Discover the Tweed's hidden gems

02 March 2017

Thunder eggs at Tweed Regional Museum

Thunder eggs found in the Tweed are the envy of collectors around the world.

More than 50 of these prized volcanic rocks, with their stunning colours and crystals, are on display at the Tweed Regional Museum Murwillumbah from this month.

“Thunder eggs can look like unassuming spherical rocks from the outside but once cut and polished, they show a beautiful and wild array of colours and crystals,” Museum Curator Erika Taylor said.

“The different formations you see on display are unique to the Tweed and not found anywhere else in the world.

“Thunder eggs appear different owing to the different naturally occurring minerals in their area. Volcanic rocks in the Chillingham area contain characteristic patterns that can be distinguished from those found in volcanic rocks at Doon Doon, which are different again from those found in the Perch Creek area.”

The thunder eggs featured in the current display are a selection of the more than 150 specimens in the Museum’s permanent collection, sourced from throughout Tweed Shire.

This permanent collection has been assembled thanks to major donations from local enthusiasts such as Bill Currant and the O’Connor brothers.

The display, which will become part of permanent exhibitions at the Museum, includes internal or “vertebrae” thunder eggs, which have had their surrounding spherulite decompose and erode away.

The Museum will host a free talk about thunder eggs in the Tweed and their geological history on Saturday 8 April at 11am. A demonstration of thunder eggs being cut, and related children’s activities, will also be held at the Museum on 8 April.

Bookings are essential for the children’s activities and can be made by contacting the Museum on (02) 6670 2493 or emailing trm@tweed.nsw.gov.au

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Caption: A selection of thunder eggs on display at Tweed Regional Museum Murwillumbah.