Winton - The Dinosaur Capital of Australia

You wouldn’t guess it but there’s only one site in the world that shows evidence of a dinosaur stampede. And it just happens to be in our Aussie backyard of Winton, in Outback Queensland.

In October 2016 a new species, Savannasaurus Elliottorum , was officially named, the fossilised skeleton of this 18-metre-long dinosaur discovered by Winton grazier, David Elliott, on his property while mustering sheep.

It wasn’t the first time Elliott had stumbled upon dinosaur bones: that happened back in 1999, and his family went on to establish the Australian Age of Dinosaurs museum on their property, which now boasts the largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils in the world.

This non-profit museum is a great visit for those who are self-proclaimed dino-geeks or those who just love all things history.

Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum — Check out the fossilised bones down at the museum.

The History of Winton and the Dinosaurs

Originally based in a sheep station in Belmont, owners Judy and David Elliot started up the museum in October 2002. During September 2006, the owners of the Mt Landsborough Station near Winton, Peter and Carol Britton, donated their 1,400 hectares (called ‘Jump-Up’ country) for the Australian Age of Dinosaurs to relocate there. Fast forward to 2009, and the Elliot family were moving the museum to Winton.

In the late 1970s, scientists found fossils and footprints in the surrounding areas in Lark Quarry, believing that millions of years ago, there was a stampede of over 150 two-legged dinosaurs. During this time Lark Quarry was excavated and became an Environmental Park. You can only see it from afar due to the safety of preserving this magnificent piece of land.

In 2005, David Elliot, yet again found another dinosaur site on his property in Belmont and dug up 17 pallets of fossil bones. Giving the dinosaur the nickname of Wade, it was a tribute to the Australian Paleontologist Dr Mary Wade who passed away during the dig. Later in the year, there was a discovery of another site on Elderslie Station (close to Winton) leading to a series of digs that resulted in the recovery of two dinosaur skeletons preserved together. The theropod was nicknamed Banjo (after Andrew Barto ‘Banjo’ Paterson) and the sauropod was nicknamed Matilda (relating to Banjo Paterson’s iconic poem, Waltzing Matilda).

What you can see and do in the Museum

Age of Dinosaurs Museum Winton — Discover even more creatures at the Age of Dinosaurs museum.

Thousands of footprints at Lark Quarry Conservation Park tell of a day, 95 million years ago, when a herd of small dinosaurs were chased by a meat-eating theropod, creating a stampede. Winton looked a little different back then, covered in rainforests and swamps on the edge of an inland sea, and this part of Queensland’s west has proved Australia’s richest source of dinosaur fossils – and big dinosaurs in particular.

The museum runs across three different facilities, the Fossil Preparation Laboratory, Collection Room and Dinosaur Canyon. In these areas of the museum, you can find dinosaur fossils from three periods, Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous. Found throughout the majority of the country, bones have been discovered in the regions of NSW, QLD, SA, VIC, and WA.

Those who are employed at the museum go on special digs for fossils, so their collection has been increasing since they opened in Belmont. You too can opt to go on a Dig-a-Dino experience. The entire tour takes up seven days, but you’ll only be digging for five or six of them. Included in the price ($3,500 for new diggers), you’ll get accommodation, all meals and pre-dinner drinks. You’ll also get to take an excursion to the museum’s laboratory, where you’ll see how fossils are studied.

Australian Age of Dinosaurs WInton QLD — Learn about what goes on during the digging and preparation stages of fossil hunting.

If you’re looking to help but don’t have enough time to spend a whole week digging, the Prep-a-Dino experience is worth the short journey. The preparation will last for two days, starting at $169 per person for a twin package. Be guided through the laboratory, learning how to find dinosaurs, dig and clean away the rock that they’re entombed in. Hop onboard to the shuttle bus tour to Dinosaur Canyon and witness Australia’s prehistoric landscape. You have to have a steady hand for this type of work because you’re essentially putting pieces of a dinosaur puzzle together.

Otherwise, for those one day only visitors, the museum has a tonne of activities and exhibitions for you to see. In the Collection Room, check out some of the first discoveries in QLD and learn about the story of Banjo, Matilda and Wade. Once you’ve gone through these exhibits, make your way down to the Dinosaur Canyon in the shuttle bus. You’ll witness the original Dinosaur Stampede in Lark Quarry, known to be world’s only known record of a stampede. Also on display are life-size dinosaur exhibits, the death in Billabong exhibit and so many more.

Lark Quarry Dinosaur Museum Winton — The life-size dino exhibits are found at the Lark Quarry centre.

Once you’re feeling a little hungry, make your way down to the Cretaceous Cafe. Order up a delicious chunky meat pie and maybe a sweet killer python lolly for a classic Aussie lunch.

What else can you do in Winton?

Waltzing Matilda Centre

The Waltzing Matilda Centre has a great historical display about the area of Winton as well as lots of information on the famous Banjo Paterson. Head through the Main Exhibition as you experience the background and story of the iconic song through interactive displays. Check out the Chorregon Railway, a BB 18 1/4 class steam locomotive display that stands right outside. And stop into the Tuckerbox Cafe for some refuelling.

Bladensburg National Park

Bladesburg National Park QLD — The flat plains of Bladensburg National Park.

Almost 20 kilometres south-west of Winton lies Bladensburg National Park. Filled with flat-topped plateaus, and an epic scenic view to grassland plains and rivers, red gums and rocky scrap, this is the perfect place to have a picnic. You could even camp here if you are enamoured with the views, and the twinkling night sky is even better. If you walk over to Scrammy Lookout, you’ll find low trees that are perfect for shade from the blistering outback sun.

The Details

Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History

Address: Lot 1 Dinosaur Drive, Winton, QLD, 4735
Contact Number: (07) 4657 0078

Getting There

If you’re thinking of heading out to Winton in the outback, then you’ve got got a great trip ahead of you. For Brisbane dwellers, hop down to the airport and catch a flight into Longreach Aiport. This will take a couple of hours, and once you’ve landed head down the road, where a Spirit of Outback * RailBus will pick you up and take you the 2 hours up to Winton. Along the way, you’ll see the true Aussie outback, full of kangaroos, dusty roads and empty skies.

But honestly, you can’t go wrong with a great outback road trip. If you don’t feel like driving the almost 15 hours up there (or 7 hours from Townsville), then daily coach services head into Winton right from Brisbane Coach Terminal. Sit back, make that Australian country playlist and put it on repeat.

*Please note: The Spirit of Outback bus only comes twice a week. Make sure you coincide your trip with the flight schedule and land earlier in case.

Planning a trip to Outback Queensland? Head here to check out our curated guide on everything to do and see.

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

Winton – The Dinosaur Capital of Australia