Running until May 19, 2024, The Australian Museum is currently hosting an exhibition centred on the Egyptian Pharoah Ramses II. This was a great opportunity to see some of the most important artifacts from ancient Egypt, without having to leave Australia.
Featuring over 180 artifacts, this is a large exhibition that we found fascinating from beginning to end. Starting with a short video presentation covering Ramses II’s life, it then proceeds through a series of display rooms containing the exhibits. Each section also has videos playing describing the artefacts in more detail.
Additional displays covered other aspects of Ancient Egypt, with one of the most striking being Sennedjem’s outer coffin. An artist, he worked on the tombs of Ramses and his father Seti while working on his own coffin on his days off.
Amazing jewelry, mummies of cats and crocodiles, masks and weapons gave diversity to what was displayed. As usual, the last room was a gift shop, where books and souvenirs could be purchased.
Head of a Colossal Statue of Ramses IIUpper part of an obeliskStatue of Ramses II as a sphynxRamses II showing him capturing enemies: a Nubian, a Libyan and a Syrian.Queen Tuya, Ramses motherSennedjem’s outer coffin. An artist, he worked on the tombs of Ramses and his father SetiGilded wooden mask from the tomb of Amenemope a scribe and sageGirdle of Princess Merit (bottom) and collar of Princess Neferuptah (top)Mummified catCoffin of a cat mummyCoffin and coffinettes of Sheshonq IIGold funerary mask of General WendjebauendjedBust of Merenptah, Ramses successorOuter coffin lid of Pinudjem II’s wife Princess Nesikhonsu (left) and inner coffin lid of Pinudjem ICoffin of Ramses IIRamses II
Running until January 2023, the Sharks Exhibition at the Australian Museum is a fascinating display detailing everything you would want to know about sharks. From their origins and evolution, to their interactions with humans and the threats to their future, this is a very educational exhibition.
The Displays
Most of the displays have been taken from the museum’s collection, unlike other recent special exhibits which have been sourced internationally. All of the shark models were life-size, which was great because it lets us see how big they really are.
On entering, you are greeted with a prehistoric megalodon jaw, giving you an idea of the size of the largest shark to ever live. Next to this is a model of Helicoprion, with its unusual circular teeth that look like a circular saw.
Once past the prehistoric section, we got to see a range of modern sharks, from the grey nurse and Port Jackson sharks to the dangerous great white and tiger sharks. The largest model was an 8m whale shark (they can grow to 14m).
This was a fun and educational visit and families with kids should love it, with its interactive displays and realistic life-size models.
Megalodon JawHelicoprionHelicoprionTiger SharkPort Jackson SharkGrey Nurse SharkGreat White SharkWhale SharkScalloped Hammerhead SharkFrill Shark
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.
