Running until May 19, 2024, The Australian Museum is currently hosting an exhibition centred on the Egyptian Pharoah Ramses II. This was a great opportunity to see some of the most important artifacts from ancient Egypt, without having to leave Australia.
Featuring over 180 artifacts, this is a large exhibition that we found fascinating from beginning to end. Starting with a short video presentation covering Ramses II’s life, it then proceeds through a series of display rooms containing the exhibits. Each section also has videos playing describing the artefacts in more detail.
Additional displays covered other aspects of Ancient Egypt, with one of the most striking being Sennedjem’s outer coffin. An artist, he worked on the tombs of Ramses and his father Seti while working on his own coffin on his days off.
Amazing jewelry, mummies of cats and crocodiles, masks and weapons gave diversity to what was displayed. As usual, the last room was a gift shop, where books and souvenirs could be purchased.
Head of a Colossal Statue of Ramses IIUpper part of an obeliskStatue of Ramses II as a sphynxRamses II showing him capturing enemies: a Nubian, a Libyan and a Syrian.Queen Tuya, Ramses motherSennedjem’s outer coffin. An artist, he worked on the tombs of Ramses and his father SetiGilded wooden mask from the tomb of Amenemope a scribe and sageGirdle of Princess Merit (bottom) and collar of Princess Neferuptah (top)Mummified catCoffin of a cat mummyCoffin and coffinettes of Sheshonq IIGold funerary mask of General WendjebauendjedBust of Merenptah, Ramses successorOuter coffin lid of Pinudjem II’s wife Princess Nesikhonsu (left) and inner coffin lid of Pinudjem ICoffin of Ramses IIRamses II
The annual chalk drawing festival Chalk the Walk Newcastle 2023 ran from late September to early October 2023. This year’s theme, All Creatures Great and Small was reflected in the drawings, which ranged from whales to spiders.
As a bonus, Jenny McCracken’s whales located outside Harry’s Cafe de Wheels on Market Street lawn will be a permanent 3D pavement mural. Although the other murals had some protection added to protect them from the rain, this was only temporary and they have now been removed.
Octopus breaking through pavementDog and skateboard in Civic ParkGiant spider on Hunter Street.Whales and birds on Market Street lawnAnimals in front of the Newcastle Information CentreFrog Pond on Hunter Street
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Located near the New South Wales Mid-north coast Town of Bulahdelah, the Boolah-Dillah Track is an Aboriginal Place of cultural significance. Carved trees decorated with Aboriginal carvings can be found along the track. Historically carved trees were markers for burials, safe travelling paths, boundaries and had an important role in ceremony for the local Worimi People. Predominantly found in NSW, carved trees are rare in the rest of Australia. Scar trees however, which have had a section of bark removed for burial wraps, canoes, coolamons (a traditional carrying vessel), shelters and shields are more common and widespread. Lost due to land clearance for agriculture and forestry carved trees are now extremely rare.
The newly carved trees were created as a result of workshops held by the Karuah Local Aboriginal Land Council and sculptor John Van Der Kolk. Young people and elders developed the designs which tell cultural stories with young people learning skills in carving and reconnecting with traditional skills.
Getting There
Access to the track is via an overpass of the Pacific Highway. This one lane bridge leads to a small parking area on the other side.
Highway overpass to the track start
The Track
Two carved trees mark the start of the track which leads into the forest. Although flat at first the track soon becomes steep. Despite this, the uphill sections were not too bad, as we took plenty of breaks to admire the forest around us. As well as the trees, the understory is full of ferns and some beautiful grass trees.
Start of the track with carvings on either side
Flat section of the trackNarrow track next to a moss covered boulderGrass TreeGrass Tree
After a 1.1 km walk the track ends at the Worimi Cultural Area where the surrounding trees have carvings. As this is an ongoing project, several trees have newly prepared areas while other carvings are yet to be finished.
Tree carvingGoanna carvingJust started carving of a manTree carvingNew carving yet to be completedRest place with bench seats
Past the Cultural Area, the track continues as the Mountain Track, which passes through more forest to a lookout with great views over the surrounding area.
What Did We Think?
At just 2.2 km return, this was a great little walk. The steep sections might be challenging for some, but by resting and taking your time to admire the surroundings, it very enjoyable.
