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20 June 20217 August 2021

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

Spotted-Tail Quol, Eastern Quol (dark) Eastern Quol (light), Tasmanian Devil

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

Established in 1848 and conveniently located opposite Constitution Dock, in the centre of Hobart, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery is a great place to discover Tasmania’s unique history. Covering natural history, aboriginal and European settlement to Antarctic exploration, there is something here to interest everyone. There is even a dinosaur at the entrance.

Indigenous Culture

Several galleries explore Indigenous Tasmanian Aboriginal culture, from artefacts to artworks. Their treatment and subsequent genocide is treated in detail. Everyone visiting Tasmania should see it, so that they understand this part of history.

Woureddy (left) and Trucannini (right) — Aboriginal Bark Canoe

Tasmanian Wildlife

Most people won’t be able to see the unique Australian wildlife, so the display here is a great place to see what they look like. From echidna and platypus, the egg laying monotremes, to quolls and devils, you can see them all.

Importantly, a display of the Thylacine, the Tasmanian Tiger shows what this now extinct marsupial looked like. The last one died in 1933 in Hobart Zoo, so now all that remains are the skeletons, stuffed displays and photos.

Coins at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

Containing bank notes and coins from colonial times to decimal currency, this small gallery is a good place to learn about Australian currency. One of the largest collections of Roman coins in the country can also be found here. So, if you are interested in how the currency has changed, it’s worth a visit.

Art Gallery

The art gallery section of the museum contains an interesting collection of paintings and sculptures covering Tasmanian themes. We found the paintings and sculptures of Tasmanian aborigines the best part, as we had not seen them before.

Art Gallery Displays — Art Gallery Paintings

Antarctic Exploration

Tasmania’s link to Antarctic exploration is on display with an amazing array of wildlife and explorer exhibits. A model of Mawson’s Hut shows how the explorers lived in the early 1900s. A photo gallery nearby puts a human face to the scientists and explorers, which is great because many museums only show physical displays.

The wildlife displays give an idea of the abundant wildlife that exists there. We found this interesting, because we probably won’t travel there. The size of the seals and albatross was surprizing, because you don’t get an idea of how big they are from photos.

Antarctic Wildlife Display Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery — Antarctic Wildlife Display

What Did We Think?

For a great insight into Tasmanian history this is a great place to visit, because it covers everything from pre colonial times, to Antarctic exploration and wildlife. Even though we have lived in Tassie, we found it interesting because of the wonderful exhibits and displays. Highly recommended to anyone visiting Hobart.

28 March 202125 August 2021

Australian Museum Sydney

Australian Museum

Located near Hyde Park in the centre of Sydney, the Australian Museum is a wonderful place to spend a few hours wandering around the amazing displays. Designed by colonial architect Mortimer Lewis, the current building opening in 1857, although the museum’s collection dates back to 1827.

An extensive refurbishment in 2021 has resulted in updated and refreshed exhibits, bringing the museum into the 21st century.

Getting There

The Domain carpark is the closest secure parking spot to the museum, being only a ten-minute walk away.

Using Sydney’s public transport system is easy, with the Museum, St James and Town Hall train stations all within a ten-minute walk of the museum. Bus stops along Elizabeth Street, next to Hyde Park are another great option to get there.

What to See

Ground Level

200 Treasures

Located on the ground floor the 200 Treasures represent people and objects, that tell stories about Australia and the world.

The displays range from Zulu shields and Pacific Island sculptures, to a skeleton man on a skeleton horse.

Skeleton Man on a Horse Australian Museum Sydney — Skeleton Man on a Horse

Zulu Shields in Treasures of the Museum Australian Museum Sydney — Skeleton Man on a Horse

First Nations

The First Nations display is part of the recent Museum refurbishment, giving an excellent overview of indigenous Australians before colonisation.

We loved the range of boomerangs, shields and spears on display, along with their descriptions on information panels.

Wild Planet

In Wild Planet, animals from Australia and around the world are on display. Two huge elephant skeletons show the size of these animals. Overhead, an even bigger sperm whale skeleton looks down from the ceiling.

Over 400 animals are displayed here, including extinct and endangered species. This was a great place to learn about the animals and their habitats. Not only do the displays details the animals, but also explain how they are impacted by human activity.

Level 2

Birds of Australia

Australian birds have a whole section to themselves because of their vast numbers and beauty. The displays vary from the giant emu and Cassowary to seabirds and colourful parrots. The parrot display shows the huge range of colours to be found in these birds.

These displays are a great opportunity for people who don’t leave the city to see the colour of the outback.

Surviving Australia

Specialising in the creatures of Australia, this section takes you from ancient megafauna to modern spiders and snakes.

A model of an ancient diprotodon let you see how massive these giant wombat-like creatures were. Nearby the extinct Thylacine, or Tasmanian Tiger exhibit explains how the mammal went extinct on mainland Australia. The introduction of the dingo outcompeted them for food, driving them to extinction. Surviving until the 1930s in Tasmania, hunting by farmers caused them to die out there too.

An excellent stop for tourists or locals who want to see some of Australia’s more dangerous animals. Displays of dangerous snakes, spiders and saltwater crocodile allow you to see them up close, but in complete safety.

