Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum – home of the Somerville Collection –  Bathurst

Address: Open 6 days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday)  from 9am to 4.30pm. Closed Wednesday.
Open:  9am – 4.30pm
Admission:  $15 Adult, $10 Concession, $7 Child,  under school age: free,  $35 Family (2 adults and school age children)
Contact:  02 63315511
Web:  http://www.somervillecollection.com.au

Situated in the heart of Bathurst, the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum is the home of the internationally renowned Somerville Collection. It is housed in the 1876 Public School building and features some of the finest and rarest examples of minerals from around the world and scientifically significant fossils from Australia.

The Somerville Collection is the lifetime work of Warren Somerville AM and one of the most spectacular collections in the world. The specimens currently on display in the Museum represent about one quarter of the total Collection.

Highlights from the mineral collection include crystals from over 100 Australian mine sites, spectacular and significant mineral specimens from around the world as well as diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds and other gems.

Features of the fossil collection include a T. rex skeleton,  dinosaur eggs, Australia’s largest collection of fossils in amber, some of the oldest fossils of early forms of life, and a large collection of Australia’s unique opalised fossils.

The Museum also has a temporary exhibition and a museum shop with a wide variety of dinosaur, Earth history and science products.

The Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum is the home of the internationally renowned Somerville Collection. It is housed in the 1876 Public School building which underwent major refurbishment before being fitted out with stunningly beautiful exhibitions.

The Museum also has a temporary exhibition space which has a changing program of travelling and temporary exhibitions and a museum shop with a wide variety of dinosaur, Earth history and science products.