The Ultimate Dinosaur Trail in QLD and Unexpected Places to See More Dinosaur Relics
The whole world is talking about Cooper, the new discovery of Australia’s largest dinosaur. However, Cooper isn’t found on the well known Dinosaur Trail in QLD, Cooper is actually found a little further away.
Can you guess where? I couldn’t! Visit Cooper at the Natural History Museum in Eromanga, a small town in Outback QLD with a population of around 45.
It turns out that around 95 million years ago, Outback QLD was a dinosaur stomping ground. As a result, families can not only meet Cooper, but also Krono, Banjo, Wanda and Hughie on the QLD Dinosaur Trail and other amazing places in QLD’s outback.
Outback QLD is a must-do for all families, particularly those with adventurers and dino enthusiasts. All you need is a car and a plan to follow in the footsteps of the prehistoric creatures.
Read on for family-friendly adventures on the ultimate Dinosaur Trail in QLD. You’ll also learn about a few other unexpected and amazing places to see dinosaur relics!
Credit – Tourism & Events Queensland
The Ultimate Dinosaur Trail in QLD
Outback QLD’s dinosaur trail encompasses the towns of Winton, Hughendon and Richmond. The towns form a road trip ”triangle” and each has its own unique experiences and stories to tell. Outside of this well-known dinosaur trail, families can also discover dinosaurs in Eromanga, Mt Isa and Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park. All of course, in Outback Queensland!
Winton
Families who take the time to head to Winton will enjoy not one, but two amazing dino attractions on the QLD dinosaur trail. Here you can tick the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum and Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways off your dino list!
The Australian Age of Dinosaurs
Located around 25km from Winton, the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum is home to the world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils. This museum features the most productive fossil preparation laboratory in the southern hemisphere and surprisingly, visitors actually get to see it.
Meet ”Banjo”, the greatest meat eater down under and explore Dinosaur Canyon, a series of five outdoor dino galleries. Jump on one of the daily tours through the laboratory, collection room and dinosaur canyon but make sure you book your ticket in advance.
Credit – Tourism & Events Queensland
Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways
Located around 110km from Winton is Lark Quarry, said to have inspired the dinosaur stampede scene in Stephen Spielberg’s movie “Jurrasic Park”. Lark Quarry features real-life dinosaur footprints preserved in the amazing landscape. This means that families can stand in the very same spot that dinosaurs once roamed!
The footprints were until recently, thought to be from a herd of small dinosaurs being chased by a large therapod around 95 million years ago. However, a recent study suggests that the tracks could have been made by swimming and wading, not running.
Although there are more dino footprints in the area, for the moment they are preserved safely under rock and visitors can see some 4000 footprints in a 200 square metre site called the Trackways. This fascinating site is protected from the elements by a large solar-powered shed using ecologically sustainable methods.
Entry to see the dino footprints are by tour only, departing at various times daily. Book your ticket direct from the Dinosaur Trackways website in advance. This is one of the coolest things to see on the QLD dinosaur trail!
Credit – Tourism & Events Queensland
Other Cool Things to do in Winton
There is plenty more to do in Winton for families when you need a break from the QLD dinosaur trail. Fossick for opals at nearby Opalton or head to the water park in town. Experience the Waltzing Matilda Centre, make some noise on the musical fence, check out the machinery museum and much more.
Time your visit to Winton to coincide with September’s Outback Festival so as not to miss the iconic Dunny Derby. Teams of five run a chariot race of sorts, with the chariot seat being an actual toilet. One person rides the dunny as the rest of the team pushes and pulls their jockey across the finish line.
Hughendon
Families can meet Hughie in Hughenden, a 7-metre skeletal Muttaburrasaurus at The Flinders Discovery Centre on the QLD dinosaur trail. The massive display area is home to an amazing exhibition of fossils from around the world as well as Australian dinosaur bones found in the areas from 1865 up until now.
