Australian Age of Dinosaurs in Winton, QLD
A trip to Outback Queensland isn’t complete without seeing the dinosaurs in Winton.
The Australian Age of Dinosaurs offers a few different options for different ways to explore and learn about the dinosaurs that lived in the area that is now Winton, Queensland, 96 million years ago.
The Museum of Natural History and the Dinosaur Stampede National Monument at Lark Quarry Conservation Park are in 2 different locations near Winton, but both are part of the Australian Age of Dinosaurs.
My family visited Winton and the Australian Age of Dinosaurs as part of a holiday to Longreach. Many families take the Natural Science Loop, and we are more or less doing that in an unstructured way. No matter how you get there, it is worth seeing.
Before we went, I was confused about the whole thing, but thankfully, a friend told me what to expect and how it is set up.
Keep reading to find out more about these two areas and which dinosaur tour is best for you.
Getting to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs
The Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum is set up at 2 different locations.
Twenty-four kilometers southeast of Winton is the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History, where most of the exhibits are.
If you are driving to Winton from Longreach, it makes sense to book your Museum of Natural History tours on the day you plan to arrive in Winton to avoid backtracking later.
While you can book a tour while you are there, it is best to book in advance, especially during the busy season, because tours often sell out.
The Dinosaur Stampede National Monument at Lark Quarry Conservation Park is located 110 kilometers southwest of Winton.
You do not have to attend both museums on the same day. It makes more sense to spend a night in Winton and go to the Dinosaur Stampede the day after your tour at the Museum of Natural History.
Rather get a ride? Red Dirt Tours leaves from Winton and includes a stop at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History.
Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History
Once you arrive at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History, check in at the front desk.
There is a shop, a cafe, and toilets right near the entrance.
You will receive a guidebook, and depending on what you booked, there will be times written on the front so that you know when to leave for each tour.
Each child receives a kid’s book with a passport for stamps, games, and information about dinosaurs inside.
We booked the 10 am time slot and found that means we will have the Fossil Prep Lab Tour at 10, the Reception Centre and Collection Room Tour at 11, and will head to Dinosaur Canyon and see the March of the Titanosaurs exhibition at 11:45 am.
Arrive early, as it takes time to get to your first location, especially if it is the Fossil Prep Lab.
Fossil Preparation Laboratory
The Fossil Preparation Laboratory is a 10-minute walk or a few minutes’ drive away from reception.
We opted to walk the 500 meters. There are clear signs, and the path is relatively flat the entire time.
As we arrived early, we found the waiting room, which had water and cups to fill up. There are coloring sheets for the kids. Toilets are available in this area as well.
Our tour of the Fossil Preparation Laboratory lasted about 30 minutes. There are chairs scattered throughout the area for anyone who needs to sit down; otherwise, everyone stands the entire time.
The guide talks about where the dinosaur fossils were found and explains the process of preserving them. There are a few specially preserved fossils that visitors are able to touch.
The last area of the tour shows volunteers who are participating in the Prep-a-Dino Experience.
Just want to book the Fossil Prep Lab? Check the current price and book it here!
Prep-a-Dino Experience
Anyone 12+ can participate in the Prep-a-Dino Experience at The Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History.
The experience includes learning how to prepare real dinosaur fossils for display.
Volunteers can choose between a 1, 3, 5, or 11-day experience. Custom experiences are also available.
After 10 days, Prep-a-Dino participants can qualify as honorary technicians, and they can then participate for free.
Kids aged 12-15 need to participate with an adult.
Budget-friendly rooms are available to rent by the night at Malony Lodge or the van park.
Reception Centre and Collection Room
Try to be at the front of the group when entering the Reception Centre and Collection Room so that you can sit in the front.
This 30-minute experience includes learning about dinosaur fossils, which can be seen around the room, and then watching a video. Participants are seated the entire time.
Though we were the last group to enter and sat at the back, we were able to get closer at the end of the tour. The tour guide stayed back and answered all of our kids’ questions about the dinosaur fossils.
Are you looking for more fun things to do in Winton?
March of the Titanosaurs Exhibition
A tram takes groups to the March of the Titanosaurs Exhibition and Dinosaur Canyon. The ride is just a few minutes long.
Once the group arrives, they are offered large umbrellas to block out the sun, sunscreen, and colored pencils that can be used for rubbings during the canyon walk.
Toilets and a water station are also available.
