Just after Easter we decided to take a road trip across the Blue Mountains and base ourselves in Bathurst for a few days. Bathurst is said to be the oldest inland settlement in Australia and has a rich history built upon Gold. When preparing our Bucket List for our adventures the kids kept asking if we could visit one particular place. It quickly became the hot favourite attraction of choice and we made sure we visited on the day of our arrival.
Housed in the original grounds of Bathurst Public School, The Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum : Home of the Somerville Collection is an international marvel attracting visitors from all over the world who want to see some of the 2000 fossil and mineral specimens on exhibitions across the two galleries housed on location. This includes a ten metre long Tyrannosaurus Rex – the only one in Australia which is on display.
I was a little disappointed that I seemed to be the only one in my family who appreciated the mineral gallery. Professor Warren Somerville AM, who donated the collection, has amassed a glorious collection of minerals that includes 2,000 million years old garnets! There were even huge thunder eggs. The kids and T raced through this part of the museum making a bee line straight for the Fossil gallery. I took my time to study each cabinet and learn about some of the rare minerals I knew little about.
The Fossil Gallery is pretty amazing. Once you get over the size of the Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton you will note that this gallery also boasts some of the oldest fossils of early forms of life, dinosaur eggs, unique opalised fossils, fossils in amber and a whole bounty of other delights. The kids can try their skill at taking fossil rubbings as well as some other dinosaur activities.
So what did the kids think? While our visit only lasted for an hour or so they did leave with a richer understanding of how fossils are created, discovered and cleaned. They were shocked by how big the juvenile T-Rex and even compared its head size to that of a large cow. I think the visit was a success and would visit again if we return to Bathurst in the future.
You will find the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum on Howick Street, Bathurst. If you are travelling by car to the museum you will note that parking at the front is for a mere hour. Don’t fret, there is parking behind the museum for guests. The museum is open daily from 10.00 am – 4.00 pm Monday – Saturday and 10.00 am – 2.00 pm Sunday. A family ticket currently costs $28.00.
