Arriving at the museum we were greeted by a happy volunteer who gave us a map of the layout and told us to help ourselves to a tea or coffee.
With our travels we have found rural museums occupy old houses, so are quite small. Not the Gunnedah Rural Museum, it takes up several large industrial size sheds with its huge collection. Its extensive collection covers farm equipment like tractors and harvesters, cars, old children’s’ toys, old household goods and a Coca Cola bottle collection. There was even an old dentist’s chair. Walking around, you would think no one in Gunnedah had ever thrown anything out.
If you are interested in rural life in Australia from the late 1800s to late 1900s this is a fantastic place to visit. We particularly liked the tractor and car collection, as they were extensive and in good condition. The museum also has a model railway out the front for rail enthusiasts. We really enjoyed this laid back huge museum.
Old Telephone CollectionGas lightKitchen appliancesMeat Safe for keeping flies off meat before refrigerationRadios and TVChildren’s ToysLawn Mowers1957 Caterpillar D4 bulldozerTractorsTractorsSteam enginesSteam EngineTwo Volkswagen BeetlesThree ZephyrsPetrol PumpTelephone BoxCoca Cola Collection
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
An hour’s drive north of Canberra, or west from Goulburn, Yass is an historic New South Wales Town. We were passing through on a drive from Canberra to Orange so stopped to have a quick look around. Being early morning, parking was easy, and we found a spot outside the Banjo Patterson Park, named after the famous Australia poet.
Several coffee shops were open, so we ordered a coffee before setting off to explore the town. The main street, Comur St contains several well preserved nineteenth-century buildings. The Post Office looks great, but the courthouse looks like a small palace!
Yass Post OfficeYass CourthouseBanjo Patterson BustBanjo Patterson ParkTootsie Gallery and Café
Yass Railway Museum
The Yass Railway Museum is small with only a few trains and pieces of rolling stock on display. However, it’s a great place to visit, see some interesting trains, memorabilia and find out about the history of trains in Yass. You can find a full story of our visit here.
1307 Steam Locomotive
Abandoned Railway Bridge
We drove to the old railway bridge over the Yass River, parking at Joe O’Conner Park and walking down to the river. Disused since 1988 when the rail line closed it’s now a tourist attraction and heritage listed. It was interesting to walk around, especially as there are trees growing through parts of it.
Old Tramway BridgeThe Old Tramway BridgeOld Tramway Bridge
What Did We Think Of Yass?
Although this was only a quick visit, we enjoyed our time here. The lovely old buildings on the main street, abandoned bridge and railway museum are all worth stopping to see.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
