Destination's Journey

Category: Aboriginal

  • Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

    Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

    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.

    Muttaburrasaurus Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
    Muttaburrasaurus Dinosaur Skeleton

    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.

    • Canoe
      Aboriginal Bark Canoe
    • Woureddy (left) and Trucannini (right)
      Woureddy (left) and Trucannini (right)
    • Manalagerna (left) and Tanleboueyer (right) Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
      Manalagerna (left) and Tanleboueyer (right)

    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.

    • Echidna and Platypus
      Echidna and Platypus
    • Spotted-Tail Quol, Eastern Quol (dark) Eastern Quol (light), Tasmanian Devil
      Spotted-Tail Quol, Eastern Quol (dark) Eastern Quol (light), Tasmanian Devil
    • Tasmanian Tiger Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
      Tasmanian Tiger
    • Tasmanian Tiger Skeletons Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
      Male and Female Tasmanian Tiger Skeletons
    • Tasmanian Tiger Photos
      Tasmanian Tiger 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.

    • Coin Display
      Coin Display
    • Coin Display
      Coin Display
    • Scales
      Scales

    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 Paintings Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
      Art Gallery Paintings
    • Art Gallery Displays
      Art Gallery Displays

    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
    • Albatross
      Albatross
    • Huskies
      Huskies
    • Mawson's Hut
      Mawson’s Hut
    • Antarctic Exploration Photos
      Antarctic Exploration Photos

    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.

  • Australian Museum Sydney

    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
      Zulu Shields in Treasures of the Museum
    • Australian Museum Sydney
      Australian Museum Sydney
    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.

    • Australian Museum Sydney
    • Australian Museum Sydney
    • Australian Museum Sydney
    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.

    • Cassowary
      Cassowary
    • Giraffe and Zebra
      Giraffe and Zebra
    • Giraffe
      Giraffe
    • Adult and Juvenile Elephant Skeletons
      Adult and Juvenile Elephant Skeletons

    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.

    • King Parrot
      King Parrot
    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.

    • Diprotodon
      Diprotodon
    • Thylacine or Tasmanian Tiger
      Thylacine or Tasmanian Tiger
    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.

    • Muttaburrasaurus
      Muttaburrasaurus
    • Muttaburrasaurus Skeleton
      Muttaburrasaurus Skeleton

    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.

  • Burrawang Walk Kamay Bay

    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
      Interpretive Sign

    Meeting Place

    The Meeting Place Kamay Botany Bay National Park Burrawand Walk
    The 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
      Plaque at 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.

    Banks Memorial Burrawand Walk
    Banks Memorial

    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.

    • Whale Sculpture
      Whale Sculpture
    • Whale Sculpture
      Whale Sculpture
    • Whale Bone Sculpture
      Eyes of the Land and Sea
    • Whale Bone Sculpture
      Whale Bone Sculpture
    • Bronze Canoe Sculpture
      Bronze Canoe Sculpture

    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.

    Forby Sutherland Burial
    Forby Sutherland Burial

    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.