Once you have made friends with Hughie, families can check out Porcupine Gorge National Park. Here they can marvel at 500 million years of layers of rock formations in the deep gorge system. Take in the views from Mount Walker, go 4WDing or mountain biking in Moorinya National Park and snap a selfie at the Historic Coolabah Tree.
Credit – Tourism & Events Queensland
Richmond
Families visiting Richmond should head to Kronosaurus Korner, where they can step back in time to when half of Australia was underwater. Featuring primarily marine reptiles, Kronosaurus Korner is home to Australia’s best-preserved dinosaur skeleton.
Meet the creatures that dominated life below the surface such as Krono and Wanda. Kids will love the fossil collection on this stop of the QLD dinosaur trail.
One of the major highlights of Richmond is the opportunity to find treasure at the free local fossil hunting sites. These ancient treasures were deposited around 100 million years ago when Richmond was covered by a shallow inland sea. Don’t miss the opportunity to discover an ancient fish, shark tooth, squid or giant marine reptile by turning over a few stones!
Before you leave Richmond, take a day trip to Lake Fred Tritton to enjoy the playground, waterpark and swimming. If time is on your side, stroll along the Heritage Walk, visit the Cambridge Downs Heritage Display Centre or wander the Bush Tucker Garden.
Credit – Tourism & Events Queensland
Other Great Places to Spot Dinosaurs in Outback QLD
Eromanga
Your trip to Outback Queensland is incomplete without meeting Cooper at the Eromanga Natural History Museum. Cooper is the friendly giant dinosaur who is making headlines worldwide as Australia’s largest dinosaur. While Eromanga is not technically on the official dinosaur trail of QLD, trust me … you don’t want to miss this! Book your tour directly from the ENHM Website.
Eromanga is reportedly the furthest town from the sea in Australia! However, its latest claim to fame is the significant paleontological discoveries on a property near Eromanga. Several dinosaurs have been unearthed here and the area is being heralded as the most exciting and prolific dinosaur site in Australia.
Before you leave Eromanga, make sure to visit Knot-A-Saurus Park and the Eromanga Living History Centre.
Credit – Tourism & Events QLD
Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park
Forget museums, head straight outdoors to see “one of the four most important fossil deposits in the world” (David Attenborough) at Riversleigh World Heritage Site in the southern section of the Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park.
The Australian Fossil Mammal Site at Riversleigh was inscribed into the World Heritage List in 1994 for its outstanding representation of the evolution of Australian mammals and the quality of the relics, which are preserved in limestone.
Some of the relics here date back 15 to 25 million years and includes the first records of many groups of living mammals, such as marsupial moles, feather tailed possums and the extinct ”marsupial lion”. The area open to the public was one of the first fossil deposits found and gives visitors an opportunity to view many fossilised mammals and reptiles first hand.
Credit – Tourism and Events Queensland
Riversleigh Fossil Centre
If visiting the above mentioned Riversleigh World Heritage Site is a little too far to travel, make sure to check out the Riversleigh Fossil Discovery Centre in Mount Isa. The centre showcases the relics from there!
Explore some of Riversleigh’s unique and fascinating relics on exhibit with innovative interactive displays. Wander through a cool diorama to see what the world would have looked like 25 million years ago. Families passing through Mount Isa on their way to the dinosaur trail QLD destinations should make sure to drop in!
Join a guided tour and learn the process of sorting, clearing and extracting the specimens. The discovery centre can be visited during opening hours at your own pace but the tours require a booking. Book your tickets on the Riversleigh Fossil Discovery Centre website direct.
Credit – Tourism & Events Queensland
Looking For More Outback Queensland Inspiration?
For more information on great places and awesome activities in Outback Queensland, head on over to our Outback Queensland page. Likewise, head back to the home page for more inspiration around Australia and worldwide.
Got FOMO? Sign up for our monthly newsletter so you don’t miss out on anything … like competitions, great deals and the latest in family travel inspiration and activities.
Psst … While you’re travelling through Outback Queensland, why not try your hand at fossicking for sapphires!
