The Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum permanently houses the Somerville Collection of fossils and minerals – the lifetime work of Warren Somerville AM – and features some of the finest and rarest specimens of mineral crystals and fossils from around the world.
The internationally renowned collection contains over 5,000 objects and is presented together to give a stronger understanding of the development of life on Earth.
This unique resource has quite literally been billions of years in the making. Explore the natural history of our planet, travel through time in our unique fossil and mineral galleries and experience the wonder of ancient specimens that have been uncovered from deep within the Earth.
Explore the use of critical minerals and understand how vital they are to our modern world.
This exhibition is one-of-a-kind in Australia at the moment, and focuses on the role of critical minerals in the transition to renewable energy as well as their everyday use in industry and throughout our households.
The exhibition was prepared in consultation with the Australian Museum and Dr Malte Ebach, Honorary Associate Professor at UNSW.
‘The Rise of Oxygen’ showcase display is a new addition to the Fossil Gallery.
These tiny organisms, called cyanobacteria, transformed our planet. Through photosynthesis, they released oxygen into the atmosphere for the very first time — forever changing Earth’s environment.
Billions of years ago, these microscopic organisms released oxygen through photosynthesis, transforming our atmosphere. That oxygen reacted with iron in ancient oceans, creating the layered rocks we call banded iron formations. Stromatolites are the fossilised remains of these ancient colonies—evidence of life reshaping our planet.
The specimens in the Mineral Gallery of the Somerville Collection come from mine sites around the world, making them historically significant and irreplaceable heritage items.
The gallery displays a large diversity of minerals and are of exceptional crystal perfection, including rare formations, crystallised gold, raw gemstones and delicate uranium.
The Fossil Gallery includes specimens from every major stage of life on Earth.
The centrepiece is a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, and also includes other dinosaur skeletons and fossils, a sabre tooth cat skull, Australia’s largest collection of fossils in amber, fossil dinosaur eggs, some of the oldest fossils of early forms of life, and a large collection of Australia’s unique opalised fossils.
The museum is a fun and educational destination for families to explore the natural history of our planet.
Study fossils in amber with a magnifying glass, use the microscope to see the details of specimens and discover what’s in the drawers of the fossil and mineral cabinets.
From early years to higher education, we offer opportunities for programs of exploration and discussion to enhance students’ engagement with our collections.
Click here to learn more about our educational programs for all stages.
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.
