Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature – Melbourne, Australia

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Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature is an international traveling exhibition that showcases magical creatures featured in the Wizarding World alongside the real-world animals that may have inspired J.K. Rowling’s creations. It opened at the Melbourne Museum in Melbourne, Australia from May 19, 2023 to October 8, 2023.

Following the exhibition’s first two stops in London and Toronto, Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature is now in Melbourne, and we went to check it out. It’s truly a magical experience the Melbourne Museum has put on in collaboration with the London National History Museum and the Wizarding World.

Stepping inside the exhibition, you are fully immersed in Newt Scamander’s world. The exhibition dives deep into the many famous creatures we are introduced to in the wizarding world, from the myths and legends of unicorns and mermaids to creatures that inspired the author’s imagination, such as chameleons, which share similar characteristics with Demiguises.

 

Mooncalves and other props on display

Source: Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London

 

animal skeletons on display

Source: Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London

 

Not only do we learn all about these fascinating creatures, but the Wizarding World has lent the museum some of the props, costumes, and artwork seen at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter and throughout the Wizarding World films. We won’t give away too many spoilers, but you can see Newt Scamander’s costume and suitcase from the Fantastic Beasts series. Our favorite prop to see on display was Newt’s map of where he located all the creatures he mentions in his book, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

 

Newt Scamander costume and props on display

Source: Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London

 

The magic doesn’t stop there. The curators of the exhibition have outdone themselves and made parts of the exhibit come to life, with cupboards opening by themselves and other interactive elements. You can open a door to hear the contents of the golden egg or how a whale sounds underwater.

It is one of the ultimate experiences for witches and wizards of all ages, and we highly recommend it to anyone in the Melbourne area. The exhibition is on until Sunday, October 8 at the Melbourne Museum. Tickets are available on the museum’s website and include museum entry, or you can see the exhibition at one of the special after-hours viewing sessions, taking place on June 22 and 29.