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Geoscience Australia

A pre-teen girl holds a cluster of dark crystals in her hand while a pre-teen boy looks at them.
A woman touches a small rock  in a cabinet with an image of the Moon and Earth behind her.
Two pre-teen girls look at a cylindrical drum that has white paper with black wave signals on it.
An outdoor gravel path stretches off into the distance. A striped red and black rock is next to it.
A pre-teen girl holds a cluster of dark crystals in her hand while a pre-teen boy looks at them.
A woman touches a small rock  in a cabinet with an image of the Moon and Earth behind her.
Two pre-teen girls look at a cylindrical drum that has white paper with black wave signals on it.
An outdoor gravel path stretches off into the distance. A striped red and black rock is next to it.

Overview

Geoscience Australia welcomes visitors to discover Earth science and their work.

Their public display area houses the National Mineral and Fossil Collection. Visitors can be captivated by a collection of minerals, fossils, and meteorites, with approximately 700 items on permanent display.

Exploration can be done at one's own pace or through the Mineral Treasure Hunt activity, accessible via a QR code on personal devices or as a paper copy obtainable from Reception.

Visitors also have the opportunity to touch a piece of the Moon at Geoscience Australia! A Moon rock, brought back to Earth by the Apollo 17 mission in 1972 and on loan from NASA, is the only piece of the Moon in the Southern Hemisphere that can be touched!

Or get up close and personal with Earth science through the hands-on exhibits in the Education Centre! Here, individuals can hold a volcanic bomb, examine glow-in-the-dark minerals, discover fossilized feces, and zoom in using the digital microscope.

Visitors are welcome in the Education Centre unless it is being used for a scheduled activity. To prevent disappointment, it is encouraged to verify availability before the visit by contacting the reception via phone.

Map of the venue locationMap of the venue location
Corner Hindmarsh Drive and Jerrabomberra Avenue, Symonston, Australian Capital Territory, AustraliaGet Directions
  • Cafe
  • Carpark
  • Coach Parking
  • Food and Refreshments
  • Interpretive Centre
  • Interactive Centre
  • Non Smoking
  • Picnic Area
  • Public Toilet