🇦🇺Melbourne Museum "First Peoples" – A place to discover the stories of Indigenous Australians
🇦🇺 Melbourne Museum "First Peoples" – A Place to Experience the Stories of Indigenous Australia
The "First Peoples" Gallery is a culturally significant area of the Melbourne Museum. Here, the history, culture, and modern-day journey of Australia's indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are explored through a wealth of exhibits and videos.
Exhibition Highlights
• Bunjil Theatre: An immersive theater experience where you can experience the story of Bunjil, the creator god, through video and music.
• Traditional Arts and Crafts: Regional diversity is evident through displays of boomerangs, didgeridoos, textiles, and ornaments.
• Reenacting Oral Culture: Hear directly from the voices of those involved through video interviews and audio guides.
• Integration with Contemporary Art: Many contemporary works by Indigenous artists are featured, bridging the gap between history and the present.
The Viewing Experience
Entering the gallery, you're immediately greeted by a deep sense of serenity and warm light. Time seems to pass slowly, enveloped in hues of red and orange, symbolizing the earth and nature. When I saw the story of the Creator God at the Bunjil Theater, I felt immersed, as if I were a part of the story.
Furthermore, many of the exhibits were supervised by the people involved, and the explanatory texts were not one-sided but rather encouraged empathy, which was impressive.
Visitor Advice
• Time Required: We recommend allocating at least 45 minutes to an hour.
• Photography: While photography is permitted in some areas, be aware that some works have no-photography signs.
• English Support: While the videos and panels are in English, there are many visuals and actual exhibits that make it easy to understand.
Basic Information
• Address: 11 Nicholson St, Carlton, VIC
• Opening Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Open daily, closed on Christmas Day)
• Admission Fee: 15 AUD for adults, free for children (as of August 2025)
• Official Website: Melbourne Museum – First Peoples
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Detailed Guide to the Cafes at the Expansive Melbourne Museum
1. Star Wars Galactic Café
• Location: Next to the LEGO® Star Wars exhibit, next to the escalator on the basement floor
• Opening Hours: Daily 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM (last reservations at 3:00 PM)
• Features: A pop-up cafe in collaboration with Disney UK and Lucasfilm.
• Menu includes the vegan "Sorgan Burger," Naboo-style Vietnamese pho, and chicken cutlet.
• Desserts include the "Death Star by Chocolate" (chocolate parfait) and Chewy's gingerbread, all with a sci-fi vibe.
• Reservations & Discounts: Advance reservations recommended (maximum of 8 people). Member discounts available on select days in August 2025.
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2. Mercury Restaurant
• Location: 1st floor, overlooking the Royal Exhibition Building.
• Opening Hours: Weekdays 11:30 – 14:00, Weekends 11:00 – 14:30.
• Features: Casual dining featuring modern Australian cuisine. Main course + coffee or set menus are available, allowing you to relax and enjoy the view. (Prices: Approximately $30-$43)
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3. Museum Market Cafe
• Location: 1st Floor
• Hours: Weekdays 9:00 – 16:00, Weekends 9:00 – 16:30
• Features: A casual cafe offering light meals like sandwiches, salads, and sweets, with takeout options.
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4. Museum Station Cafe
• Location: Inside the Children's Gallery
• Hours: Weekdays 9:00 – 16:00, Weekends 9:00 – 16:30
• Features: Family-friendly menu, barista-made coffee, and healthy snacks.
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While touring the museums, I stopped off at Mercury Restaurant, an open-air restaurant overlooking the Royal Exhibition Building. For a light lunch, I chose the "Salmon and Dill Fishcakes," which, with fragrant fennel, soft eggs, and skin-on potatoes, perfectly satisfied my tired body and mind.
Also, if you're with kids, you can enjoy a mini burger and cappuccino at the Museum Station Cafe while chatting away the afterglow of the gallery.
And...Star Wars fans can't miss the Star Wars Galactic Café. Grabbing a "Blue Milk" and a "Death Star by Chocolate" parfait in front of the exhibit, you'll feel like you've been transported to a scene from the movie.
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