Australian Museum
Audio Tour
200 Treasures of the Australian Museum
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The magnificently restored Westpac Long Gallery showcases 100 treasures of the Australian Museum alongside the stories of 100 of Australia’s most-influential people.
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1
Westpac Long Gallery
Discover the stories behind 100 treasures of the Australian Museum.
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2
Australia's first bank note and Maitland Bar Gold Nugget
The foundation of the Australian currency and a priceless large gold nugget.
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3
Krefft's chair
Chair of Gerard Krefft, Museum Curator, zoologist and a central figure in Australian science in the 19th century .
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4
Platypus skin rug
Made from the skins of 75 platypuses, this rug reminds us of a time when many native animals were unprotected and considered pests.
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5
Skeleton of 'Sir Hercules' and a rider
Affectionately known as the 'Bone Ranger', this specimen highlights the importance of horses and horsemanship in Australian history.
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6
Rainforest shields
The vibrant indigenous shields from the rainforests of far north Queensland were created as tools for survival.
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7
Morning star pole
Pointing heavenwards in the centre of this showcase is a morning star pole from Elcho Island in the Northern Territory.
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8
Crocodile turtle mask
This striking and rare mask from the Torres Strait Islands were worn by male dancers in funerary rites and other important ceremonies.
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9
Roro feather headdress
This elaborate headdress made by the Roro people from the highlands of Papua New Guinea is a vibrant example of the connection between people and environment.
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10
Bird-shaped pestle
Integral to the rise of agriculture in Papua New Guinea, this ancient stone pounding tool tells of one of the oldest histories of food production in the world.
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11
Upe hats
The sacred hats of the Papua New Guinea Buka Island hold many secrets of lost practices and cultural knowledge.
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12
Malagan figures
Showcasing a rich history of the New Ireland people, these ritualistic figures honour a person's memory after their death.
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13
Mother and child
A enigmatic figure of a mother and child from the Solomon Islands representing a world in profound transition.
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14
Kiribati armour
Once used in ritualised battles to settle disputes, the Kiribati armour reveals a fascinating history.
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15
Cook's Hawaiian cape
On his final voyage to Hawaii, this magnificent cape was presented to Captain James Cook by Ali’i (chief) Kalani‘ōpu‘u.
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16
Figure of Arjuna
A ritualistic carved wooden piece representing the Hindu God Arjuna from South East Asia.
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17
Zulu shields
Collected during the Anglo-Zulu wars, these impressive shields are made from the hides of Native Nguni cattle.
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18
Theban mummy & coffin
Excavated from a tomb in Thebes, this Egyptian mummy and coffin has revealed some surprises with the aid of new technologies.
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19
Raven head mask
Masks made by Canada’s First Nations people showing spirit beings in animal forms.
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20
Mawson's sledge
The Australasian Antarctic Expedition led by geologist Sir Douglas Mawson used wooden sledges like this across Antarctica's icy surface.
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21
Opalised pliosaur
'Eric' the pilosaur swam in a vast inland sea during the Cretaceous period, 110 million years ago.
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22
Canowindra fish fossils
Uncovered at Canowindra in 1955, these spectacularly preserved fish fossils depict ancient ecosystems frozen in time.
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