Australia has its fair share of unusual museums, from a museum dedicated to the history of childhood to a gallery of dollhouses.
Here’s our pick of the top ten most unusual museums in Australia. What museums would make your list?
1. Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Queensland
Stepping into Ripley’s Believe It or Not will take you a world away from the sand and surf of Surfers Paradise.
Ripley’s doesn’t call itself a museum, but rather an ‘odditorium’. It prides itself on a collection of strange exhibits, from a piece of the planet Mars to the smallest car in the world.
2. Museum of Fire, New South Wales
The name of this museum is slightly deceptive, as it’s not so much a museum about fire, as a museum about fire fighting.
You’ll find old fire engines, fire-fighting equipment, protective gear, as well as lots of information about how to stay safe in the event of a fire.
There are also fire-fighting toys that kids can play with. The museum is located in Penrith, which is the final suburb of Sydney before the Blue Mountains begin.
3. Old Umbrella Shop, Tasmania
As its name suggests, this Launceston shop is dedicated to the umbrella, with a collection of umbrellas ranging in age across the 20th century.
But it’s more than just a museum. The shop is one of the oldest in Tasmania, and has been run by three generations of the same family.
It’s now a National Trust property.
4. The Johnson Collection, Victoria
William Johnson was a prominent antiques dealer, with an impressive collection of furniture and art. When he died, he left his incredible house in East Melbourne and its contents to the people of Victoria.
But rather than just setting up the house and leaving it for years, the Johnston Collection has done things a little differently. Every few months they bring in a guest curator who rearranges William Johnson’s extensive collection to represent a new theme.
This quarter it’s ‘Rejoice: The 10th Anniversary Christmas at the Johnson Collection’, which celebrates past Christmases of the collection. Tour bookings are essential.
5. The Museum of Human Disease, New South Wales
This museum has everything you ever wanted to know about human disease.
Situated at the University of New South Wales, and presided over by the Department of Pathology, the museum has over 3000 specimens of diseased human tissue.Some of the specimens are over 100 years old (but in great condition for their age).
This museum is not recommended for hypochondriacs, as the museum contains specimens with infectious diseases, including typhoid.
6. Dow’s Pharmacy Museum, Victoria
After a visit to the Museum of Human Disease, you might feel the need to take a trip to a pharmacy.
Built in 1859, this pharmacy in Chiltern is now run by the National Trust as a lasting example of how pharmacies used to be run.
Go on a guided tour and see the old shop fittings, as well as original pharmaceutical equipment that you won’t find in your usual pharmacy (at least, we hope not).
7. Australian Museum of Childhood, South Australia
The Australian Museum of Childhood in Adelaide is exactly what it sounds like – a museum dedicated to the history of childhood.
There are exhibitions on old toys, as well as examples of old childhood games and Australian children’s contributions throughout history.
Although it’s a museum about children for children, anyone can visit.
8. National Wool Museum, Victoria
How much do you know about the history of wool in Australia? You probably know that sheep have traditionally played a large part in our farming economy, and that wool is a great product that keeps us warm in winter.
But if you want to know a bit more about wool, the National Wool Museum in Geelong can answer any woolly questions you might have about wool technology, past living conditions of workers and what a shearing shed is like.
9. Bass Strait Shell Museum, Victoria
How much can you really say about shells? After a visit to the Bass Strait Shell Museum in Apollo Bay, the answer is clearly: a lot! This museum features shells found all over Australia as well as overseas.
Once you get shelled out, there are photos of old shipwrecks from the Victorian coast, as well as exhibits on coral and sea life.
10. National Dollhouse Galley, Victoria
Welcome to the dollhouse – or dollhouses to be accurate. This gallery in East Gippsland has a substantial collection of miniatures, including dollhouses.
It’s a unique way to explore historic houses from the 19th and 20th centuries.
