Nocturnal: Force of Nature | Museum After Dark

First Peoples

6 to 8pm | Bunjilaka, Ground Level | Exhibition
Through the voices and languages of the south-eastern First Peoples community, the First Peoples exhibition celebrates the cultures of First Peoples with its rich traditions of performance, storytelling, artwork, and knowledge sharing, set against the history of survival throughout the ongoing impacts of colonisation.

Stronger Families, Stronger Communities

6 to 8pm | Bunjilaka, Ground Level | Exhibition
Elevating the voices of nine First Nations men wo have taken part in the Dardi Munwurro’s healing and leadership programs, this show explores the themes of strength, healing, resilience and cultural pride of the individuals working to break cycles of trauma and build stronger communities.

Melbourne Story

6 to 9pm | Melbourne Story, Upper Level | Exhibition
Melbourne Story is packed with icons of the city's past and present – tales of heroes and scoundrels, growth and decline, and the changing ways Melburnians live, work and play.

Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs

6 to 9pm | Science & Life Gallery, Ground Level | Exhibition
An immersive voyage into a lost world to explore the landscapes of the Cretaceous and get to know the creatures that thrived there.

Science & Life Gallery

6 to 9pm | Science & Life Gallery, Ground Level | Exhibition
Walk past the skeletons of 17 prehistoric animals through Dinosaur Walk, discover the origin of life in Victoria told through fossils, models, animatronics and animations, and see a world of insects, spiders, snails and other invertebrates in Bugs Alive!

Learn something new with short talks and tours led by our museum experts. Full program coming soon.

First Peoples Exhibition Introduction

6:30pm | Bunjilaka, Ground Level | Expert Talk

Learn about Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre and the First Peoples exhibition with Jess Alderton, First Peoples Senior Programs Officer at Museums Victoria.

What’s in a Name?

6:45pm |Foyer Stage, Ground Level | Expert Talk

Crack the code of reptile classification with Jane Melville, Museums Victoria Senior Curator, Terrestrial Vertebrates (Herpetology). Discover how reptiles are grouped, why names matter, and what evolutionary branches reveal about our world today.

Triceratops Tour

7pm & 8:30pm | Triceratops, Ground Level | Tour

Embark on an insider's journey through Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs and uncover the secrets behind one of the most complete triceratops fossils ever found. Presented by Sydney Shuherk, Visitor Engagement Team Leader at Museums Victoria.

Snake Charmer, Rule Breaker

7:15pm & 8pm | Melbourne Story, Upper Level | Expert Talk

Hear about the human force of nature that was Bernice Kopple, a woman who through the 1950s to 1970s defied gender classifications, and tore through social barriers like a cyclone. From snake charming, to Tivoli burlesque, animal handling, bikini modelling and outback jillarooing, Bernie lived a life as indefinable as nature itself. Presented through photos and real objects from the collection by Dr Moya McFadzean, Senior Curator of Migration & Cultural Diversity at Museums Victoria.

Cold as Ice

7:30pm | Foyer Stage, Ground Level | Expert Talk

Antarctica is pretty cool. Literally. Explore its extreme environment and frosty challenges and discover how life survives and thrives in such a frozen landscape. Chill with Dr. Catriona Nguyen-Robertson, Learning Facilitator at Scienceworks and an Antarctic Ambassador, while learning how nature adapts to one of the toughest places on the planet.

Moira Finucane with Rachel Lewindon in Conversation with Catriona Nguyen-Robertson

8.45pm | Foyer, Ground Level | Conversation

Inaugural Museums Victoria Creative Fellow and legend of Unrealistic Art Moira Finucane debuts new original work this September at Nocturnal: Forces of Nature.

Dedicated and inspired by the once thought to be extinct Lord Howe Island Stick Insect, this new piece will be performed with carefully created visuals and audio accompanied with music composed by Pianist Rachel Lewindon.

Moira Finucane’s provocative and highly awarded works across burlesque, variety, drama, and immersive spectacle have been presented worldwide from Antarctica to China.

Unplug and play with fun activities for adults, music and more. Full program coming soon.

RAH

6 to 9pm | Foyer, Ground Level | Music
Constantly digging for fresh sounds old and new, Singaporean born, Naarm based DJ Rah’s sets traverse worldwide sounds, blending Jazz, Hip-Hop, Funk, Soul, Bass, Afro, Brazilian, Asian rare grooves, and everything in between.

Mini Masterpieces

6 to 9pm | Main Foyer | Art Drop-in
Crease, fold and create origami animals to take home or add to a growing tree of life.

Secret Library

6 to 8pm | Between 600 Million years and Bugs Alive, Ground Level | Rare Books
Meet our experts and immerse yourself in the beauty of the natural world as it is depicted in unique natural history books from Museums Victoria’s Rare Book Collection.

Menu

vgn=Vegan   v=Vegetarian   gf=Gluten Free

Hot Food

Chicken katsu burger, tonkatsu sauce, spicy slaw $16.50
Cheeseburger, angus beef patty, bread & butter pickles, seeded bun $16.50
Vada pav sliders, spiced potato fritters, tamarind, coriander chutney (2) vgn $16.50
Nachos, pico de gallo, guacamole, jalapeno, cheese sauce v, gf $16.50

Grab & Go 

Tyrells Crinkly Chips – Sea Salted / Cheddar / Salt & Vinegar $6
Maltesers $7
Popcorn – Sweet & Salty / Butter $8
Choc Tops – Vanilla / Boysenberry / Chocolate $8.50

Drinks 

Signature Cocktail $16
Signature Mocktail $14
Morgan’s Bay Cuvee Sparkling $12
Morgan’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc $11
Morgan’s Bay Shiraz Cabernet $11
Furphy Lager $10
Pipsqueak Apple Cider $10
James Boags - Premium Light $8
Heaps Normal XPA $8
Pepsi / Pepsi Max / Solo / Lemonade / Cool Ridge $5