A Brief Guide To Museum Victoria's Scienceworks

Since the 28th of March 1992, Scienceworks has acted as an institution for young minds to ask why and find out how. Located in Spotswood, the purpose-built museum ‘links Melbourne’s industry, heritage and applied technology’ in the shadow of the West Gate Bridge, across from the historic pumping station. Scienceworks offers hands-on presentations, exhibits and tours that challenge inquisitive minds of all ages and explores deep space, natural wonders, the human body and our planet.

Lightning Room

Funded by Victoria University, the Lightning Room at Scienceworks opened in 2004, and it features a 30-minute live show which unleashes the power of an electrical storm. Find a spot in the 120-seat auditorium and watch as a giant Tesla Coil, capable of generating more than two million volts of electricity, produces three-metre lightning bolts. The electrifying display also features an electromagnetic can crusher, Jacob’s ladder, lightning safety strategies and a high voltage pickle cucumber. The show is not recommended for children under six years old.

Melbourne Planetarium

Sit back comfortably in a reclining seat and watch an awe-inspiring cosmic presentation across Melbourne Planetarium’s 16-metre domed ceiling. Featuring 7.1 surround sound and a full dome video projection system, Scienceworks invites visitors to sit back and relax during an informative and entertaining show, which is truly out of this world. Each astronomical session begins with a 30-minute pre-recorded audio/visual display and is followed by a live presentation of the current night sky.

Pumping Station

Constructed in 1897, the Spotswood Pumping Station played a vital role in the Melbourne Sewerage Scheme, which sought to improve the city’s early sanitation problems. Hear stinky stories, walk through the boiler room, and see the coal bunker and engine room. Take a self-guided tour or go on a 40-minute specialist tour with Senior Curator of Engineering and Transport Matthew Churchward.

Sportsworks

Race against Olympian Cathy Freeman, test your reflexes as a soccer goalkeeper and jump onto the snowboard simulator at Sportsworks. This permanent exhibition allows you to challenge your body and discover the science behind movement. Investigate a variety of sports and see where your particular abilities take you.

Café and Shop

Once you’ve finished exploring the museum, you can sit down at the café or visit the shop where you’ll find everything for the budding scientist, including volcano kits, weather stations, microscopes, telescopes, books, posters, cosmic gifts and much more, to help unveil the mysteries of the universe.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.