One of our great finds during a recent road trip to Canberra was Small Acres Cyder at Borenore near Orange. This small, family-owned business has won a huge number of awards for their cider, something we learned while we were there.
Surrounded by their own orchards, the tasting room is in a beautiful setting. Only knowing about commercial cider, it was interesting to discover the different types and the history behind each. As well as the usual sparkling apple cider, there was still (non-bubbly) apple cider, pear, and fortified varieties. Non-alcoholic cider in apple, pear and cherry was also available to taste.
The tasting wasn’t rushed, and our host was very helpful and informative. We decided on the Poire pear cider and purchased a carton before continuing on to Orange. The owners also operate an Air-BNB, so you can spend the night surrounded by orchards.
Driving north from Canberra, our trip took us through the small New South Wales town of Canowindra. Interestingly, the town has a museum dedicated to the Age of Fishes.
Fossils were first found in 1955 when roadworks uncovered a slab of rock with interesting impressions. This was later brought to the attention of the Australian Museum in Sydney. In 1993, a dig uncovered 70 tonnes of fossils containing over 3,000 fish. Dated to the Devonian period, the fossils are over 360 million years old.
The site is significant not only for the number of fish, but that they all died at the same time. It appears that a dry spell caused all of the fish to die, preserving the different species and their relative abundance. This is important because usually with the discovery of single specimens, it’s relation and abundance to other species is difficult to determine.
The Age of Fishes Museum
The skull of a giant armoured fish greets you on entering the museum. The modern museum building displays the best of the recovered fossils. Information boards explain the process of recovering and evaluating them along with their significance.
The condition of many of the fossils are not perfect, reflecting the environment they were preserved in. But this isn’t a museum with perfect exhibits picked from the best available worldwide. It shows what happened locally and the scientific value far outweighs their appearance.
Stored in a huge shed next to the museum, the vast majority of the fossils await future study. One large door was open, so we could see fossils stored inside. The information at the museum indicates that many more remain buried at the dig site possibly for recovery at some time in the future.
We enjoyed our visit here and were pleased that we stopped.
Groenlandaspis SkullMuseum Display of lobe-finned fishSome of the Fish Fossils on DisplyFossil and reconstructionFish FossilsComparison of the size of the fossilsStorage shed full of fish fossils
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Driving through Bathurst on our way to the Newnes Industrial ruins we discovered the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum. Surprised to find such an important collection located in regional New South Wales.
The Somerville Collection
Containing over 5,000 objects, the collection was the life’s work of Warren Somerville AM. It features some of the finest and rarest specimens of mineral crystals and fossils from around the world. Somerville donated the collection to the Australian Museum to ensure it remained intact. It is now on permanent display in Bathurst not far from his residence in Orange.
The mineral collection contains samples from over 100 Australian mines as well as international locations. Somerville traded samples from Australia to obtain the best available overseas. The minerals on display are amazing with spectacular crystals and colours.
MalachiteCrocoite Calcite and Carbonate Mineral DisplayUranocircite – Uranium MineralAzurite with ChrysocollaScoleciteCrocoite
Fossils
Also part of the Somerville Collection, the fossil collection contains three dinosaurs, unique Australian opalized fossils and numerous examples from every stage of life on Earth. Dominating the collection is the Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton because of its size. You are able to get up close to the display, because a small mezzanine floor is at T-Rex skull height.
The most unique fossils there are two plesiosaurs because their bones have been opalized. This is very unusual and was great to see.
Crinoid FossilFish FossilsAmmonitesAmmonites CollectionTrilobite FossilOpalized Plesiosaur SkeletonTyrannosaurus Rex SkeletonAlbertosaurus SkeletonTyrannosaurus Rex Skull
Albert Chapman Collection
Temporarily housed in Bathurst while the Australian Museum in Sydney is refurbished, the Albert Chapman Collection is a great addition to the Sommerville Collection. Considered one of the top ten collections in the world, it was purchased by the NSW Government in 1988.
Not only are there minerals from many Australian mines, but many important international specimens are included.
It was great to be able to see the collection in Bathurst, but will be even better when housed in its new display at the Australian Museum.
MalachiteRhodochrosite Display
What Did We Think Of the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum ?
A great place to see two world-class collections, especially if you are interested in geology. Even if you just want to marvel at how some of the crystals could have formed, it’s worth going to. Of course, the T-Rex and dinosaur skeletons are a big drawcard and really make the visit interesting.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
