Located on Bridge St, not far from Circular Quay, the Museum of Sydney focuses on the history of the city with an emphasis on the impact white settlement had and still has on Aboriginal People.
Bust of Captain Arthur Phillip, commander of the First Fleet and the First Governor of Australia
Getting There
As with many attractions in Sydney, public transport is the easiest and cheapest way to travel. We caught the Light Rail from Central Station, getting off the Bridge Street stop. From here, it was an easy 5-minute walk to the museum.
Entry
Entry was free with staff only requesting a post code to see where visitors were from.
Exhibits
Edge of Trees
Located in the museum’s forecourt, these 29 pillars represent 29 clans from the Sydney area.
Edge of Trees
The First Fleet
The first display we saw was a series of scale models of the first fleet. This impressive display had each ship represented along with a short description and history. Many of the names of these ships are commemorated in Royal Australian Navy ships and Sydney Harbour ferries.
Model ships of the First FleetHMS Sirius Flagship of the First Fleet
Government House
A model of the original Government House shows how the site appeared in the 1780s. This building was the centre of colonial administration for 57 years until replaced by the new Government House.
Located in the museum’s forecourt on Bridge Street, a glass-fronted display provides a view of subterranean remains of the first Government House. Inside the museum, near the gift shop, additional glass panels in the floor provide glimpses of archaeological remains, including foundations and drains.
Model of the First Government HouseModel of the First Government House
Special Exhibition: The Sydney Opera House
The top floor of the Museum houses rotating displays, often with an aboriginal theme. During our visit, the Sydney Opera House’ 50th anniversary was being celebrated. As a result, there was a large exhibition detailing its history.
This exhibit only runs until 12 November 2023, when it will be replaced by a new series of displays.
Lego Model of the Opera HouseWoven Model of the Opera HousePosters of shows held at the Sydney Opera HouseCostume worn by Dame Joan Sutherland in Lucrezia Borgia
It’s amazing what you can find close to home that you didn’t know existed! It’s even on the local council website, but we somehow failed to see it. About 25 minutes down the Putty Road from Singleton, the Baiame Cave at Milbrodale contains a significant example of Aboriginal art.
Significance
Connected to other sacred sites in the region, the cave and its artwork are culturally significant to the local Wonnarua people. Baiame is the creator and protector of the local people. In the painting he has widespread, larger than life arms. This signifies his status as protector of the local people. His eyes are also overly large, because he was all seeing and all knowing.
The choice of this particular cave is significant because it allows Baiame to look over the land of the Wonnarua. It also allows the local and visiting people to view the creator.
Getting There
Located on private property, access is via a dirt track just off Welshs Road. Although the property is privately owned, you are allowed access to the cave, but be respectful and remember no camping is allowed here. On our visit, a creek crossing just off the road, had been washed out. This meant we couldn’t drive all the way in, but it was only a short flat walk in. A sign at an intersection points in the direction to go.
The cave is located in the small escarpment to the left of the road, with a small path leading up. In the cave, a raised steel mesh platform provides a nice stable area to stand on and view the painting. Do not step off the platform, so as not to damage the cave. Remember the cave is heritage listed and protected.
The Painting
The painting depicts Baiame with arms outstretched looking over the river valley. Also visible are hand and arm stencils, representing the people who cared for and maintained the cave. There are also axe and boomerang stencil around the main figure.
What Did We Think?
This was a great place to visit, not only was it good to see, but we also learnt something else about the local Wonnarua people. The current access may be difficult for people with mobility issues, because you need to climb over the broken river crossing, but otherwise the track is flat and easy to walk.
Direction sign to the caveTrack to the caveTurn off main track here. The cave is in the hillsSteps up to the caveBaiame CaveThe Baiame Cave Painting Baiame Cave Painting
Located near Hyde Park in the centre of Sydney, the Australian Museum is a wonderful place to spend a few hours wandering around the amazing displays. Designed by colonial architect Mortimer Lewis, the current building opening in 1857, although the museum’s collection dates back to 1827.
