Destination's Journey

Category: Museum

  • Australian National Maritime Museum

    Australian National Maritime Museum

    Australian National Maritime Museum

    Covering Australia’s maritime history from pre-colonial times to the present, the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney has an excellent collection of ships and artefacts on display. The most obvious displays are the ships and boats of the heritage fleet docked on Darling Harbour, but those inside also deserve a lot of attention.

    Indigenous Watercraft

    As the oldest users of the Australian coast and waterways, a large section is devoted to indigenous watercraft and heritage. Displays of canoes from around Australia and the Torres Strait are on display.

    Aboriginal Bark Canoe
    Aboriginal Bark Canoe
    Ilma from the Bardi Jawi people
    Ilma from the Bardi Jawi people

    Kay Cottee and Blackmores First Lady

    In 1989, Kay Cottee became the first woman to circumnavigate the world alone, without stopping, without assistance, by way of both hemispheres and the five southernmost capes. It took her 189 days in Blackmores First Lady, in a time before Social Media and with poor communications.

    Visitors are able to enter the boat and experience how small it is. Getting on board really makes you realise what an incredible achievement it was.

    Blackmores First Lady in which Kay Cottee became the first woman to perform a single-handed, non-stop and unassisted circumnavigation of the world
    Blackmores First Lady in which Kay Cottee became the first woman to perform a single-handed, non-stop and unassisted circumnavigation of the world
    Inside Kay Cottee's Blackmores First Lady Australian National Maritime Museum
    Inside Kay Cottee’s Blackmores First Lady

    Model Ships

    One section of the Museum has beautifully made ship models relevant to Australia. As the museum is based in Sydney most of the Royal Australian Navy’s shops named HMAS Sydney are displayed. The largest and most impressive is the aircraft carrier, which has amazing detail.

    Other models range from sailing ships to bulk iron ore carriers. All were important either for exploration or trade.

    Model of The Royal Australian Aircraft Carrier HMAS Sydney (III)
    Model of The Royal Australian Aircraft Carrier HMAS Sydney (III)
    A model of BHP Pacific Iron
    A model of BHP Pacific Iron
    Sailing Ship Model Australian National Maritime Museum
    Sailing Ship Model

    Other Exhibits

    Interesting displays located throughout the museum include the ships bell from USS Canberra (AG-2) which was named after HMAS Canberra, a heavy cruiser sunk during the Second World War. A 40mm cannon from a Royal Australian Navy ship lets you get a close up look at this important anti-aircraft weapon.

    The Bell of USS Canberra CAG-2 Australian National Maritime Museum
    The Bell of USS Canberra CAG-2
    Spirit of Australia - The World's Fastest Boat 1978 Australian National Maritime Museum
    Spirit of Australia – The World’s Fastest Boat 1978
    Bofors 40mm cannon Australian National Maritime Museum
    Bofors 40mm cannon
    Up Close with a Figurehead
    Deep Sea Diver Statue Australian National Maritime Museum
    Deep Sea Diver Statue

    HMAS Vampire

    HMAS Vampire (II) D11 was a Daring class destroyer operated by the Royal Australian Navy.  Launched in 1959 and decommissioned in 1986. Entry to Vampire and the other ships is included in the ticket cost of the Maritime Museum (as of March 2024).

    HMAS Vampire National Maritime Museum
    HMAS Vampire
    HMAS Vampire 4.5" Guns National Maritime Museum
    HMAS Vampire 4.5″ Guns
    Sick Bay of HMAS Vampire
    Sick Bay of HMAS Vampire
    Senior Ratings' Lounge HMAS Vampire
    Senior Ratings’ Lounge HMAS Vampire

    HMAS Onslow

    HMAS Onslow was an Oberon class submarine of the Royal Australian Navy. Commissioned 1969 in and decommissioned in 1999. Walking through the submarine makes you realise how cramped the conditions are. This isn’t somewhere I would want to live months on end.

