Destination's Journey

Tag: Australia

  • Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra

    Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra

    Discover Ancient Egypt At The National Museum of Australia in Canberra

    On display until 8 September 2024 at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra, Discover Ancient Egypt displays fascinating artifacts from the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden).

    What’s on Display

    Entering the museum, you are greeting by a statue of Anubis, the Egyptian god of funerary rites, protector of graves, and guide to the underworld. From here, the displays take you through the lives of ancient Egyptians, with an emphasis on the funerary process.

    Statue of Anubis at the Entrance to the Australian Museum Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra
    Statue of Anubis at the Entrance to the Australian Museum

    Stelae

    Used for a variety of purposes, stelae are stone or wooden slabs containing information. Uses included burial markers placed outside tombs, monuments that commemorated special events, the marking of boundaries or made offerings to gods. As such they provide a great inside to the thinking of the Egyptians.

    Funerary stela of Hor, Late period 26th Dynasty c.664-525 BCE
    Funerary stela of Hor, Late period 26th Dynasty c.664-525 BCE
    Limestone offering stela of Khu and his family, Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty, c.1878-1843 BCE
    Limestone offering stela of Khu and his family, Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty, c.1878-1843 BCE
    Stela of Pamaaf, showing Pamaaf making an offering to Re-Horakhty and a figure of Ptah-Sokar-Osiris Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra
    Stela of Pamaaf, showing Pamaaf making an offering to Re-Horakhty and a figure of Ptah-Sokar-Osiris
    Limestone offering stela, 12th Dynasty, c.2080-1940 BCE Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra
    Limestone offering stela, 12th Dynasty, c.2080-1940 BCE

    Sarcophagi and Coffins

    This was one of the largest parts of the display, with 10 coffins on display. The detail of the decorations used on them really has to be seen to be appreciated. Not only are the outsides covered, but the interior as well.

    Also in this section, were several mummies. To demonstrate the latest scientific techniques used an interactive display allowed us to see what a 3D scan revealed. This meant that the interior and composition of the mummy could be determined without unwrapping and damaging the body inside.

    Cartonnage of Nehemsu, 22 Dynasty, 943-746 BCE
    Cartonnage of Nehemsu, 22 Dynasty, 943-746 BCE
    Inner coffin of Amenhotep - High Priest of Amun, 21st Dynasty 1076-944 BCE
    Inner coffin of Amenhotep – High Priest of Amun, 21st Dynasty 1076-944 BCE
    Detail of the Inner coffin of Amenhotep 1076-944 BCE Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra
    Detail of the Inner coffin of Amenhotep 1076-944 BCE
    Coffin of Haytemhat, Late Period 722-332 BCE
    Mummy cover of Khonsuhotep, Third Intermediate Period 1076-944 BCE
    Mummy cover of Khonsuhotep, Third Intermediate Period 1076-944 BCE
    Inner coffin of Khonsuhotep, Third Intermediate Period 1076-944 BCE
    Inner coffin of Khonsuhotep, Third Intermediate Period 1076-944 BCE
    Coffin of Haytemhat, Late Period, c.722-332 BCE Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra
    Coffin of Haytemhat, Late Period, c.722-332 BCE

    Canopic Jars

    During the mummification process, the internal organs and brain were removed. As these would be needed in the afterlife, they were stored in canopic jars. On display, were a series of jars, showing how the designed changed from square boxes, to stone jars.

    Canopic chest, Late Period, 722-322 BCE Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra
    Canopic chest, Late Period, 722-322 BCE
    Three canopic jars
    Three canopic jars

    Burial Goods

    To ensure the dead enjoyed the afterlife, the tombs contained objects they would need. This could be as simple as a model of a boat, or a complex diorama showing the making of bread and the brewing of beer, to ensure that these were is plentiful supply.

    Winged scarab, representing the rising sun
    Winged scarab, representing the rising sun
    Tomb statue of Hormin 19th Dynasty, 1290-1213 BCE
    Tomb statue of Hormin 19th Dynasty, 1290-1213 BCE
    Pyramidion of Pauty, New Kingdom 1539-1077 BCE
    Pyramidion of Pauty, New Kingdom 1539-1077 BCE
    Ship model 722-322 BCE
    Ship model 722-322 BCE
    Model Granary, Middle Kingdom 1980-1760 BCE Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra
    Model Granary, Middle Kingdom 1980-1760 BCE

    What Did We Think?

    This was a fantastic exhibition and highly recommended to anyone who likes archaeology or ancient history. Laid out with plenty of detailed descriptions, the displays are amazing. If you’re in Canberra while it’s on, it’s a great way to see Egyptian artifacts without leaving the country.

    Replica of the Rosetta Stone
    Replica of the Rosetta Stone

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  • Gan Gan Lookout Port Stephens

    Gan Gan Lookout Port Stephens

    Gan Gan Lookout Port Stephens

    Located on the Tomaree Peninsula, Gan Gan Lookout gives amazing views over Nelson Bay, Tomaree National Park and the Stockton Sand Dunes. There are also great views over the Katich River and out to both Tomaree and Yacaaba Headlands.

