Archives: Discovery Centres

Willie Creek Pearl Farm tours give visitors an insight into the production of cultured pearls from South Sea pearl oysters (Pinctada maxima). Pearling is worth over $200 million to the Western Australian economy and has been a part of life in Broome since the 1880s. As well as hearing about how the oysters are harvested and cultivated,…

The Broome Bird Observatory is on the northern shore of Roebuck Bay, about 25 km east of the township. The site is ideal for watching and recording the comings and goings of hundreds of thousands of migratory birds. The region is home to over 300 species of birds at different times of the year. In…

Tourists have been coming to Summerland Peninsula on the southwest corner of Phillip Island to see little penguins (Eudyptula minor) since the 1920s. At sunset every night the penguins arrive back onshore after spending the day fishing at sea. The beachfront viewing area is set up with tiered seating and lights, and visitors can see penguins in…

The interpretive centre has 20 exhibits, displays and videos about coal: its past, present and future. The two formal gardens behind the interpretive centre, the Timeless Garden and the Japanese Garden, are both free for visitors to enjoy. When mine tours are available visitors can see a 20 story high dragline, giant mine trucks and coal processing…

Monkey Mia is famous for the pod of dolphins that have come to shore each day to be fed for the past 50 years. The Visitors Centre has displays about the dolphins and other wildlife, a theatrette and there are staff on hand to answer questions. Dolphin feeding occurs each day and some visitors are…

Cape Range National Park is on the northwest corner of Australia. The limestone range is about 60 km long and is flanked by Ningaloo Reef and the Ningaloo Marine Park. The Milyering Visitor Centre is open daily and has informative displays, videos, a library and a children’s activity area. Visitors to the park can see turtle rookeries, snorkle over coral,…

The Museum of Human Disease showcases a collection of over 1400 human tissue specimens that show changes to the body due to disease. This collection is used to teach UNSW medicine and medical science students about pathology, but the museum also hosts high school excursions and is open to members of the public to come…

Tennant Creek was the site of Australia’s last gold rush in the 1930s. Battery Hill is on the eastern edge of the town and had a mine and ore processing plant (a 10 head stamp battery). There are guided tours of both the underground mine and the stamp battery. Visitors can try their luck panning for gold, and keep any gold…

Tower Hill is a volcanic formation close to the coast between Warrnambool and Port Fairy. It was first sighted by Europeans in 1802: by Captain Baudin on the French ship Geographe and also by Matthew Flinders on the HMS Investigator. The area was used for grazing cattle, growing crops and even for quarrying through the second…

The Museum is housed in the Old Bond Store, and the minerals on display were collected in the local area. The collection of over 200 mineral samples includes a 42 kg silver nugget. Also on display is the Silver Tree, an 8 kg silver epergne (table centrepiece) owned by Charles Rasp, who held the first mining lease at Broken Hill….