national wool museum

B1RD1EMelbourne

Having spent many years of my life on a farm, it was a nostalgic journey through the National Wool Museum in Geelong.With a fully operational loom running, the historic displays were fantastic to see.

64dianneh

This a great way to look back into history, also great exhibitions, also has interactive exhibits for children

305kareny

One of the highlights was the interior of a 50s and 60s home. A couple of interactive displays for kids.

keremary

Very reasonable price to get in about $8 and interesting history of the wool production in Australia, especially around Victoria. Great gift shop and information centre too, good toilets. The best was the interior of a home going back to the 50's and 60's, for some it will be a shock to walk back into mum and dad's house. Sends (nice) shivers down your spine seeing all the old memories. However it was the International Wildlife Photographer of the Year we came to see and it was awe inspiring, beautiful, confronting and very special. We felt honoured to see it.

Grandadspider

I had read of an exhibition of the playing career of Don Bradman so couldn't wait to see it. There was also an exhibition of wildlife photography which I have to say was the best I have seen for a long while. Then a history of the importance of the wool industry to Geelong presented in a very interesting and informative format. A very good visit.

Down_Under01

Such a well displayed history of wool in the western district along with memorabilia from the early years of Geelong. A working carpet loom, and carpets for sale. Somewhere you can actually Aussie made souvenirs, many from wool, though they are frightfully expensive. Excellent place to visit.

TwoByTwo

So glad I included this in our Great Ocean Road itinerary adventures. The museum and gift shop were more engaging that I expected. We spent more than a half hour talking with Bryan (at least I think that was his name) and observing the functions of the historic carpet loom which is in the center of the museum. The husbands also wound up talking for quite a while with several staff about the intricacies of the game of cricket, something we in America are not as familiar with. In addition the staff for the Great Ocean Road information center (which is located in the gift shop of the wool museum) were very helpful with maps and even a tote bag to hold all of the information.

johnrath

Having just finished a book on the 1930s "Bodyline Contoversy" I could have done without the section on "The Art of Donald Bradman", but the history, development and processing of wool was fascinating. I enjoyed the photo of 72,000 sheep waiting to be sheared...and the operation of the 70 year old loom donated by my "almost" home town of Kidderminster.

Bluesky2325

I had been told that I needed to see the wool museum and decided to visit it this time I was in Geelong with the kids. We managed to spend 3 hours going through all the levels, although you can come and go all day as you please with the one entry ticket. There are lots of interactive displays so that people of all ages will find things to learn, explore and enjoy.

redvfr750

Fantastic exhibit for both Don Bradman and Photographics of wildlife. A must to see. Price was reasonable and service great. Easy to park too--

DonnaMN

simply wonderful, to see the carpet loom in action thru to the history of how Australia's wealth came from the back of a sheep. Love the fact it is interactive .... yes you CAN touch things - in fact you are encouraged to do so. Plus the added benefit of other exhibits was great - Bradman and wildlife photos. Allow at least 2 hours if not longer to really enjoy the experience.

413vikkiw

My partner detoured here on our trip to the great ocean road. Can't thank him enough. He also was amazed at the extent of the exhibition.This was a surprising and informative display of the history of wool and the process from fibre to fabric. The display was well set out on three levels and fascinating, with machinery, fleece and fabrics displayed. I loved the recreation of the shearers barn, the shearers quarters and the farm house. I was I heaven surround by fleece, fibres, and fabrics, we wondered around the museum for nearly two hours in motor bike gear. Well worth the pit stop.

166emmaw

We did not intend to go to the Wool museum - we planned to visit the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, and did not realise that it included a visit to the museum as well. We ended up spending about 5 hours, much longer than our planned hour or two. The museum itself is fascinating - both the sections on sheep, breeding, shearing, sheep dogs etc, but also the areas showing how raw wool is made into cloth - including some amazing big machines for weaving carpet, scouring, carding, knitting etc. Lots of hands on activities for kids and big kids, to feel the wool, feed it through a small carding machine, practice different types of weaving - these kept my 8 year old son interested. Then there was an exhibition of Donald Bradman (including kids cricket games), and the wildlife photography exhibition, both outstanding in themselves, and a huge jigsaw puzzle of a historic map of Geelong, very interesting for those who grew up here. Thoroughly recommended.

norazzahm

Lot of information and very informative. The Galleries are very well planned to give an overview to the life of the people in wool trading.

Golden13girl

Well worth a visit. A fascinating insight into the life and times of the shearers, wool classers and the folk who worked at the numerous woolen mills in Geelong. The display of the different breeds of sheep was informative, and if you happen to arrive when the loom is operating, that's a bonus.