🇦🇺Melbourne Museum "First Peoples" – A place to discover the stories of Indigenous Australians

🇦🇺 Melbourne Museum "First Peoples" – A Place to Experience the Stories of Indigenous Australia The "First Peoples" Gallery is a culturally significant area of the Melbourne Museum. Here, the history, culture, and modern-day journey of Australia's indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are explored through a wealth of exhibits and videos. Exhibition Highlights • Bunjil Theatre: An immersive theater experience where you can experience the story of Bunjil, the creator god, through video and music. • Traditional Arts and Crafts: Regional diversity is evident through displays of boomerangs, didgeridoos, textiles, and ornaments. • Reenacting Oral Culture: Hear directly from the voices of those involved through video interviews and audio guides. • Integration with Contemporary Art: Many contemporary works by Indigenous artists are featured, bridging the gap between history and the present. The Viewing Experience Entering the gallery, you're immediately greeted by a deep sense of serenity and warm light. Time seems to pass slowly, enveloped in hues of red and orange, symbolizing the earth and nature. When I saw the story of the Creator God at the Bunjil Theater, I felt immersed, as if I were a part of the story. Furthermore, many of the exhibits were supervised by the people involved, and the explanatory texts were not one-sided but rather encouraged empathy, which was impressive. Visitor Advice • Time Required: We recommend allocating at least 45 minutes to an hour. • Photography: While photography is permitted in some areas, be aware that some works have no-photography signs. • English Support: While the videos and panels are in English, there are many visuals and actual exhibits that make it easy to understand. Basic Information • Address: 11 Nicholson St, Carlton, VIC • Opening Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Open daily, closed on Christmas Day) • Admission Fee: 15 AUD for adults, free for children (as of August 2025) • Official Website: Melbourne Museum – First Peoples ⸻ Detailed Guide to the Cafes at the Expansive Melbourne Museum 1. Star Wars Galactic Café • Location: Next to the LEGO® Star Wars exhibit, next to the escalator on the basement floor • Opening Hours: Daily 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM (last reservations at 3:00 PM) • Features: A pop-up cafe in collaboration with Disney UK and Lucasfilm. • Menu includes the vegan "Sorgan Burger," Naboo-style Vietnamese pho, and chicken cutlet. • Desserts include the "Death Star by Chocolate" (chocolate parfait) and Chewy's gingerbread, all with a sci-fi vibe. • Reservations & Discounts: Advance reservations recommended (maximum of 8 people). Member discounts available on select days in August 2025. ⸻ 2. Mercury Restaurant • Location: 1st floor, overlooking the Royal Exhibition Building. • Opening Hours: Weekdays 11:30 – 14:00, Weekends 11:00 – 14:30. • Features: Casual dining featuring modern Australian cuisine. Main course + coffee or set menus are available, allowing you to relax and enjoy the view. (Prices: Approximately $30-$43) ⸻ 3. Museum Market Cafe • Location: 1st Floor • Hours: Weekdays 9:00 – 16:00, Weekends 9:00 – 16:30 • Features: A casual cafe offering light meals like sandwiches, salads, and sweets, with takeout options. ⸻ 4. Museum Station Cafe • Location: Inside the Children's Gallery • Hours: Weekdays 9:00 – 16:00, Weekends 9:00 – 16:30 • Features: Family-friendly menu, barista-made coffee, and healthy snacks. ⸻ While touring the museums, I stopped off at Mercury Restaurant, an open-air restaurant overlooking the Royal Exhibition Building. For a light lunch, I chose the "Salmon and Dill Fishcakes," which, with fragrant fennel, soft eggs, and skin-on potatoes, perfectly satisfied my tired body and mind. Also, if you're with kids, you can enjoy a mini burger and cappuccino at the Museum Station Cafe while chatting away the afterglow of the gallery. And...Star Wars fans can't miss the Star Wars Galactic Café. Grabbing a "Blue Milk" and a "Death Star by Chocolate" parfait in front of the exhibit, you'll feel like you've been transported to a scene from the movie. #MelbourneMuseumCafe #StarWarsCafe #MuseeDining #TripcomMoments