Age of fishes museum…

Imagine a world ruled by fish! Long before the dinosaurs the mighty rivers of the Central West teamed with bizarre ancient fishes - fish with armour shells, fish with lungs, and huge predators with jaws like crocodiles. Thousands of their fossils were found at Canowindra and give us a unique glimpse into life during the Devonian Period - the 'Age of Fishes'.

A chance discovery in 1955 revealed an extensive fossil bed dating from the Devonian Period. This 360 million year old formation contained the fossilised remains of over 3500 freshwater fish. Many were new to science. This unique fossil collection is now on public display in the township of Canowindra, only a short distance from the discovery location.

Following the major excavation by Dr Alex Ritchie in July 1993, the realisation of the scale and importance of the fossil find prompted the construction of a fish fossil museum to house and display the collection. This display is known as The Age of Fishes Museum.

The Museum contains many of these beautiful fossils together with live aquarium displays and wonderful recreations of life in the Devonian. The Age of Fishes Museum has a wonderful gift shop and two permanent exhibitions, a sculpture garden, time-line and picnic ground.

The Age of Fishes Museum is open 7 days per week. The Visitor Information Centre and the gift shop are free while the permanent exhibitions incur an entry charge. 

Opening hours
Open 7 days a week 10am to 4pm, including most Public Holidays. 
The Museum is an accessible building and offers, ramps, and accessible bathroom facilities.

Address: Corner of Gaskill and Ferguson Street, Canowindra NSW 2804
Phone: 02 6344 1008
Email: fish@cabonne.nsw.gov.au
Website: www.agefishes.com