Prehistoric Bayside Open Day - Saturday 11th April
Description
It's on again! The first of four open days for 2026, the Prehistoric Bayside Museum is back, and bigger than ever.
The creation of the Prehistoric Bayside Museum is only possible thanks to generous funding from the Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron, Bayside City Council, the Bayside Earth Sciences Society, Deb Lusty and the countless citizen scientists who are changing the palaeontological landscape of Victoria with their discoveries.
More than 5 million years in the making, the Museum will display hundreds of fossils from the internationally renowned fossil sites of Beaumaris and Black Rock (Victoria). The museum displays one of the largest collections of fossil whales and sharks on the continent.
You'll get to see:
1) The newest discoveries of 2025/26 made by citizen scientists, from Beaked whales, giant Pseudo-toothed birds and monster Baleen whales,
2) A series of in-person talks by eminent scientists and palaeontologists, including the newest discoveries by Curator Ben Francischelli,
3) Giant Megalodon teeth, huge Killer Sperm whale remains, and fossil evidence of some of the largest animals that ever lived (even bigger than any of the dinosaurs),
4) Scientists and citizen scientists behind the scenes, making these incredible discoveries. You can ask whatever burning questions you have for them!
5) An identification table with experts, who can analyse and ID any specimens you've found across Victoria.
The talks will be listed below once they're confirmed for the day.
Appropriate for all ages, every Open Day will be different! Each fossil display will change based on the newest discoveries of that month, so don't miss out on this opportunity to see history as you've never seen it before.
FAQs
- 1. When will the talks be?
There will be two timings for the in-person talks, with the first round occurring at 1 PM and the second at 3 PM. They will be the same talks, just at different times.
Curator and Vertebrate Palaeontologist Ben Francischelli will be discussing the latest scientific finds, followed by researcher Dr James Rule, who will be discussing the fossil seals of the area.
- 2. Where do I park at the Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron?
Parking and Entry will be available from 12:00 PM
Parking will be available in the general parking area in orange. We need to maintain clear access through the Boat wash zones.
If there is no more room left, please respectfully park on the nearby streets of Cromer Road and Ray Street (Beaumaris) above the Motor Yacht Squadron and walk down the ramp into the Yacht Squadron at the main entrance.
- 3. Where do I pay for my gold-coin donation?
A donation box is within the museum space itself - we're asking for a gold coin donation per entry to the Museum.
All funds generated from the day will go directly towards the Prehistoric Bayside Museum. The funding will allow us to curate and prepare new specimens, create new displays and signage, allow for general upkeep of all display cases, create new videography of our underwater discoveries, purchase field gear, create education kits for schools, allow for in-person talks for the museum, create new and exciting palaeo-artwork, allow us to host these open days and more.
- 4. I've got more questions!
No problem, just send through any questions to the curator Ben Francischelli at benfrancischelli91@gmail.com and he'll get back to you.
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