Scienceworks itinerary

Don’t miss a thing with this itinerary designed to guide you through the highlights and hidden gems of Scienceworks. 

Please be aware that some tours and presentations are scheduled and must be booked if you wish to include them in your day.

Allow about 2 hours 30 minutes to see everything included here.

Entrance to Think Ahead

Think Ahead

Make your way to Think Ahead, where you can get hands on with technologies of the future. Build a better city, a car, or augment your own body with prosthetics! Learn from technology of the past with intriguing objects like CSIRAC, Australia’s first computer.

Think Ahead
Woman and young child using interactive in the exhibition

Ground Up

If you’re visiting with a child under five, drop by the Ground Up exhibition, the perfect place for little kids to experiment and play.

Ground Up: Building Big Ideas, Together
Boy racing against Cathy Freeman at Sportsworks

Sportsworks

If you are visiting with older children, go straight to Sportsworks, to measure your body and test your skills before warming up for a race against champion sprinter Cathy Freeman.  

Sportsworks

Planetarium

If you’ve booked a show at the Planetarium, get ready to lie back and explore the universe in this cutting edge full dome theatre experience. A wide variety of shows for all ages and interests are available. 

Melbourne Planetarium

Beyond Perception

Head upstairs to Beyond Perception and explore the invisible fields and forces that surround us. If you’re keen for a rest, this is a great spot to chill out on the couches and be immersed in the constantly evolving soundscape. 

Beyond Perception: Seeing the Unseen
Detail of a steam pump

Pumping Station

It’s time to get outside where you’ll find the playgrounds and cafe. If you’ve booked a show at the Lightning Theatre, you can head over for some high-voltage fun with lightning. 

Then, cross to the Pumping Station to explore 19th Century technologies in this awesome heritage building. Don’t miss the free behind the scenes tours for a chance to see the steam engines in action and visit the WWII air raid shelter.  

Spotswood Pumping Station

Great Melbourne Telescope

Before you finish for the day, look out for the ongoing restoration of the Great Melbourne Telescope. Shipped to Melbourne in the 1860s, it was the first ever large, fully steerable telescope designed to see beyond our galaxy. It’s now on display in the South Pumping Station.  

Bonus tip: If you’re a history buff, book a behind the scenes Collection Tour at the front desk. An expert tour guide will take you through Scienceworks collection of early robots, cars, aeroplanes and engines

Great Melbourne Telescope Restoration