Explore dinosaur trails less travelled

Looking for dinosaur trails in Australia that go beyond the usual tourist circuit? This Dinosaur Trails Australia road trip begins at Lightning Ridge in northern NSW, home to rare opalised dinosaur fossils from the Cretaceous period. From Lightning Ridge to Queensland’s dinosaur country, this is a prehistoric journey for curious travellers, grey nomads and lovers of regional Australia.

HAVE you ever wanted to take a journey in the footsteps of giants? One that few people travel, yet is full of prehistoric wonder.

Well, now’s your chance to explore Australia’s fascinating world of dinosaur trails.

But if you’re already a dedicated traveller, you may have ticked all the well-known trails off your list.

So why not invent one of your own? May I suggest a slightly different trail?

If you’re a grey nomad or any other southern self-contained gadabout and you’re heading north to sunny Queensland, start your trail at Lightning Ridge in far northern NSW.

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Lightning Ridge: Australia’s Opalised Dinosaur Fossils

Cretaceous Australia. Photo: Creative Commons

Lightning Ridge is the source of some of Australia’s most spectacular dinosaur fossils; spectacular because they are opalised.

The district is also one of Australia’s productive opal-mining regions, adding another dimension to your visit.

Most dinosaur discoveries at Lightning Ridge date from the Early to Mid Cretaceous periods, between 145 and 110 million years ago.

At that time, a vast, relatively shallow inland sea covered central Australia, with Lightning Ridge lying near its south-eastern shore.

The opal fields have yielded several important dinosaur fossil finds. Most recently, palaeontologists announced the discovery of the small ornithopod dinosaur Weewarrasaurus pobeni in 2019.

About the size of a dog, this small dinosaur likely travelled in family groups or herds for protection. Two fragments of jawbone and several teeth provide the evidence we have of it today.

Savour the Outback at Home

Before setting out on Dinosaur Trails Australia — or after you’ve returned from Lightning Ridge — savour a true taste of Australia. Kakadu plum grows wild in Australia’s remote regions and has long been valued for its natural properties. It’s a small but meaningful way to stay connected to the landscapes that shape our prehistoric story.

Discover Kakadu Plum

Dinosaur fossils found in an opal mine

Before that discovery, miners unearthed fossils from what appears to have been a herd of larger ornithopod dinosaurs deep underground in an opal mine.

This dinosaur, Fostoria dhimbangunmal, is related to the well-known Muttaburrasaurus from north-western Queensland.

Researchers have identified more than 60 bones from four individuals of the species.

Its species name comes from a local Aboriginal word meaning ‘sheepyard’, a reference to the locality that yielded the fossils.

Numerous other dinosaur fragments and bones still await identification in the district. Perhaps the most tantalising is ‘Lightning Claw’.

Only a handful of fossils provide clues to this mysterious dinosaur, leaving scientists without enough evidence to reconstruct it fully or give it an official scientific name.

Researchers believe Lightning Claw was a large theropod — a megaraptor — and perhaps one of the largest examples of a dinosaur group that appears only rarely in Australia’s fossil record.

Lightning Claw. Photo: Creative Commons

Things to Do in Lightning Ridge (Opals, Fossils & Outback Experiences)

Lightning Ridge has several caravan parks. Check out the fossicking heaps at the Tourist Information Centre.

The John Murray Gallery is a must, and a good meal can be had at the Lightning Ridge Bowls Club.

Try the Car Door Tours; an economical, quaint way to see the sights.

When you get to Lightning Ridge, ask about the new Australian Opal Centre.

The Car Door Tours at Lighting Ridge are a must-see attraction. Photo: Jocelyn Watts

John Murray Gallery mural at Lightning Ridge. Photo: Jocelyn Watts

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Planning a Dinosaur Trail Road Trip in Australia

So, you’re looking for a destination that’s off the beaten path, why not explore some of Australia’s lesser-known dinosaur trails?

These areas are home to prehistoric creatures that once roamed the earth and offer an unforgettable experience for travellers of all ages.

Dinosaur Trails Australia: Sunset at Lightning Ridge

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If you go: Dinosaur Trails Australia – Lightning Ridge

Location: Lightning Ridge, northern New South Wales
Distance from Brisbane: Approx. 720 km (8–9 hours by car)
Distance from Sydney: Approx. 770 km (around 9 hours by car)

Best time to visit: Autumn and winter (April–September) offer cooler, more comfortable conditions. Summers can be intensely hot.

Road access: Sealed highways lead into town. Suitable for caravans, motorhomes and self-contained travellers. Always check local road conditions after heavy rain.

Allow: 2–3 days to explore fossil displays, opal fields and outback attractions at a relaxed pace.

Highlights:

• Fossil displays at the Visitor Information Centre

• Opal fossicking areas

• The John Murray Gallery

• Car Door Tours

• Progress on the Australian Opal Centre

Map: View Lightning Ridge on Google Maps:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lightning+Ridge+NSW

From here, your journey along Dinosaur Trails Australia continues north into Queensland’s prehistoric heartland. In Part Two, explore Winton, Hughenden and Muttaburra along the Queensland Dinosaur Trail, where some of Australia’s most significant fossil discoveries await.

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About the author

Peter Woodland is a contributor to Jocelyn Magazine. A former teacher and school librarian, his interests include computing, geography, palaeontology and good food.

This piece was first published in Jocelyn Magazine in 2022. It has been lightly edited to update travel information.