Zoom out. What’s this place all about?
As the name implies, ScienceWorks focuses on the fundamentals of science, breaking down specific topics and showcasing how and why they, well, work. Predominantly interactive, the museum is a place of discovery and wonder for both kids and adults. After all, who can resist a high-voltage demonstration in a space known as the Lightning Room?
Education and wonder is a far cry from the purpose of the heritage building opposite, which is also open to the museum’s visitors. The old Spotswood Pumping Station was built in the 1890s and for 70 years, it pumped the entire city’s waste through its pipes on the way to the treatment station. Today, you can tour the pumping station and learn how it fixed "Smellbourne."
After a day of exploration and immersion in science, you may want to rest and relax. A recommended way to do that is to stay at one of the magnificent 5 star hotels in Victoria. With their top-notch amenities, you are guaranteed a comfortable and luxurious stay. Plus, many of them are just a short distance away from top attractions, including ScienceWorks. End your day in style and comfort after witnessing how Science truly works.
What can we find here year-round?
This museum touches upon robotics, space, electricity, technology, climate science, and every other aspect of the modern world; topics are divided into themes and age groups. But don’t expect everything to be locked inside glass cases—you can conduct experiments, play interactive games, and participate in workshops. There are activities for visitors of all ages, including a program for kids under 5, and plenty for adults who are kids at heart. ScienceWorks’ other draw is the Melbourne Planetarium, with its 52-foot domed ceiling, reclining seats, and surround sound. Pre-recorded 30-minute features focus on a particular astronomical theme.
Who should we bring with us?
If you’re with the family, you’ll all have a fab time, and you'll learn something along the way. If you want an adults-only visit, come on a Friday evening for the Planetary Nights program, which features an open bar and two film screenings—one focusing on astronomy and the other on unseen worlds—in the planetarium.
On the practical tip, how were facilities?
You’ll be looking down the entire time you’re here to ensure you don’t step on someone much smaller than yourself. That said, there are lots of places to take a time out, and the museum gets considerably quieter after 3 p.m. on weekdays, when the school groups depart. The galleries and the planetarium are accessible, and there are dedicated wheelchair spaces and hearing loops in the theaters and Lightning Room.
How can we get more information? Are there guided tours?
There are two tours, which are both interesting for grown-ups with a taste for the past. The 40-minute tour, which includes the pumping station, takes visitors through the boiler room, coal bunker, engine room, and straining wells. The half-hour behind-the-scenes tour of the ScienceWorks Collection Store allows you to glimpse more than 40,000 objects collected during the past 150 years—everything from miniature windmills to vintage motorcycles.
Worth indulging in some retail therapy at the gift shop?
Curious minds will love the shop here. It’s filled with microscopes, weather stations, and volcano kits, as well as books, puzzles, and celestial-themed glow-in-the-dark wall decals.
We might need something to munch on. What are our food options?
A small café with limited indoor and outdoor seating offers kids’ lunch boxes (a sandwich, fruit, cookie, and juice), light meals, and coffee. There's also a picnic area with grills in case you want to plan a cookout.
How much time should we budget for a visit?
Chances are you’ve got children with you, so how long you spend here will greatly depend on how long they'll tolerate the museum. Rest assured that there's plenty to keep them occupied for a few hours, especially on a rainy day. And it’s good to know they—and you—will learn something interesting.