The Somerville Collection is in the custodianship of the Australian Museum with the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum managed by Bathurst Regional Council supported by the Somerville Collection Company
About the Australian Museum
The Australian Museum (AM) was founded in 1827 and is the nation’s first museum. It is internationally recognised as a natural science and culture institution focused on Australia and the Pacific. As custodian of more than 21.9 million objects and specimens, the AM is uniquely positioned to provide a greater understanding of the region through its scientific research, exhibitions and public and education programs. Through the Australian Museum Research Institute (AMRI), the AM also has a leading role in conserving Australia’s biodiversity through understanding the environmental impacts of climate change, potential biosecurity threats and invasive species. To find out more, visit: australianmuseum.net.au
The Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum permanently houses the Somerville Collection of fossils and minerals – the lifetime work of Warren Somerville AM. The collection contains over 5,000 objects and features some of the finest and rarest specimens of mineral crystals and fossils from around the world.
Fancy a face to face with a T.rex? There are a number of dinosaur skeletons on display, but the most popular is the 10½ metre long and 4½ metre high Tyrannosaurus rex.
The home of the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum is a beautiful 1876 public school building. It underwent major refurbishment for its stunning fit-out, and has quite a history of its own.
It stands on the execution site of the notorious bushrangers the Ribbon Gang, and is also reportedly haunted by the ghost of the former headmaster, from its days as the Bathurst Public School building.
See the exquisite detail of the Green River shale fish fossils.
Have you ever seen an opalised fossil, or a gecko preserved in amber? Here is Australia’s largest collection of fossils in amber, even fossil dinosaur eggs.
Learn more about the formation of rocks and minerals, mineral locations, crystal structure and the use of minerals in our everyday lives.
Browse our museum shop full of a wide variety of quality minerals and fossil specimens, and educational toys including Dinosaur, Earth history and Science products.
Learn more about the man behind the Somerville Collection. Warren Somerville AM found his first fossil specimen at Borenore near Orange when he was just nine years old.
Stunning 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.
The Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum has received national recognition as a centre of excellence in the tourism, cultural and education industries and has won numerous local, state and national awards.
Museums Bathurst is a suite of public museums managed by Bathurst Regional Council, located on Wiradjuri Country. Museums Bathurst acknowledges the Wiradjuri People as the Traditional Custodians of the land in the Bathurst Region. We pay respect to Elders, past, present, and emerging and acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who live, work and play in the Bathurst region.
