Experience Fantastic Beasts™: The Wonder of Nature at Melbourne Museum From Tomorrow
Discover how nature inspired the imaginary creatures of the Wizarding World
Created by the Natural History Museum in London with Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment, acclaimed exhibition Fantastic Beasts™: The Wonder of Nature opens at Melbourne Museum tomorrow.
Combining science, nature and fantasy, this extraordinary exhibition demonstrates how the natural world has ignited myths, legends and incredible stories for generations, inspiring a new-found sense of admiration for the diversity of life on Earth. Study the connection between animals that roam our planet and their fictional counterparts: the magical creatures from the fan-favourite film series Fantastic Beasts and Harry Potter, and celebrate the real-world scientists who help us understand our planet’s extraordinary creatures so we can protect them for the future.
'We are delighted to be collaborating with London’s Natural History Museum once again to present Fantastic Beasts™: The Wonder of Nature at Melbourne Museum,' said Lynley Crosswell, CEO and Director at Museums Victoria.
'This exhibition is sure to invoke a sense of wonder and awe, as visitors will see science and fiction collide in this one-of-a-kind experience of the fantastic beasts and the precious wilderness around us. We hope this exhibition will inspire the inner environmentalist in everyone.'
Diverse specimens and artefacts from the world-leading scientific collections of London’s prestigious Natural History Museum will be on display alongside custom-made models from the Wizarding World, original artworks from Bloomsbury Publishing, and props from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts film series.
This exhibition has been developed to shine a light on beasts, both real and mythical, in all their fantastic forms. Upon entering, visitors will be guided through an enchanting museum gallery to discover how real animals may have inspired tales of mythical creatures, such as dragons, merpeople and unicorns. Leaving this enchanted world behind, visitors will pass through a hut reminiscent of scientific field stations and enter the wilderness to discover the incredible behaviours both real and enchanted animals share. And finally encountering some of the many animals facing similar threats to the magical creatures in the wizarding world. Throughout the exhibition, hear from real-world scientists and conservationists who are working to protect some of our planet's most vulnerable creatures.
Doug Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum in London said: 'We are delighted to see our enthralling Fantastic Beasts™: The Wonder of Nature exhibition reaching audiences on the other side of the world, in Australia. Visitors of all ages will undoubtedly enjoy exploring the fascinating links between animals of the natural world, mythical creatures, and the magical beasts from the wizarding world. I hope everyone will leave this spellbinding experience with a revived love of the wonders of nature, and a fierce determination to help protect it.
'Fantastic Beasts™: The Wonder of Nature takes much-loved mythical worlds and creatures from books and films into the museum to help us learn about the environment, science and conservation.'
'Exploring why the story of the natural world is the best and precious tale of all, this exhibition is another example of how Museums Victoria is bringing science to life in fun and creative ways,' said Steve Dimopolous, Minister for Creative Industries.
Fantastic Beasts™: The Wonder of Nature opens at Melbourne Museum from Friday 19 May 2023. For more information and to book tickets to book tickets to Fantastic Beasts™: The Wonder of Nature click here.
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About Melbourne Museum
Melbourne Museum pairs world-leading research with dynamic exhibitions and education programs. It offers unparalleled insight into Victoria’s history, culture, and natural environment from a range of perspectives and operates to the belief that the modern museum has a responsibility to make sense of the past and create a thriving future. Melbourne Museum’s commitment to climate action is shaped by the understanding that museums play a critical role in protecting the biodiversity of our living land, through research, conservation, and education. Located in Carlton Gardens, the iconic landmark houses spaces such as Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, the Forest Gallery, the Science and Life Gallery, the Melbourne Gallery, the Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery, Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs and Gandel Gondwana Garden.
Museums Victoria is the largest public museum organisation in the southern hemisphere and is the umbrella organisation for Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks, Immigration Museum and IMAX Melbourne, as well as the UNESCO World Heritage- listed Royal Exhibition Building. Attracting more than two million visitors across all its venues, Museums Victoria is one of the most popular tourism attractions in Victoria and is custodian to more than 15 million objects and specimens.
About the Natural History Museum, London
The Natural History Museum is both a world-leading science research centre and the most-visited indoor attraction in the UK last year. With a vision of a future in which both people and the planet thrive, it is uniquely positioned to be a powerful champion for balancing humanity’s needs with those of the natural world.
It is custodian of one of the world’s most important scientific collections comprising over 80 million specimens accessed by researchers from all over the world both in person and via over 30 billion digital data downloads to date. The Museum’s 350 scientists are finding solutions to the planetary emergency from biodiversity loss through to the sustainable extraction of natural resources.
The Museum uses its global reach and influence to meet its mission to create advocates for the planet - to inform, inspire and empower everyone to make a difference for nature. We welcome millions of visitors through our doors each year, our website has had 17 million visits in the last year and our touring exhibitions have been seen by around 20 million people in the last 10 years.
About Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment (WBDGTE):
Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment (WBDGTE), part of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Brands and Experiences, is a worldwide leader in the creation, development, and licensing of location-based entertainment, live events, exhibits, and theme park experiences based on the biggest franchises, stories and characters from Warner Bros.’ film, television, animation, and games studios, HBO, Discovery, DC, Cartoon Network and more. WBDGTE is home to the groundbreaking locations of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal theme parks around the world, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, The WB Abu Dhabi, The FRIENDS Experience, The Game of Thrones Studio Tour, and countless other experiences inspired by the Wizarding World, DC, Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, Game of Thrones, FRIENDS and more. With best-in-class partners, WBDGTE allows fans around the world to physically immerse themselves inside their favorite brands and franchises.
About Wizarding World:
In the years since Harry Potter was whisked from King’s Cross Station onto Platform nine and three quarters, his incredible adventures have left a unique and lasting mark on popular culture. Eight blockbuster Harry Potter films based on the original stories by J.K. Rowling have brought the magical stories to life and today, the Wizarding World is recognized as one of the world’s best-loved brands.
Representing a vast interconnected universe, it also includes three epic Fantastic Beasts films, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – the multi-award-winning stage-play, state-of-the-art video and mobile games from Portkey Games, innovative consumer products, thrilling live entertainment (including four theme park lands), insightful exhibitions, as well as a forthcoming Harry Potter TV series.
This expanding portfolio of Warner Bros. owned Wizarding World tours and retail also includes the flagship Harry Potter New York, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo, and the Platform 9 3⁄4 retail shops.
The Wizarding World continues to evolve to provide Harry Potter fans with fresh and exciting ways to engage. For the worldwide fan community, and for generations to come, it welcomes everyone in to explore and discover the magic for themselves.
WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s23).