    Getting there is only a five- minute drive from Nelson Bay where a narrow track takes you to the lookout. At the top of the track, is a small car park. To the right of the car park, a small viewing platform gives views towards Stockton Sand Dunes. The dunes are visible in the distance surrounded by Australian coastal forest.

    To the left of the car park, a track leads to the main viewing area with excellent views over the surrounding area. Binoculars mounted at both platforms (which need to be paid for to use), let you get a better view of distant objects.

    Because of its elevation, several large communication towers are also here. Although not most people’s idea of an attraction, there are still interesting because of the numerous transmitters and receivers covering them.

    Looking towards Tomaree and Yacaaba Headlands
    Looking towards Tomaree and Yacaaba Headlands
    View towards the Stockton Sand Dunes Gan Gan Lookout
    View towards the Stockton Sand Dunes
    View towards the Stockton Sand Dunes
    View towards the Stockton Sand Dunes
    Telecommunications Tower on Gan Gan Lookout
    Telecommunications Tower on Gan Gan Lookout

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

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  • Parliament House New South Wales

    Parliament House New South Wales

    Parliament House New South Wales

    Completed in 1816 Parliament House in Sydney houses the Government of the state of New South Wales Australia. Originally a hospital, the central section of the façade is a two story Georgian building. When built, no funds were available to Governor Macquarie so he arranged funding via the importation of 60,000 gallons of rum licensed to a group of merchants. In return for the license, they built the hospital.

    From 1829, the Legislature occupied the building, which had primarily been used as the residence of the chief surgeon. As the size of the colony of New South Wales expanded, so did the number of parliamentary representatives. As a result, north and south extensions were made for the old Legislative Council (now Legislative Assembly) Chamber in 1843 and the current Legislative Council Chamber in 1856.

    Since then numerous additions and modifications have been made to the building. Despite many plans over the years, it remains one of the least grand parliament buildings in Australia, primarily due to its original design as a hospital.

    Getting There

    Situated in the centre of the Sydney CBD means that getting to Parliament House is quite easy. Several buses stop nearby in Macquarie Street, while the closest station is Martin Place.

    We visited during Sydney is Open so access to otherwise closed areas was available. In addition, volunteers were stationed throughout the building answering questions and providing invites into the workings of State Government.

    Parliament House New South Wales
    Parliament of New South Wales
    Waiting room with busts of past parliamentarians Parliament House New South Wales
    Waiting room with busts of past parliamentarians
    Marble staircase
    Marble staircase

    Legislative Assembly

    Being modelled on the British Westminster System, the Legislative Assembly is the lower house of government and corresponds to the House of Commons, (or the Australian Federal Government House of Representatives). As such, the colour of the carpet and seats is green.

    This chamber of parliament debates legislation before it is sent to the Legislative Council and then the Governor for approval. The Governor is the British Monarch’s representative and is appointed by the NSW Parliament.

    Legislative Assembly Parliament House New South Wales
    Legislative Assembly
    Legislative Assembly
    Legislative Assembly
    The mace of the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales
    The mace of the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales

    Legislative Council

    The upper house of the NSW Parliament is the Legislative Council, whose primary colour is red, following the tradition of the British House of Lords.

    Legislation passed by the lower house is debated here and either retired to the Legislative Assembly or forwarded to the NSW Governor if approved.

    Legislative Council Parliament House New South Wales
    Legislative Council
    Legislative Council
    Legislative Council
    Usher of the Black Rod
    Usher of the Black Rod

    The Library – Now the Jubilee Room

    Although now used for meetings and functions, the Jubilee Room holds a significant collection of historical records, along with the only state government archive.

    In addition to the amazing collection of books on the shelves, the stained glass ceiling is amazing.

    Parliamentary Library
    Parliamentary Library
    Stain-glass ceiling of the Parliamentary Library
    Stain-glass ceiling of the Parliamentary Library

    Fountain Courtyard

    The Fountain Courtyard is one of the most recent additions to Parliament House, having been added in 1983. Located around the fountain on the surrounding walls is part of the parliamentary art collection as well as temporary displays. A significant portion of the display is by indigenous artists, forming the Reconciliation Wall.

    Fountain Court
    Fountain Court
    Indiginous Art on Reconciliation Wall in Fountain Court
    Indiginous Art on Reconciliation Wall in Fountain Court
    Reconciliation Wall in Fountain Court
    Reconciliation Wall in Fountain Court
    Indiginous Art on Reconciliation Wall in Fountain Court
    Indiginous Art on Reconciliation Wall in Fountain Court

    What Did We Think?

    This was a great visit because it was a good way to learn about the history of government in NSW as well as seeing both Chambers of Parliament. If you want to see how our government works, there is no better place to visit.

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