Tag Archive for: Dinosaur Trails Australia

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Dinosaur Trails Australia: Lightning Ridge

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 is less travelled by man, and full of prehistoric wonder.

Well, now’s your chance because Australia’s dinosaur trails have opened up in this amazing world.

But if you’re already a dedicated traveller, there may be none of the well-known trails left in your repertoire.

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.

If you’re already in North Queensland, simply start at the other end.

*This article contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. It’s how we keep creating helpful stories and guides for you.

Lightning Ridge: Australia’s Opalised Dinosaur Fossils

Dinosaur Trails Australia: Opalised dinosaur fossils at Lightning Ridge NSW Australia. Cretaceous Australia illustration.

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 a productive sight for Australian opals, and that can add another dimension to your visit.

Most dinosaur discoveries at Lightning Ridge are from the Early to Mid Cretaceous periods, between 145 mya and 110 mya.

At this time central Australia was covered by a vast, relatively shallow, inland sea. Lightning Ridge would have been on the south-eastern shore of this sea.

These opal fields are the source of several important dinosaur fossil finds. Most recently, the small ornithopod dinosaur, Weewarrasaurus pobeni, was announced in 2019.

This dinosaur was small, approximately dog-sized and likely travelled in family groups or herds for protection. We know it from two fragments of a jawbone and some teeth.

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

Prior to that, fossils of what appears to be a herd of larger ornithopod dinosaurs were found deep underground in an opal mine.

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

Over 60 bones have been discovered for this species representing four individuals.

The species name is a local Aboriginal word meaning ‘sheepyard’ from the locality where the fossils were found.

Numerous other fragments and bones of extinct dinosaurs remain to be identified in the district. Perhaps the most tantalising of these is ‘Lightning Claw’.

This dinosaur is known from very little evidence and none sufficient to flesh it out or officially give it a name.

It is assumed to be a large theropod, a Megaraptor, perhaps the largest of a type of dinosaur rarely found in the Australian fossil record.

Dinosaur Trails Australia: Opalised dinosaur fossils at Lightning Ridge NSW Australia. Lightning claw.

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.

 

Dinosaur Trails Australia: Opalised dinosaur fossils at Lightning Ridge NSW Australia. Car Door Tours.

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

 

Dinosaur Trails Australia: Opalised dinosaur fossils at Lightning Ridge NSW Australia. John Murray Gallery Mural.

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

Travel Gear That Travels Well

If you’re upgrading luggage or packing tools for your next rail or road journey, choose lightweight pieces designed for regional travel.

BROWSE TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

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: Opalised dinosaur fossils at Lightning Ridge NSW Australia. Sunset at Lightning Ridge.

Dinosaur Trails Australia: Sunset at Lightning Ridge

Travel Insurance for Regional Australia

For rail journeys and extended road trips, comprehensive cover provides peace of mind — especially for mature travellers.

COMPARE TRAVEL INSURANCE OPTIONS

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.

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Queensland Dinosaur Trail Road Trip: Winton & Beyond

Journey Along the Queensland Dinosaur Trail Through Winton

Looking to explore the Queensland Dinosaur Trail beyond the brochures? From Charleville’s clear night skies to Winton’s world-class fossil discoveries, this outback road trip reveals prehistoric Australia at its most compelling.

WHERE to from Lightning Ridge? North! We’re heading to Winton, but there are a few interesting stops on the way.

I’d head north from Lightning Ridge through Hebel, Dirranbandi and Ballon on the A2 highway.

The most direct and shortest route to Longreach and Winton is the A2 and it will take you through historic Barcaldine, home of the 1893 Shearers Strike and the birth of the Australian Labor Party.

However, let’s not rush. Just north of Boatman, I’d take a left turn to Charleville.

 

*This article contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. It’s how we keep creating helpful stories and guides for you.

Charleville: Cosmos Centre and Bilby Experience

Queensland Dinosaur Trail: Bilby Experience Charleville railway station

Bilby. Photo: Creative Commons

I’d do that because there are a couple of attractions in Charleville that I think are worth a look, and we’re not in a hurry, are we?

Charlieville boasts the Cosmos Centre. It is an open-air astronomical observatory that is a treat for young and old.

