Hargraves Beach Rock Sculptures Central Coast New South Wales Australia
These wonderful rock sculptures are on Hargraves Beach on the New South Wales Central Coast north of Sydney. Formed over thousands of years by wind rain and the sea, they have formed some amazing shapes. The largest one originally had a larger top, but too much of a good thing has led to it falling off. What’s left still look good though.
Getting There
Located on the Central Coast not far from Norah Head Lighthouse, Hargraves Beach is not that easy to access, especially the southern end where the rocks are. We parked in Elizabeth Dr, Norah Head where we found two access ways onto the beach. Clearly marked, these run between residential properties. On reaching the beach we walked south a few hundred metres until we reached the rocks.
The Beach
The beautiful sandy beach was almost deserted when we visited, probably due to a few passing showers. However, there were several surfers out enjoying themselves. Swimming is not recommended, because this is an unpatrolled beach. You can still enjoy the beach and relax on the sand.
The Rock Sculptures
Located at the southern end of the beach, the sculptures are amazing. Having taken thousands of years to form, each is unique. As the weathering is an ongoing process, the shapes keep changing. This is particularly noticeable on the largest one, which had a section break off a few years ago.
What Did We Think?
This was an interesting and fun place to visit. You could make a full day of it an enjoy the beach, or simply visit to see the rocks.
Hargraves BeachSouth End of the BeachWeather Sculptured RocksWeather Sculptured Rocks
Dedicated to preserving Australia’s social history, the National Museum of Australia contains many unique and significant artefacts. Located in Canberra on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin, its distinctive because of its architecture.
Getting There
We drove and used the large carpark on site, although as with most Canberra parking, there is a fee. Entry to the museum is free, but entrance to any special exhibits incur a fee. During our visit, Ancient Greeks, a large display of ancient Greek artefacts was there, so we paid to visit this too.
EntranceNational Museum of Australia
The Gandel Atrium
This is also the entrance foyer, containing the giftshop and several displays. In the centre is a cast of Australia’s most famous dinosaur, Muttaburrasaurus. Nearby is Australia’s first car, the FJ Holden and a caravan, showing the affluence of the 1950s and the rise of industrialisation.
Situated just off the atrium is the café, where food and drinks can be purchased. We bought morning coffee and snacks here before moving on to other displays.
FJ Holden and Propert Trailaway touring caravanCast of Muttaburrasaurus langdoni
Landmarks Gallery
The Landmarks Gallery traces the social development of Australia from it’s early colonial farming to the current day. Important features such as the windmill used to pump water, harvesters and stagecoaches give way to mining and the stock market. We thought the most interesting item here was the very first Holden Prototype preserved in excellent condition.
Kenya station windmill from the 1920sSunshine HarvesterThoroughbrace Coach used by the Nowland family, 1860–80Backhoe rock shovel bucket from a Terex O&K mining excavator RH-120EHolden Prototype No. 1
First Australians
The First Australians gallery showcases aboriginal society from pre-colonial times to the present day. Artefacts including a full sized outrigger canoe represent Torres Strait Islander culture.
The post-colonial treatment of aboriginal people shows their disenfranchisement, loss of land and persecution. Although attempts have been made to remedy the wrongs of the past, a lot is still required for true equality. The displays here demonstrate the wrongs, often with personal stories from those who suffered.
Hatchet and an adzeBark hut from the Framlingham Kaori settlementMask from the Western Torres StraitDouble outrigger canoe named Kulbasaibai, 2000, from Saibai Island in the Torres Strait,
Special Exhibition Ancient Greeks: Athletes, Warriors and Heroes
Open until 1 May 2022, Ancient Greeks: Athletes, Warriors and Heroes contains many treasures from the British Museum. From statues to tiny coins and jewellery the displays were amazing. If you are in Canberra while this is showing, it is really worth going to. We have been to Greece but still enjoyed this display.
Woman of WealthFrieze from Halikarnossos Greeks vs AmazonsHeroic athlete or athletic heroAmphora depicting the KelesOlympic Discus Thrower
What Did We Think?
We loved the Greek display and would have visited just for that. The rest of the museum has a nationally important collection, which we found interesting. If you want to see the social history of Australia, it’s a great place to visit.
For other places to visit in the Australian Capital Territory click here
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.
