Destination's Journey

Category: Science

  • Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum

    Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum

    Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum Bathurst

    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.

    Malachite
    Malachite
    Crocoite National Fossil and Mineral Museum
    Crocoite
    Calcite and Carbonate Mineral Display
    Calcite and Carbonate Mineral Display
    Uranocircite - Uranium Mineral
    Uranocircite – Uranium Mineral
    Azurite with Chrysocolla
    Azurite with Chrysocolla
    Scolecite
    Scolecite
    Crocoite
    Crocoite

    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 Fossil
    Crinoid Fossil
    Fish Fossils National Fossil and Mineral Museum
    Fish Fossils
    Ammonites
    Ammonites
    Ammonites Collection
    Ammonites Collection
    Trilobite Fossil National Fossil and Mineral Museum
    Trilobite Fossil
    Opalized Plesiosaur Skeleton
    Opalized Plesiosaur Skeleton
    Tyrannosaurus Rex Skeleton National Fossil and Mineral Museum
    Tyrannosaurus Rex Skeleton
    Albertosaurus Skeleton National Fossil and Mineral Museum
    Albertosaurus Skeleton
    Tyrannosaurus Rex Skull
    Tyrannosaurus 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.

    Malachite National Fossil and Mineral Museum
    Malachite
    Rhodochrosite Display
    Rhodochrosite 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.

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  • National Dinosaur Museum

    National Dinosaur Museum

    National Dinosaur Museum

    One of the Australian Capital Territories’ main tourist attractions, the National Dinosaur Museum explains evolution through the use of fossils and interactive displays. Animatronics and recreated landscapes bring the displays to life, adding a lot of fun to the museum.

    Outside the museum, a dinosaur-themed playground keeps the kids entertained, a life size Triceratops greets you at the entrance.

    Life Size Triceratops outside the Museum
    Life Size Triceratops outside the National Dinosaur Museum

    Laid out chronologically, the displays take you though the evolution of life. Starting with invertebrates, displays of trilobites and giant scorpions explain some of the earlier life forms. Many of the displays are casts (these are clearly marked), but some are original. Even so, there is a great range of them.

    Invertebrates

    Trilobite
    Trilobite
    Giant Scorpion
    Giant Scorpion

    Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Reptiles

    The main focus of the museum is dinosaurs, with this section being the largest. Life-size recreations of pterodactyls fly overhead as you go up the stairs. Displays of life size models and skeletons follow, including T-Rex and carnotaurus. Many of these are surrounded by dioramas, giving more context to the display, rather than simply sitting on a display stand.

    The stegosaurus display includes a side-by-side comparison of the skeleton and recreated model. This is great because many museums show only one or the other and not both.

    Pteranodon
    Pteranodon
    Carnotaurus
    Carnotaurus
    Tyrannosaurus National Dinosaur Museum
    Tyrannosaurus Rex
    Stegosaurus skeleton National Dinosaur Museum
    Stegosaurus skeleton
    Stegosaurus reconstruction National Dinosaur Museum
    Stegosaurus reconstruction

    The Rise of Mammals

    Following the dinosaurs, displays of mammals include a giant sloth, sabre tooth tiger and a mammoth skeleton. It was surprising to see how large the sloth was, having never seen one of these before.

    Giant Sloth
    Giant Sloth
    Mammoth and Geodes
    Mammoth and Geodes

    Evolution of Mankind

    The final fossil section traced the evolution of our own species from “Lucy” and homo habilis to the Neanderthals.

    Australopithecus Afarensis "Lucy" National Dinosaur Museum
    Australopithecus Afarensis “Lucy”
    Human Evolution
    Human Evolution
    Human Evolution National Dinosaur Museum
    Human Evolution

    Geodes

    The final area of the museum contains amethyst geodes. These are huge, making a great display around the mammoth.

    A gift shop sells all sorts of dinosaur related merchandise, including models, fridge magnets and books. Especially interesting, were the fossils and gemstones for sale.

    So, if you have an interest in dinosaurs, or have kids, this is a great visit. As Australia does not have many dinosaur fossils of its own (most are in Queensland), many are casts, but they are still a great display.

    Amethyst Geode
    Amethyst Geode

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

  • Wombeyan Caves

    Wombeyan Caves

    Wombeyan Caves

    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.

    Wombeyan Caves
    Entrance to the Wollondilly Cave
    Wombeyan Caves
    Fig Tree Cave Formation
    Wombeyan Caves
    Stairs Leading Down into the Wollondilly Cave
    Wombeyan Caves
    Wollondilly Cave
    Wombeyan Caves
    Rimstone Pool Formations in the Wollondilly Cave
    Wombeyan Caves
    Formations 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 Cave
    Fig Tree Cave
    Formations in Fig Tree Cave
    Formations in Fig Tree Cave
    Fig Tree Cave
    Fig Tree Cave
    Wombeyan Creek Flowing Through Fig Tree Cave
    Wombeyan Creek Flowing Through Fig Tree Cave
    Fig Tree Cave
    Fig Tree Cave
    Wombeyan Creek Flowing into Fig Tree Cave
    Wombeyan Creek Flowing into Fig Tree Cave
    Wombeyan Creek Going into Fig Tree Cave
    Wombeyan Creek Going into Fig Tree Cave
    Exit Area of Fig Tree Cave
    Exit 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.

    Wombeyan Creek
    Wombeyan Creek
    Eastern Grey Kangaroo
    Eastern Grey Kangaroo
    Eastern Grey Kangaroo
    Eastern Grey Kangaroo
    LLamas
    LLamas

    What Did We Think of the Wombeyan Caves?

    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.

    Our photos are available for purchase on