THREAD:
Today was a very special day. I was given access to the @austmus for the #AUReopening that has been *15 months* in the making! A lot of you know that I usually live-tweet at events like this, but I was so taken by the museum..... 1/n

I decided it was best to take my time which what I learnt at @AustMus! I discovered on today’s journey that this gorgeous museum in the middle of Sydney is full of heart! (And not just this tyrannosaurus heart that I found!) #AUReopening 2/n

I think it’s safe to say that my favourite exhibit is upon arrival. As you wander up the ramp, look down! Do you see those footsteps? This is a replica of a child’s footsteps that walked across Willandara Lakes 20,000 years ago! #AUReopening 3/n

When the footsteps were found, they were cast and replicated for the walkway to front of the @austmus. With 530 prints recorded, this is one of the largest places on earth to find human tracks. #AUReopening 4/n

I love this story so very much for a few reasons:

1. The journey with the @austmus starts even before you even enter.
2. There is curiosity and wonderment of a running child.
3. We are walking with our ancestors.

Seriously, there’s a lot of #AllTheFeels.
#AuReopening 5/n

The entrance into the @austmus is friendly for all. If you have mobility issues, you can wheel right in - you can easily avoid stairs. And, there’s a bathroom on every floor as well as lifts. So, the museum is now accessible for everyone to enjoy! #AUReopening 6/n

The @austmus is also FREE. That’s right! The museum is now free for all - as it should be! (And there are a lot of cool things coming in the new year that everyone can enjoy!) #AUReopening 7/n

The inspiration for the new exhibition space @austmus is based on Italian plazas! Rotational exhibits and events including live music is scheduled to be in this area! As you can see, it’s quite large - and beautiful! #AuReopening 8/n

At the moment, the @ausgeo Nature Photographer of the Year exhibit is on display! Be sure to check it out!! #AUReopening 9/n

And, if you head downstairs, be prepared for an exhibit that is DYNOMITE!

Fun Fact: the scientists of @austmus have mapped the genome of Tyrannosaurus - I kid you not! Aussies are LEGENDARY! #AUReopening 10/n

Dinosaurs are f*kn cool.
Seriously.
End of.
Discussion over.

But there are so many cool little Easter eggs in this exhibit that didn’t include because I want YOU to discover for yourself! Hot Tip: Kids are gonna LOOOOOOOVE IT. #AuReopening 11/n

And.. yes! That Dino does look like a hot mess and for good reason! They were giant chooks!

For perspective, you’ll see a giant Rex that came from Canada (and an example of a dinosaur heart. It’s very large - this picture does not do it justice) #AUReopening 12/n

So, we started outside, checked out the temporary @ausgeo photography of the year exhibit and the dinosaurs... Now, we are going into the heart of the @austmus - the permanent exhibition! #AuReopening 13/n

Before diving into the next exhibit, I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters & culture. I would like to pay my respect to their Elders past, present & emerging. #AUReopening 14/n

As it was explained to me today, this hall is like the smoking ceremony that you see in Australia before events. It acts as a welcoming ceremony to the traditional owners country. #AUReopening 15/n

And today I learnt where the word “Yarn” comes from!

Even to this day, there are 250 Indigenous languages including 800 dialects in Australia alone! 16/n #AuReopening

The next hall is about the sea and it is in the shape of the Sydney Harbour! This exhibit is told from the First Nations perspective.

This exhibit tells the story of how they lived and fished from the pristine harbour. #AUReopening 17/n

I learnt that First Nations People that lived in Sydney used Conch shells and and drums to warn each other that Cook and his white people were coming. They even had particular drum calls signifying warnings.
#AUReopening 18/n

The First Nations People were shot at by Cook and his crew. There is even a shield on display with a bullet hole. They fought best as they could as Cook invaded their land.

#AUReopening 19/n

This is the story of the cod and the crab which comes from the Torres Strait Islands. This artwork is made out of trawler fishing lines that wash up on the beach of the Island. The cod is in love with the crab and you can’t have one without the other. #AUReopening 20/n

Some of you might recognise this part of the exhibit. A lot of what is on display are endangered species. @austmus has a taxidermist on site that goes though the process of preserving the animals for display. #AuReopening 21/n

The @austmus isn’t just a museum - there are over 100 scientists work here as well! And, they’re developing technology that is being accessed all over the world! Go Australia! #AUReopening 22/n

Scientists at @austmus have designed anti poaching kits that have been distributed across Australia and Asia that can quickly check within 24 hrs, similar to a drug test, if the material found is of animal origin! This stops poaching in its tracks! #AUReopening 23/n

The Sumatran tiger is heavily poached but this tiger had a good life in Australia. He fathered 19 kittens and lived in Melbourne, The Australia Zoo and Taronga in Dubbo. He now is on display at the @austmus. #AUReopening 24/n

This hall is the first gallery in Australia and it is gorgeous. It hosts all priceless treasures.
#AUReopening 25/n

This room includes the cloak that was given to Captain Cook from the Hawaiian cheif. It was given to cook as protection - but it didn’t work because he was still hacked to death.

The cloak features the feathers of now extinct birds. #AUReopening 26/n

In true Aussie style, this imprint of fish fossils was found by an excavator - he propped it up on a tree and called the museum. There was no way to get it as the time, so it sat there next to a tree for over 20 years and the punch line? It’s worth millions! #AUReopening 27/n

Youll also find the fan favourites like Sir Hercules the Horse that sired 6 Melbourne Cup Winners and.... an Irish Elk from high above. Impressive! #AUReopening 27/n

And, there are also hidden gems - Does this remind you of anything? Nope, it’s not upside down! #AuReopening 28/n

And then if you venture up to the top, you can have lunch in one of the most beautiful spots in Sydney! This is the view from the new cafe! #AUReopening 29/n

This concludes the tour of the @austmus! A big thank you to the museum PR team for allowing me a behind the scenes tour of such a wonderful place. It’s definitely a space for all!

Enjoy discovering! #AUReopening 30/n

Apologies for the spelling/grammar errors.

Another reason why @twitter needs an edit button. Ffs.