Melbourne Museum new immersive attraction offers visitors a look at prehistoric Victoria

Melbourne Museum’s newest attraction - the Gandel Gondwana Garden – is a new outdoor play-based learning space, which has been designed for children aged between six and 12 and their families.

Named after the supercontinent Gondwana that once connected much of the Southern Hemisphere – including Australia – visitors are set for an immersive journey to learn about prehistoric megafauna alongside ancient plants, creating an educational, exciting and sensory experience.

Giant prehistoric kangaroos and rare dinosaurs that once roamed Victoria feature in the new attraction.

The garden, which has been created in collaboration with members of Museums Victoria’s Yulendj Group of Elders, draws on First People’s knowledge of Country, plants and habitats, and the latest scientific research and the expertise from the Museums Victoria Research Institute.

It explores how the land across the continent has changed over time from rainforests to grasslands and shrublands.

The new garden expands the museum’s offering for children and families, providing a link between the wildly popular Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery and landmark Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs exhibition.

Museums Victoria Chief Executive and Director Lynley Crosswell notes “The Gandel Gondwana Garden provides budding scientists with a unique learning experience, where they can explore and comprehend the underlying principles of the natural ecosystems that make life on Earth possible, deepening their appreciation of nature and our vital role in it.”

The Victorian Government is backing the new attraction, which has also received generous support from leading Victorian philanthropists Mr John Gandel AC and Mrs Pauline Gandel AC.

Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Steve Dimopoulos adds “Museums Victoria always ensures its exhibitions are exciting and also make it easy for children to learn about a wide variety of subjects.

“Combining First Peoples’ knowledge with the latest scientific research, the new Gandel Gondwana Garden delivers a fun-filled and low-cost experience for the whole family.”

Gandel Gondwana Garden opens to the public on Friday, 3rd March, with a program of free guided tours and story-telling activities for all ages on Saturday, 4th March from 10am to 2pm. Entry to the garden is included as part of general Melbourne Museum admission, which is free for children, concession card holders and members.

For more information and tickets visit museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum.