Summer just got bigger at Melbourne Museum!

22 November 2019

This summer at Melbourne Museum, big gets small and small gets big! From a giant wasp to a miniature Colosseum, find out why humans are fascinated with replicating real things when the doors open to the hugely imaginative and unapologetically strange world of Mini Mega Model Museum on Saturday, December 7.

Delightfully quirky and irreverent, Mini Mega Model Museum - a model of a museum that is a museum about models - is built for curious kids big and small to engage with the familiar, exotic and offbeat. Showcasing a miscellany of models and miniatures that have been a part of Museum's Victoria's State Collection since its founding in 1854, Mini Mega Model Museum invites visitors to slow down, zoom in and look a little closer at the world around them.

With more than 300 objects on display, gander through the undersized, life-sized and oversized galleries and investigate incredible model specimens in the Zoomological Laboratory, drool over the deliciously real looking wax delicacies in the life-sized cafeteria and peek at the marvellous rooms of Pendle Hall - a fully furnished mini-mansion so intricate it took over 40 years to make!

According to experience developer Zoe Meagher, the reasons for model-making are as diverse as the models themselves - but they all share a connection to scale and detail.

‘We were curious about how shrinking, enlarging or replicating something through model-making can help you notice details and appreciate the real thing in a new way, or even transform your own feeling of scale. It’s something we’re playing with in the experience itself, and we hope visitors will love looking closely at these models and spotting their special secrets.’

Families seeking fun ways to busy little hands and spark big imaginations this summer holidays have a huge range of activities to choose from at Melbourne Museum. Kids can get crafty learning the art of model making in the Mini Mega Makers Workshop where they will sketch, paint and cast their very own mini mega models to add to the mini mega showcase.

Those looking to upsize their day at the museum can wander amongst the giants in the larger than life Dinosaur Walk, introduce little learners to big ideas at the toddler-only Play Box program, catch a summer blockbuster on the world's biggest of big screens at IMAX and so much more!

Mini Mega Model Museum opens December 7 with the Mini Mega Makers Workshop opening December 27 at Melbourne Museum.

Summer just got bigger!

Mini Mega Model Museum
Launches Saturday 7 December
Melbourne Gallery, Melbourne Museum
10am–5pm daily
Tickets: Included with museum entry $0–$15

Mini Mega Makers Workshop
A two-hour model-making workshop for children aged 6-12 years old with each session including a tour of Mini Mega Model Museum.
Morning session: 10am–1pm
Afternoon session: 1.30pm–4pm
Tickets: Member Child $20, non-member child $25

Create a Car
Create a car, direct an advertisement and win a prize! TAC's Road to Zero summer school holiday program is bringing to life the theme of vehicle safety. Children aged 8-13 years can create their own ads about car safety using the touch table technology- and submit their ads into a weekly competition to win a prize pack valued at $200. Children aged 5 -13 years can also join in the fun of Create a Car. Colour in and construct a 3D cardboard car and learn about key vehicle safety features in an exciting and interactive way.

Road to Zero Learning Studios foyer, 11am–3pm on the following dates:
Tuesday 7 January – Saturday 11 January
Tuesday 14 January – Saturday 18 January
Tuesday 21 January – Saturday 25 January
Tickets: Free of charge

Dinosaur Walk
Take a walk through the larger than life prehistoric gallery. Enter a parade of dinosaurs and explore the ultimate test of size and scale.
Science and Life Gallery
10am–5pm daily
Tickets: Included with museum entry $0–$15

Play Box, presented by Biostime
Bright minds start early, so we’re helping little ones wake up to play by opening the museum one hour early, Tuesdays to Saturdays. Suitable for ages 1 -3, with guardian supervision. Proudly presented by Biostime.
9am–10am, Tuesday to Saturday
Tickets: Adults $15, Child/Concession/Member free

IMAX Melbourne
IMAX Melbourne is home to the world’s largest screen and provides Australia’s most immersive cinema experience! Open every day of the year except Christmas from 9.45 am until late.
Cinema located at Melbourne Museum
Tickets and session times

New! Museum Store now open online
Shop our handpicked favourites of unique and contemporary products, including designer pieces from the highly acclaimed Tiff Manuel, Minna Gilligan, Mazdevallia and Haus of Dizzy. As well as a range of products and rare prints exclusive to Museums Victoria.
Visit store.museumsvictoria.com.au
 

For media enquiries please contact: