TOP-10 must-visit unusual museums, fascinating collection

Who would have thought an umbrella shop is now an instagram favourite. Then there is a museum dedicated to whales as an epitaph to the nineteenth century slaughter of whales. A family favourite destination will be the museum collection focused on surfing culture with an attached gift shop. Perhaps a mini surfboard for anyone as a key ring for a Christmas present.

You guessed that was what it was all about approaching the facade of the building shaped as a 35mm camera.

On your way to Kalgoorlie, Western Australia introduced the family to the world where the photograph took 10 minutes of motionless study to snap the photo. No wonder everyone looked so wooden. Boredom set in waiting for the focus. The world before smartphones is explained.

And you thought the Adelaide HIlls was just about scenery and wine tours. Hidden in the hills is Birdsville, home of the National Motor Museum. A mecca for car enthusiasts and all things motor vehicle.

Look in the rearview mirror at where, what and why the car is designed the way it is. There is a particular attention to the Holden, an original Aussie on wheels.

Launceston is home to the National Trust Old Umbrella Shop as the Trust states, “A rare glimpse into Tasmania’s retail heritage” Launceston should be on everyone’s bucket list for a chance to step into history and buy next year’s Christmas present. The shop is unchanged from the 1990’s when it opened, under the auspices of the Shott family who manufactured and repaired umbrellas in their premises.

The hand crafted umbrellas were made from native Tasmanian timber. Today the shop retails National Trust and Tasmanian artisan goods and, of course umbrellas. A section of the shop is devoted to displays of original umbrellas and early tourist souvenirs.

Bonegilla Migrant Experience Welcome Centre

One in twenty Australians have relatives, family or friends upon migrating to Australia, Bonegilla migrant centre was their first home. A must do experience for all visitors who remember the stories of grandparents or more recently parents arrival in Australia.

Your first port of call at the Bonegilla Migrant Experience is the Welcome Centre, where staff can get you started on your tour of Block 19 and provide information on the history of the site and the people who came through it. Between 1947 and 1971, over 300,000 migrants from more than 50 countries called Bonegilla their first ‘Aussie home.’ They arrived by train to Bonegilla railway siding where they were met, in the early days, by army personnel who provided transport, security and catering services.

The International Cricket Hall of Fame, Bowral Australia – including Bradman Museum of Cricket, is a cricket lovers must see destination and sports fans generally. There is undoubtedly a focus on Sir Donald Bradman yet the game of cricket should win new fans with the interactive exhibits and personal details about the game.

For younger members of the cricketing fan club the museum has announced We are excited to confirm that Shane Warne’s Baggy Green cap will be on permanent display at the Bradman Museum thanks to the generosity of the Commonwealth Bank. And, of course there is an excellent cricket themed gift shop.

Museum of Fire, lets scare the living daylights out of you with the visually graphic life sized displays of the horror of home fires. The burnt teddies and blackened curtains definitely drive home the message about fire safety. And the guys who put the fires out are not forgotten with a collection of fire helmets and regalia from the earliest days of firefighters to the present.

The extensive collection of fire trucks will gladden the heart of any motor fan. There are documents relating to district station records for researchers.

Surfing, beach culture is embedded in the DNA of Australian culture. It is fitting there is a museum dedicated to surf, surf boards and anything else that is part of this popular culture.

The museum shop is a must do stop to acquire the latest and best boards, swimmers and perhaps enrol in the local surf school. Check out the itinerary Great Ocean Road 1 week road trip to plan your next holiday.

Berndt Museum at The University of Western Australia (UWA) holds one of the most significant collections of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural material in the world, manifesting in art, objects, archives, manuscripts, film and sound and photographic collections.

The Berndt Museum manages the Ronald M and Catherine H Berndt Collections, as well as several hundred individual collections of objects that have been presented over the past 40 years. It also manages the Ronald M and Catherine H Berndt Archives, as well as countless individual archives belonging to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal benefactors alike.

Open for specific exhibitions.

Historic Whaling Station, Albany’s Historic Whaling Station &  Historic Whaling History Museum in Torndirrup, Western Australia. Explore an intact whale processing factory and whale chasing ship – fully restored and ready for you to discover.  The Cheynes Beach Whaling Company was the last whaling company to cease operations in Australia, closing in 1978. Opening in 1980 (known then as Whale World), it is now home to an interactive museum on whales and whaling.

Join a tour of the whaling factory with our passionate guides to gain an informative overview of the stations operations, and then discover the many additional exhibits at your own pace. Guided 40 minute tours run on the hour 10am to 3pm daily and are included with ticket entry. Allow at least 3 hours to enjoy all there is to see and do.

Open every day except Christmas

A museum where the exhibits are still in original nineteenth century upright glass cabinets. You are transported to the 1880’s and how the world was viewed then.

The museum is home to an extraordinary permanent collection that is historical in itself. The museum illustrates plants and their various uses. The building housing the museum is worth visiting in its own right.

Opening hours Wednesday to Sunday 10.00am to 4.00pm.

The journey is worth it.