We nomads know the night sky is an unfathomable wonder, way out there, but the Cosmos Centre will take you even closer.

There are other observatories around Australia, but I don’t know of one with as consistently clear skies as Charleville.

The next morning, you can visit the Charleville Bilby Experience at the local railway station.

These little critters are adorable and surprisingly little known.

If, however, Australia is serious about guarding and preserving this wide brown land we are fortunate to be custodians of, we could start with the bilby.

Clear your mind of the Easter Bunny; take the legend of the Easter Bilby home to your families and grandchildren.

Barcaldine and Longreach: Historic Outback Stops

Peter Woodland at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum in Winton, Queensland on the Queensland Dinosaur Trail.

Author Peter Woodland at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs, Winton — standing where Queensland’s prehistoric giants once roamed.

Heading north again, we return to the A2 and will eventually arrive in Barcaldine.

It’s only a short trip to Longreach and then Winton.

There are attractions in both of these centres worth dallying for, but we’re interested in dinosaurs and they are tantalisingly close.

Winton: Heart of the Queensland Dinosaur Trail

In Winton, apart from the tourist parks, there are several hotels and motels from which to choose. Of note is the historic North Gregory Hotel.

Banjo Patterson wrote Waltzing Matilda while staying nearby at Dagworth Station, and it is reliably reported that it was first recited at the North Gregory on April 6, 1895.

On the subject, the Waltzing Matilda Centre, in Winton’s main street, is a trove of detail about the era and the human faces behind this quintessential Australian piece.

Queensland Dinosaur Trail: North Gregory Hotel at night.

Neon lights and warm verandahs at the North Gregory Hotel, Winton — a classic outback stay on the Queensland Dinosaur Trail.

Savour the Outback at Home

Before setting out on Queensland Dinosaur Trail — or after you’ve returned from Winton — 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 way to stay connected to the landscapes that shape our prehistoric story.

DISCOVER KAKADU PLUM

Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum and Lark Quarry

Now, as to the Dinosaurs, I hear you ask.

The area around Winton was, again, on the edge of that erstwhile sea, mentioned previously, during the early to mid-Cretaceous, 145 mya to 110 mya.

It abounds in dinosaurs and other prehistoric reptile fossils.

The district boasts the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History and Lark Quarry.

These attractions are spectacular, world-class facilities, and both are an easy drive from the centre of Winton.

Queensland Dinosaur Trail: Two model dinosaurs outside the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum, Winton, Queensland

Dinosaurs at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History near Winton. Photo: Jocelyn Watts

Queensland Dinosaur Trail: Lark Quarry dinosaur trackways Queensland

Lark Quarry, Winton. Photo: Jocelyn Watts

WINTON PHOTO GALLERY

Extend Your Journey: Boulia and Eromanga Fossil Discoveries

Together, Lightning Ridge and Winton form one of Australia’s most compelling prehistoric road trips — a journey linking opalised fossils in New South Wales to the vast dinosaur landscapes of Outback Queensland.

If you wish to venture further afield while based in Winton, discoveries and a comprehensive display of some of the denizens of the Eromanga Sea can be found in Boulia.

Alternatively, head to Eromanga and the Eromanga Natural History Museum to meet Cooper, the largest dinosaur found in Australia to date.

Travel Insurance for Regional Australia

For rail journeys and extended road trips, comprehensive cover provides peace of mind — especially for mature travellers.

COMPARE TRAVEL INSURANCE OPTIONS

If you go: Queensland Dinosaur Trail

Base: Winton, Outback Queensland
Distance from Longreach: Approx. 180 km (2 hours)
Distance from Brisbane: Approx. 1,350 km (15–16 hours by road)

Best time to visit: May–September for milder temperatures. Summer heat can exceed 40°C.

Allow: 3–5 days to explore Winton, Lark Quarry and surrounding fossil sites at a relaxed pace.

Don’t miss:

  • Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum

  • Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways

  • Waltzing Matilda Centre

  • Optional side trips to Eromanga and Boulia

Map: View Winton on Google Maps:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Winton+QLD

Continue your journey from Part One at Dinosaur Trails Australia in Lightning Ridge.

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.

 

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