An extensive refurbishment in 2021 has resulted in updated and refreshed exhibits, bringing the museum into the 21st century.
Getting There
The Domain carpark is the closest secure parking spot to the museum, being only a ten-minute walk away.
Using Sydney’s public transport system is easy, with the Museum, St James and Town Hall train stations all within a ten-minute walk of the museum. Bus stops along Elizabeth Street, next to Hyde Park are another great option to get there.
What to See
Ground Level
200 Treasures
Located on the ground floor the 200 Treasures represent people and objects, that tell stories about Australia and the world.
The displays range from Zulu shields and Pacific Island sculptures, to a skeleton man on a skeleton horse.
Skeleton Man on a Horse
Zulu Shields in Treasures of the Museum
Australian Museum Sydney
First Nations
The First Nations display is part of the recent Museum refurbishment, giving an excellent overview of indigenous Australians before colonisation.
We loved the range of boomerangs, shields and spears on display, along with their descriptions on information panels.
Wild Planet
In Wild Planet, animals from Australia and around the world are on display. Two huge elephant skeletons show the size of these animals. Overhead, an even bigger sperm whale skeleton looks down from the ceiling.
Over 400 animals are displayed here, including extinct and endangered species. This was a great place to learn about the animals and their habitats. Not only do the displays details the animals, but also explain how they are impacted by human activity.
Cassowary
Giraffe and Zebra
Giraffe
Adult and Juvenile Elephant Skeletons
Level 2
Birds of Australia
Australian birds have a whole section to themselves because of their vast numbers and beauty. The displays vary from the giant emu and Cassowary to seabirds and colourful parrots. The parrot display shows the huge range of colours to be found in these birds.
These displays are a great opportunity for people who don’t leave the city to see the colour of the outback.
King Parrot
Surviving Australia
Specialising in the creatures of Australia, this section takes you from ancient megafauna to modern spiders and snakes.
A model of an ancient diprotodon let you see how massive these giant wombat-like creatures were. Nearby the extinct Thylacine, or Tasmanian Tiger exhibit explains how the mammal went extinct on mainland Australia. The introduction of the dingo outcompeted them for food, driving them to extinction. Surviving until the 1930s in Tasmania, hunting by farmers caused them to die out there too.
An excellent stop for tourists or locals who want to see some of Australia’s more dangerous animals. Displays of dangerous snakes, spiders and saltwater crocodile allow you to see them up close, but in complete safety.
Diprotodon
Thylacine or Tasmanian Tiger
Pacific Spirit
Pacific Spirit celebrates the culture of the Pacific Islands. Wonderful exhibits showcase the unique culture of these people, with masks, headgear, ceremonial poles and jewellery.
Dinosaurs
Having loved dinosaurs since being a kid this was one of my favourite exhibits. From T-Rex and velociraptors, there are many dinosaurs on display. One of Australia’s first discovered specimens is on display, muttaburrasaurus. Prior to its discovery in Queensland (near the town of Muttaburra!), very few dinosaur traces were found in Australia.
Muttaburrasaurus
Muttaburrasaurus Skeleton
The Hobbit Homo Floresiencis
The discovery of homo floresiencis on the Indonesian Island of Flores caused a huge stir in the world of archaeology, because of its diminutive stature. Controversy about its place in the human family tree still rages in the scientific community. The museum has a small case displaying the hobbit as it has been called. This is not an easy display to find, because it is hidden away under a staircase, going up from the Wild Planet gallery.
Homo Floresiensis
Mineralogy
The mineralogy collection is the oldest rock and mineral collection in Australia, and the mineral component is the largest of any Australian collection. The meteorite collection is the oldest and second largest in the country. With nearly 80,000 specimens, only a few can be on display, however, these are some of the best available.
Australian Christmas Beetles
Circle Stone Money
Refreshments
Two eating areas provide a chance to re-fuel while at the museum. A family friendly kiosk on level 2 is great for a quick snack or light meal. The roof-top restaurant has views over Hyde Park and Sydney Harbour while you dine.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
