Kiddipedia
While Cooper – the largest ever dinosaur found in Australia (we’re talking the same length as a basketball court and same weight as nine African elephants!) – is making headlines across the world, have you ever heard of Krono, Banjo, Wanda or Hughie?
Take a step back 95 million years ago and Outback Queensland was a dinosaur stomping ground, home to Krono, Banjo, Wanda and Hughie.
With the ongoing discovery of dino bones across the region, you too can follow in the footsteps of prehistoric creatures that once roamed ancient land, right here in Australia! Outback Queensland is a must do for all dino-enthusiasts and hungry adventurers travel to the outback to explore a time when dinosaurs roamed the earth.
Read on for a snapshot of Outback Queensland’s dinosaur towns and prehistoric discoveries (we can’t let Cooper have all the attention!).
Richmond
Once part of Australia’s Inland Sea, Richmond is best known for its marine fossil discoveries, such as Krono, the Kronosaurus queenslandicus and Wanda, Australia’s largest fossilised fish. A stop to the dinosaur town is a non-negotiable for any budding palaeontologists, where children can spend hours exploring the extensive fossil collection at the Kronosaurus Korner museum and digging at the fossil hunting site.
Lark Quarry
Shiver with Jurassic Park levels of spine-chilling history as you spot 3,300 giant stone footprints at Lark Quarry Conversation Park. It’s here you’ll learn about the world’s only recorded evidence of a dinosaur stampede, dating back around 95 million years ago.
Lark Quarry can be explored by self-driving but tours also depart daily, so plan ahead to learn all about the fascinating dinos that once roamed the area.
Winton
Known as the Dinosaur Capital of Australia, you’ll be able to satisfy any cravings for a fossil adventure in Winton. Visit Australian Age of Dinosaurs to see Banjo and all his friends at the world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils. You can even sign-up to help prepare real dinosaur bones in the laboratory!
Australian Age of Dinosaurs has recently undergone a $4.9 million expansion. This expansion has travellers near and far flocking to Winton to see the March of the Titanosaurus exhibition, Gondwana Stars Observatory and two life-sized bronze sauropods with several ornithopods and coelurosaurs.
Hughenden
Become friends with Hughie, a 7-metre statue cast from the bones of a Muttaburrasaurus at the Flinders Discovery Centre in Hughenden. While you’re in Hughenden, you can also explore the impressive international fossil collection, interactive displays and Australian dinosaur bones found in the area from 1865 up until modern day digs.
Riversleigh
Head out to where nature and history come together at the Riversleigh World Heritage Site. As “one of the four most important fossil deposits in the world” (David Attenborough), the Riversleigh fossil deposits are among the richest and most extensive in the world, with some fossils dating back 15 to 25 million years.
The newly upgraded Riversleigh Fossil Discovery Centre in Mount Isa also showcases some of Riversleigh’s most unique fossil finds via innovative interactive displays. Explore the World Heritage Site on a guided tour to find how specimens are sorted, cleaned and the fossils extracted from hard limestone in the fossil laboratory.
Isisford
You’ll be yelling Crikey! at the Outer Barcoo Interpretation Centre, as you marvel at life-sized model of a Isisfordia Duncani. This old girl won’t bite, but as the evolutionary ancestor of the crocodile, you can imagine she had some bite back in her day! While you’re there, take a look at the Bulldog Fish who swam in the region 100 million years ago.
Eromanga
Your trip to Outback Queensland is (of course) incomplete without a visit to Cooper, Australia’s largest Dinosaur, at Eromanga Natural History Museum (ENHM). Meet the friendly giant dinosaur and all of his friends who has been making headlines across the globe and take a trip back 100,000 years with EHNM’s exhibit of some of the world’s largest mega fauna and micro fauna.
The Natural History Museum has recently expanded – so check out the museum shop, café and theatre, which runs audio-visual on the geological history prior to your tour.
