Driving north from Canberra, our trip took us through the small New South Wales town of Canowindra. Interestingly, the town has a museum dedicated to the Age of Fishes.
Fossils were first found in 1955 when roadworks uncovered a slab of rock with interesting impressions. This was later brought to the attention of the Australian Museum in Sydney. In 1993, a dig uncovered 70 tonnes of fossils containing over 3,000 fish. Dated to the Devonian period, the fossils are over 360 million years old.
The site is significant not only for the number of fish, but that they all died at the same time. It appears that a dry spell caused all of the fish to die, preserving the different species and their relative abundance. This is important because usually with the discovery of single specimens, it’s relation and abundance to other species is difficult to determine.
The Age of Fishes Museum
The skull of a giant armoured fish greets you on entering the museum. The modern museum building displays the best of the recovered fossils. Information boards explain the process of recovering and evaluating them along with their significance.
The condition of many of the fossils are not perfect, reflecting the environment they were preserved in. But this isn’t a museum with perfect exhibits picked from the best available worldwide. It shows what happened locally and the scientific value far outweighs their appearance.
Stored in a huge shed next to the museum, the vast majority of the fossils await future study. One large door was open, so we could see fossils stored inside. The information at the museum indicates that many more remain buried at the dig site possibly for recovery at some time in the future.
We enjoyed our visit here and were pleased that we stopped.
Groenlandaspis SkullMuseum Display of lobe-finned fishSome of the Fish Fossils on DisplyFossil and reconstructionFish FossilsComparison of the size of the fossilsStorage shed full of fish fossils
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Driving through Bathurst on our way to the Newnes Industrial ruins we discovered the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum. Surprised to find such an important collection located in regional New South Wales.
The Somerville Collection
Containing over 5,000 objects, the collection was the life’s work of Warren Somerville AM. It features some of the finest and rarest specimens of mineral crystals and fossils from around the world. Somerville donated the collection to the Australian Museum to ensure it remained intact. It is now on permanent display in Bathurst not far from his residence in Orange.
The mineral collection contains samples from over 100 Australian mines as well as international locations. Somerville traded samples from Australia to obtain the best available overseas. The minerals on display are amazing with spectacular crystals and colours.
MalachiteCrocoite Calcite and Carbonate Mineral DisplayUranocircite – Uranium MineralAzurite with ChrysocollaScoleciteCrocoite
Fossils
Also part of the Somerville Collection, the fossil collection contains three dinosaurs, unique Australian opalized fossils and numerous examples from every stage of life on Earth. Dominating the collection is the Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton because of its size. You are able to get up close to the display, because a small mezzanine floor is at T-Rex skull height.
The most unique fossils there are two plesiosaurs because their bones have been opalized. This is very unusual and was great to see.
Crinoid FossilFish FossilsAmmonitesAmmonites CollectionTrilobite FossilOpalized Plesiosaur SkeletonTyrannosaurus Rex SkeletonAlbertosaurus SkeletonTyrannosaurus Rex Skull
Albert Chapman Collection
Temporarily housed in Bathurst while the Australian Museum in Sydney is refurbished, the Albert Chapman Collection is a great addition to the Sommerville Collection. Considered one of the top ten collections in the world, it was purchased by the NSW Government in 1988.
Not only are there minerals from many Australian mines, but many important international specimens are included.
It was great to be able to see the collection in Bathurst, but will be even better when housed in its new display at the Australian Museum.
MalachiteRhodochrosite Display
What Did We Think Of the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum ?
A great place to see two world-class collections, especially if you are interested in geology. Even if you just want to marvel at how some of the crystals could have formed, it’s worth going to. Of course, the T-Rex and dinosaur skeletons are a big drawcard and really make the visit interesting.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Hit by the triple disasters of bushfires, floods and Covid, our visit to Wombeyan Caves was not as extensive as we planned. The fires of 2020 damaged the surrounding country severely, removing much of the vegetation. The heavy rain and floods that followed resulted in land slips and damage to all walking tracks. Entry to the Caves has been restricted by Covid positive visitors and most are closed.
However, we were fortunate that the Wollondilly cave reopened the day we arrived, and Fig Tree Cave had remained open. Our planned two-day visit to see three cave systems and walk some of the bush tracks reduced to one guided cave tour and a self-guided trip.
Getting There
The road into the Caves was very narrow at times making us pleased we did not meet any oncoming traffic. Although the road is being repaired and upgraded it will be some time before it is totally fixed.
Accommodation
Camp sites for caravans and tents along with cooking facilities are managed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife. Booking is essential because only limited spaces are available.
Additionally, onsite self-contained cabins and the old post office are available. Again, bookings are essential due to high demand.
We stayed overnight in one of the onsite cabins which although basic was clean and comfortable. With power, air conditioning and cooking facilities, it had everything we needed for a one-night stay. Renovations to the kiosk mean you need to bring all your own food and drinks, because nothing is available at the campgrounds. Remember to bring your own bed linen and pillows too, as these are not provided in the cabins.
Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve
Officially proclaimed in 1865, the Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve preceded the declaration of the world’s first national park at Yellowstone in 1872. Accessed from the reserve at the base of the valley the caves are in rugged but scenic country.
Surrounded by intrusive igneous rock which metamorphosed the reserve’s 420-million year old limestone into coarse crystalline marble the area has over 500 known caves.
Wollondilly Cave
Fortunately, the Wollondilly system is one of the best available, so we were very pleased to be able to see it. After buying tickets at the NPWS Office we met our guide who took us through 800m of cave.
It has 520 steps spread over five levels varying from concrete and cut marble to vertical ladders. Because the walkways are wet and slippery in places, good footwear is essential.
The tour took us through some amazing caverns, with fantastic formations. The most interesting were the rimstone pools, which look like tiny, fortified cities, although the other amazing formations are hard to beat.
Entrance to the Wollondilly CaveFig Tree Cave FormationStairs Leading Down into the Wollondilly CaveWollondilly CaveRimstone Pool Formations in the Wollondilly CaveFormations in the Wollondilly Cave
Fig Tree Cave
The Fig Tree Cave is a self-guided tour, with stopping points throughout the cave where commentary plays describing the area. Purchasing a double entry to the Fig Tree and Wollondilly Caves is cheaper than buying the two individually.
Possibly the best self-guided caves we have visited, the formations are once again amazing. During our visit, no-one else was in the cave, making it even better, especially after the commentary stopped and it was silent.
The highlight of Fig Tree is the underground river that flows through it, providing a background of noise of running water. The cave’s exit is a huge cathedral-like cavern where the river enters the cave system, before disappearing underground.
Fig Tree CaveFormations in Fig Tree CaveFig Tree CaveWombeyan Creek Flowing Through Fig Tree CaveFig Tree CaveWombeyan Creek Flowing into Fig Tree CaveWombeyan Creek Going into Fig Tree CaveExit Area of Fig Tree Cave
Wildlife and Scenery at Wombeyan Caves
The area has a large kangaroo population which spent the day lounging on the grass reserve. Around twilight, they became more active, hopping around and finding food.
The next morning, we had alpacas looking through a neighbouring fence while we ate breakfast.
If all walking tracks and caves were operating, a two or three-day stay would be needed to see them all. However, with the closures, an overnight trip was enough time to visit the two caves available. Even then the visit is remarkable and worth doing, despite the reduced activities available. We had a great time here exploring the caves.
The only downside was the access road, because it was so narrow in places.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
