The Great Australian Dinosaur Trail

Scattered across outback Queensland, the Great Australian Dinosaur Trail is best experienced with the whole family in tow in your Dollar rental car. Once you pick up your vehicle from Townsville airport, you’ll be on the verge of uncovering the ancient paths of the incredible creatures that once roamed this very land. 

Begin Your Journey in the Town of Hughenden 

The journey from Townsville to the outback town of Hughenden is a scenic four hour drive that will deliver you to the gateway of the ancient world. Situated at the edge of a prehistoric inland sea, Hughenden is bordered by four national parks and boasts over 3000 fossil specimens from the Cretaceous period, alongside vast dramatic landscapes. It won’t be hard to imagine these ancient beasts once roaming the earth that you’re adventuring around. The best place to start exploring in Hughenden is the Flinders Discovery Centre, a hub of history that stretches back thousands of years. You’ll even meet the life size skeletal replica from the original bones of a 100-million-year-old Muttaburrasaurus from the surrounding region.  

After you’ve explored the Flinders Discovery Centre, check out the nearby Porcupine Gorge. This picturesque landscape is overflowing with dramatic canyons filled with strata of sedimentary rocks that date back hundreds of millions of years. You’ll also be able to find a nearby vine forest and shimmering water holes that sit alongside the greenery beautifully, as well as boasting stunning savannah plains. You won’t want to forget your camera for this spot. 

Travel South to the Outback Oasis of Winton 

A further two hours’ drive south, through endless outback plains that stretch as far as the eye can see, you’ll arrive in the quaint town of Winton. This hotspot of dinosaur remains is home to the largest dinosaur fossil collection in the country, as well as the Southern Hemisphere’s most productive fossil preparation laboratory. Best of all, just outside Winton you can see the fossilised remains of a 95-million-year-old dinosaur stampede - the only recorded evidence of its kind in the world. Head to Lark Quarry Conservation Park to see the fossilised footprints of ancient creatures - more than 150 small carnivorous dinosaurs that left their mark as they fled from a larger predator. Walk along the footprints - all 3,300 of them if you want a challenge - and compare the size of these incredible beasts to the world you walk through today.  

Wrap up your adventures in Winton by cruising through the educational Australian Age of Dinosaurs museum, not too far from the centre of the town. You’ll learn about how the dinosaur bones have been discovered over time and what goes into extracting and preserving them. This is a great place to also catch a glimpse at two of Australia’s most complete dinosaur skeletons. 

Finish Up Your Adventure in Richmond 

For your final stop on the Great Australian Dinosaur Trail, head to the town of Richmond, about two and a half hours north-west of Winton. While this outback town is surrounded by red dust and dry land, travel back a hundred or so million years ago and you’ll find that Richmond was actually home to a vast inland sea, full to the brim of prehistoric reptiles and marine life. You can even discover one of these sea creatures for yourself, with an almost complete skeleton of a plesiosaur - an ancient marine creature - living in Richmond. There are plenty of fossil hunting locations scattered all across the town and its surrounding landscape - to discover some of this for yourself, head to the Visitor Information Centre and talk to one of the friendly staff there for recommendations of where to visit.  

You don’t need to go hunting too far to get your dinosaur fix, though. Kronosaurus Korner in the heart of Richmond is a museum that will take you back in time to when these great beasts reigned supreme. Here you’ll find Australia’s largest fossilised fish and even get the chance to help the scientists dig for them yourself. Who knows, maybe you’ll uncover the next great unknown beast hiding just below the surface. 

The Great Australian Dinosaur Trail is the perfect adventure to embark on with the whole family in your Dollar rental car. From Hughenden to Winton to Richmond, you’ll travel back in time and walk along the once-great beasts of the world.