    HMAS Onslow Warship Submarine
    HMAS Onslow
    Engine Room HMAS Onslow National Maritime Museum
    Engine Room HMAS Onslow
    Engine Room HMAS Onslow National Maritime Museum
    Engine Room HMAS Onslow
    Torpedo Room HMAS Onslow National Maritime Museum
    Torpedo Room HMAS Onslow

    Historical Fleet

    The historical fleet contains ships that have importance to Australia’s maritime heritage. Possibly the most impressive to still be preserved is the Krait. This ex-Japanese fishing boat was used by Australia Special Forces during the Second World War to sneak into Singapore Harbour where they damaged 37,000 tonnes of Japanese ships.

    HMAS Advance
    HMAS Advance patrol boat
    MV Krait
    MV Krait
    Lightship Carpentaria
    Lightship Carpentaria
  • Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra

    Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra

    Discover Ancient Egypt At The National Museum of Australia in Canberra

    On display until 8 September 2024 at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra, Discover Ancient Egypt displays fascinating artifacts from the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden).

    What’s on Display

    Entering the museum, you are greeting by a statue of Anubis, the Egyptian god of funerary rites, protector of graves, and guide to the underworld. From here, the displays take you through the lives of ancient Egyptians, with an emphasis on the funerary process.

    Statue of Anubis at the Entrance to the Australian Museum Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra
    Statue of Anubis at the Entrance to the Australian Museum

    Stelae

    Used for a variety of purposes, stelae are stone or wooden slabs containing information. Uses included burial markers placed outside tombs, monuments that commemorated special events, the marking of boundaries or made offerings to gods. As such they provide a great inside to the thinking of the Egyptians.

    Funerary stela of Hor, Late period 26th Dynasty c.664-525 BCE
    Funerary stela of Hor, Late period 26th Dynasty c.664-525 BCE
    Limestone offering stela of Khu and his family, Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty, c.1878-1843 BCE
    Limestone offering stela of Khu and his family, Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty, c.1878-1843 BCE
    Stela of Pamaaf, showing Pamaaf making an offering to Re-Horakhty and a figure of Ptah-Sokar-Osiris Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra
    Stela of Pamaaf, showing Pamaaf making an offering to Re-Horakhty and a figure of Ptah-Sokar-Osiris
    Limestone offering stela, 12th Dynasty, c.2080-1940 BCE Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra
    Limestone offering stela, 12th Dynasty, c.2080-1940 BCE

    Sarcophagi and Coffins

    This was one of the largest parts of the display, with 10 coffins on display. The detail of the decorations used on them really has to be seen to be appreciated. Not only are the outsides covered, but the interior as well.

    Also in this section, were several mummies. To demonstrate the latest scientific techniques used an interactive display allowed us to see what a 3D scan revealed. This meant that the interior and composition of the mummy could be determined without unwrapping and damaging the body inside.

    Cartonnage of Nehemsu, 22 Dynasty, 943-746 BCE
    Cartonnage of Nehemsu, 22 Dynasty, 943-746 BCE
    Inner coffin of Amenhotep - High Priest of Amun, 21st Dynasty 1076-944 BCE
    Inner coffin of Amenhotep – High Priest of Amun, 21st Dynasty 1076-944 BCE
    Detail of the Inner coffin of Amenhotep 1076-944 BCE Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra
    Detail of the Inner coffin of Amenhotep 1076-944 BCE
    Coffin of Haytemhat, Late Period 722-332 BCE
    Mummy cover of Khonsuhotep, Third Intermediate Period 1076-944 BCE
    Mummy cover of Khonsuhotep, Third Intermediate Period 1076-944 BCE
    Inner coffin of Khonsuhotep, Third Intermediate Period 1076-944 BCE
    Inner coffin of Khonsuhotep, Third Intermediate Period 1076-944 BCE
    Coffin of Haytemhat, Late Period, c.722-332 BCE Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra
    Coffin of Haytemhat, Late Period, c.722-332 BCE

    Canopic Jars

    During the mummification process, the internal organs and brain were removed. As these would be needed in the afterlife, they were stored in canopic jars. On display, were a series of jars, showing how the designed changed from square boxes, to stone jars.

