Checking Out Natural History At Sydney's Australian Museum

The Australian Museum in Sydney is the country's oldest collecting institution, concentrating on the history of the world's flora and fauna. Rocks, dinosaurs, animals, civilizations, soft ice cream. OK, maybe soft ice cream hasn't made it out of their cafe.

Starting with the classics, throwback styled room full of the Curiosities of Man.

Things to collect. Birds from the wild and wood carvings from other peoples. Contain them if you've got 'em. Way back when, researchers crammed their little catch in any old box they may have had around. "Honey, do not open the OXO Cubes!"

There's one, classic, diorama still intact, Lord Howe Island. Dozens of species of birds, rocking out.

What killed the dinosaurs? In the museum's dino section, an autopsy imagination of a T-Rex tries to find the answer. Or freak out six year olds. Or us. Moving to cuter things, a stuffed koala. Definitely easier to see this one over running into a bear in the wild.

"Oh, brother, just leave me alone." Wombat heading back into its lair, fed up with the human gaze. We hear you.

Paying Respects At Sydney's ANZAC Memorial

ANZAC is Australia New Zealand Army Corps. The alliance gained fame for its joint fighting during WWI and ANZAC Day is now Australia's biggest military observation event. Every town, city has an ANZAC memorial and the building in Sydney is impressive.

Imposing, solemn, Art Deco in design, built in 1934.

In the central rotunda, a slightly moving, slightly freaky sculpture of a nude man, martyr on a column. The basement of the memorial contains extensive exhibits on all wars that involved Australians, including artifacts from air battles against the Japanese during WWII.

There's a central, underground courtyard that features every town in Australia that has sent people into battle and a corresponding sample of dirt, soil from that town.

WWII uniforms and a signed Italian flag, commemorating the capturing of Tobruk, Libya. Fun with HMAS ship logos, seals. Go get 'em, mighty Oxley.

There's a nice, Claes Oldenburg-like sculpture of giant bullets and spent cartridges near the memorial. It was designed by indigenous artist Tony Albert and the installation honors Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have served in the Australian Defence Force.