Melbourne Museum will open its latest permanent gallery, Our Wondrous Planet, this Saturday, offering visitors the chance to explore more than 800 animals across four of Earth’s most vital ecosystems.
Covering 1800 square metres, the exhibition marks one of the museum’s most ambitious projects to date, bringing four billion years of life and evolution into a single immersive experience.
The gallery is designed to transport audiences through four interconnected environments – reef, rainforest, ice and soil – showcasing how each plays a crucial role in sustaining life on Earth.
Visitors will step into the action, from gliding on ocean currents and witnessing the birth of a coral reef to venturing beneath the soil into vast root networks. The rainforest canopy comes alive with animal encounters, while icy polar regions reveal seals and whales navigating frigid waters.
Guided by interwoven First Peoples’ knowledge and contemporary science, Our Wondrous Planet highlights both the beauty of natural systems and the urgency of protecting biodiversity. The gallery encourages visitors to reflect on how individual choices can help restore ecosystems under pressure from climate change and human activity.
The exhibition combines Melbourne Museum’s extensive collections with multisensory features including hands-on interactives, large-scale projections, and global First Peoples’ storytelling. Four billion years of connection and evolution are brought together in what organisers describe as a transformative journey through Earth’s living systems.
“Our Wondrous Planet will share compelling stories that ignite a sense of awe at the extraordinary spectacle and fantastic improbability of life on earth,” said Museums Victoria CEO and Director Lynley Crosswell. “Museums Victoria’s unique collections and expertise are artfully showcased in this extraordinary and beautiful experience.”
Our Wondrous Planet will be free with museum entry. For more information, visit the website.