    Canopic chest, Late Period, 722-322 BCE Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra
    Canopic chest, Late Period, 722-322 BCE
    Three canopic jars
    Three canopic jars

    Burial Goods

    To ensure the dead enjoyed the afterlife, the tombs contained objects they would need. This could be as simple as a model of a boat, or a complex diorama showing the making of bread and the brewing of beer, to ensure that these were is plentiful supply.

    Winged scarab, representing the rising sun
    Winged scarab, representing the rising sun
    Tomb statue of Hormin 19th Dynasty, 1290-1213 BCE
    Tomb statue of Hormin 19th Dynasty, 1290-1213 BCE
    Pyramidion of Pauty, New Kingdom 1539-1077 BCE
    Pyramidion of Pauty, New Kingdom 1539-1077 BCE
    Ship model 722-322 BCE
    Ship model 722-322 BCE
    Model Granary, Middle Kingdom 1980-1760 BCE Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra
    Model Granary, Middle Kingdom 1980-1760 BCE

    What Did We Think?

    This was a fantastic exhibition and highly recommended to anyone who likes archaeology or ancient history. Laid out with plenty of detailed descriptions, the displays are amazing. If you’re in Canberra while it’s on, it’s a great way to see Egyptian artifacts without leaving the country.

    Replica of the Rosetta Stone
    Replica of the Rosetta Stone

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  • Old Government House and Parramatta Park Australia

    Old Government House and Parramatta Park Australia

    Old Government House Parramatta Australia

    Located on the banks of the Parramatta River, Old Government House is the oldest surviving public building in Australia. Additionally it is an important UNESCO World Heritage listed site, and one of 11 recognised convict sites that tell the story of Australia’s forced convict migration.

    History of Old Government House

    Built between 1799 and 1818 by convict labour, the house and Barracks buildings are the oldest surviving public buildings in Australia.

    The Georgian house was the country residence for the first ten governors of New South Wales. The ten Governors used Old Government House as either their primary or secondary residence.

    Governor Denison officially handed over the house to the care of the Parramatta Park Trust in 1855. Parramatta Park Trust leased the building for private use, and over the next 100 years it was run variously as a boarding house, school and private home.

    In 1967 the House transferred to the National Trust by an act of Parliament. The house features a collection of Australian colonial furniture, displayed as it would have been when Governor Macquarie was in residence.

    Current Use of Old Government House

    Today, Old Government House is operated as a museum and managed by the National Trust of Australia (NSW). Only open Thursday to Sunday

    Government House
    Government House
    Old Government House Parramatta
    Government House

    Parramatta Park

    Covering 85 hectares, the surrounding grounds of Old Government House, known as Parramatta Park, provide a picturesque setting for walks and recreational activities.

    Originally used for farming and grazing by the early settlers in the late 19th century, it was transformed into a public park by Frederick Law Olmsted, renowned for his work on New York City’s Central Park.

    Main Entrance
    Main Entrance

    Historical Landmarks and Memorials

    Parramatta Park is home to several historical landmarks and memorials that pay tribute to significant events, influential figures, and important moments in Australian history.

    Boer War Memorial

    Erected in 1904, this memorial commemorates the soldiers from New South Wales who served in the Boer War (1899-1902) in South Africa.

    Boer War Memorial Old Government House Parramatta
    Boer War Memorial

    Governor Brisbane’s Bathhouse

    Built in the early 19h century for Governor Brisbane, the Trustees converted it to a pavilion in 1886.

    Bath House
    Bath House

    Observatory

    Governor Brisbane built an observatory in the Park in 1821, in keeping with the spirit of discovery of the time. Used by explorer Thomas Mitchell’s first trigonometric survey of Australia in 1828, the transit stones, which originally supported a transit telescope, are all that remains of the observatory.

    Site of the observatory
    Site of the observatory
    Transit stones from the observatory
    Transit stones from the observatory

    For more information about Parramatta Park and its memorials, you can visit the official website: Parramatta Park.

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