Thylacine or Tasmanian Tiger — Diprotodon

Pacific Spirit

Pacific Spirit celebrates the culture of the Pacific Islands. Wonderful exhibits showcase the unique culture of these people, with masks, headgear, ceremonial poles and jewellery.

Dinosaurs

Having loved dinosaurs since being a kid this was one of my favourite exhibits. From T-Rex and velociraptors, there are many dinosaurs on display. One of Australia’s first discovered specimens is on display, muttaburrasaurus. Prior to its discovery in Queensland (near the town of Muttaburra!), very few dinosaur traces were found in Australia.

The Hobbit Homo Floresiencis

The discovery of homo floresiencis on the Indonesian Island of Flores caused a huge stir in the world of archaeology, because of its diminutive stature. Controversy about its place in the human family tree still rages in the scientific community. The museum has a small case displaying the hobbit as it has been called. This is not an easy display to find, because it is hidden away under a staircase, going up from the Wild Planet gallery.

Homo Floresiensis Australian Museum Sydney — Homo Floresiensis

Mineralogy

The mineralogy collection is the oldest rock and mineral collection in Australia, and the mineral component is the largest of any Australian collection. The meteorite collection is the oldest and second largest in the country. With nearly 80,000 specimens, only a few can be on display, however, these are some of the best available.

Mineral Collection Australian Museum Sydney

Australian Christmas Beetles Australian Museum Sydney — Australian Christmas Beetles

Circle Stone Money Australian Museum Sydney — Circle Stone Money

Refreshments

Two eating areas provide a chance to re-fuel while at the museum. A family friendly kiosk on level 2 is great for a quick snack or light meal. The roof-top restaurant has views over Hyde Park and Sydney Harbour while you dine.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

6 March 202131 March 2021

Burrawang Walk Kamay Bay

Burrawang Walk Kamay Bay

Kamay Visitor Centre

Before setting out on the Burrawang Walk, drop into the Visitor Centre. Not only are the toilets located here, but it is full of useful information for your visit. The staff were very friendly and helpful, which made the day start on a positive note.

Burrawang Walk Kamay Bay

Weaving through the history of the area, the Burrawang Walk takes you through the eyes of the original inhabitants of the area, through to Cook’s landing in 1770 and to its ongoing impact. Starting at the Visitor Centre it was originally called the Monuments Track, because of the monuments in the area. This is an easy track, because it’s only 1.2 km long, and mostly on grass or concrete pathways.

Interpretive Signs

Interpretive signs provide an insight into Aboriginal life in the area and the impact white settlement had on them. This is great because until recently, only European heritage was commemorated here.

Interpretive Area Burrawand Walk — Some of the Interpretive Signs

Interpretive Sign Burrawand Walk — Some of the Interpretive Signs

Meeting Place

Cook’s Landing Place

A large obelisk and plaque commemorating Cook’s landing place dominate one section of the shore. In 1770, Lieutenant (later Captain) Cook landed here and claimed the continent in the name of the British Crown.

Captain Cook's Landing — Captain Cook’s Landing

Plaque at Cook's Landing — Captain Cook’s Landing

Banks’ Memorial

Banks inclusion in Cook’s expedition as a scientist led to many discoveries of plants and animals unknown to Europeans. A large memorial to him sits near Cook’s memorial, which recognises his contribution to science.

Solander Memorial

An interesting memorial and the first one we saw is to Daniel Solander, a Swedish scientist who accompanied Banks on the Cook expedition. He was the first Swede and university trained scientist to set foot in Australia.

Solander’s documentation of unknown plants led to the area being named Botany Bay, although now it has a dual name, Kamay Bay in recognition of its Aboriginal heritage.

Overshadowed by Banks while also dying at the young age of 49, he did not develop the reputation he deserved.

Solander Memorial Kamay Botany Bay National Park Burrawand Walk — Solander Memorial

Bronze Sculptures

Sitting in, or on the water’s edge are three sets of bronze sculptures. These commemorate the 250th anniversary of the meeting of Aboriginal Australians and the crew of HMB Endeavour.

First European’s Grave

Located on the waterfront, is a plaque marking the grave of Forby Sutherland, the first British subject buried in Australia. Forby died of tuberculosis.

What Did We Think of Burrawang Walk?

This was a nice, easy walk with lots to see. The numerous information boards were educational, which made it even more interesting. This is a must visit if you are in Sydney, because of the number of memorials and European heritage.

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Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

Indigenous Culture

Tasmanian Wildlife

Coins at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

Art Gallery

Antarctic Exploration

What Did We Think?

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Australian Museum

Getting There

What to See

Ground Level

200 Treasures

First Nations

Wild Planet

Level 2

Birds of Australia

Surviving Australia

Pacific Spirit

Dinosaurs

The Hobbit Homo Floresiencis

Mineralogy

Refreshments

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Burrawang Walk Kamay Bay

Kamay Visitor Centre

Burrawang Walk Kamay Bay

Interpretive Signs

Meeting Place

Cook’s Landing Place

Banks’ Memorial

Solander Memorial

Bronze Sculptures

First European’s Grave

What Did We Think of Burrawang Walk?

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