ningina tunapri Tasmanian Aboriginal gallery which explores the journey of Tasmanian Aboriginal people and is a celebration of all Tasmanian Aboriginal generations.

The museum also invites you to journey south from Hobart across the oceans to the frozen continent of Antarctica through its Islands to Ice permanent exhibition. It explores The Power of Change and the social and political changes in twentieth century Tasmanian life that influenced national and international conversations. Moreover, you can gain a better perspective on the history of The Thylacine: Skinned, Stuffed, Pickled and Persecuted and be reminded how easily a species like the Tasmanian Tiger can be lost.

Families are at the heart of the museum with visitor experiences and exhibitions created to offer inspiration to children and adults. There are a range of hands-on programs and resources to allow families to explore the museum and art galleries at their own pace and in a way that best suits their group. Best of all, the museum is free to all so you can visit as many times as you like.

TMAG also has a fully licensed Courtyard Cafe for refreshment and recuperation and an award-winning Museum Shop offering a range of books, gifts and artisan objects, which highlight the museum’s collections and heritage.

Click on the ‘What’s on’ tab above to find out more about exhibitions and events currently on at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.