The March of the Titanosaurs Exhibition is inside a building. Tours are brought inside where they can see a 54-meter-long track that was discovered on a property near Winton and includes the footprints of dinosaurs, small mammals, turtles, crocodiles, and more.
Groups are in the March of the Titanosaurs Exhibit for about 30 minutes.
Dinosaur Canyon Outpost
After the March of the Titanosaurs Exhibit, the group is on their own to explore Dinosaur Canyon Outpost.
There is a path through the canyon and information about the dinosaurs that used to live in the area. Statues of the dinosaurs in real-life situations can be seen throughout the canyon.
Each booklet includes blank pages that visitors can use to make rubbings of the dinosaurs on the path.
Groups have 30 minutes to explore the canyon before the tram picks them up and drives back to the reception centre.
Gondwana Stars Observatory
Near the Dinosaur Canyon Outpost is Gondwana Stars Observatory, a dark sky observatory.
3-hour-long tours leave from Winton and take groups to the Gondwana Stars Observatory at night.
Kids must be at least 10 years old to participate in this tour.
Looking for other fun things to do at night in Winton? Check out this sunset tour of Rangeland Rifts.
Dinosaur Stampede National Monument at Lark Quarry Conservation Park
The Dinosaur Stampede National Monument at Lark Quarry Conservation Park is located 110 kilometers outside of Winton.
The road is sealed part of the way, and is a dirt road part of the way. While you do not always need a 4-wheel drive in order to drive on the road, it may be needed after it rains.
Parking is available near reception, though it is a short walk over a bridge. Toilets are available by the parking lot.
Inside the reception is a small shop and a small cafe. There are tables both inside and outside.
Walking paths are located by the building. We opted to walk to the lookout, which isn’t far. Longer paths are available for those who plan and bring food, drinks, and proper attire.
The Dinosaur Stampede Tour starts with a video before the group enters the room, where they can see 3,300 dinosaur footprints and the only known dinosaur stampede in the world.
If you would rather take a tour to the Dinosaur Stampede instead of driving yourself, there is a Dinosaur Stampede Tour including Merton Gorge and a Carisbrooke Station and Dinosaur Stampede Tour. Both tours include pick up from Winton.
Winton Dinosaur Tour Times
If you weren’t quite sure what you wanted to book, hopefully, the information above has helped.
From April until October, the museum is open daily from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
From November to March, the museum is open 6 days a week and is closed on Sundays. The Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum is closed from 24 to 26 December, and from 31 December to 1 January.
Tours depart on the hour from 9 am until 2 pm year-round.
Tour Options Comparison Table
| Collection Room | Fossil Prep Lab | March of the Titanosaurs | Dinosaur Canyon | Dinosaur Stampede | Kronosaurus Korner (Richmond) | Flinders Discovery Centre (Hughenden) | Time Needed | |
| Ultimate Dinosaur Tour | X | X | X | X | 3-4 hours | |||
| Winton Dinosaur Capital of Australia VIP pass | X | X | X | X | X | 2 days | ||
| Australia’s Dinosaur Trail Pass | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | Multiple Days |
Australian Age of Dinosaurs Wrap-Up
When visiting Winton in Outback Queensland, a visit to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum is a must.
Unlike most museums, this is a working museum with discoveries happening. Visitors can see what has been uncovered and how fossils are currently being uncovered.
With many options to choose from, it may be hard to decide which tours to take, but hopefully, this guide helped you.
A friend suggested that we book the VIP tour, and we are all glad that we did. Her suggestion of visiting the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History on our way into Winton was smart and appreciated. No matter what, you pass by this area on the drive from Longreach to Winton.
The Dinosaur Stampede is out of the way, but it was an interesting addition. If you have additional time in Winton, it is worth seeing. If the weather isn’t too hot, plan to hike in the area after your tour.
Though the road from Winton to The Dinosaur Stampede isn’t completely paved, you may not need a 4-wheel drive. Call ahead to find out road conditions before your visit.
Need a place to stay in Winton? Here are some family-friendly options.
Lanie’s Age of Dinosaurs Tips
- Bring a fly net. You may not need it, but if you do, you will definitely be thankful you brought one.
- Wear sunscreen. Most exhibits are inside, but there is some walking and little shade.
- Ask for colored pencils when the kids get their Museum Field Guide
- Take additional colored pencils from the basket before the Dinosaur Canyon Walk if you plan to do rubbings.
- Bring food and water bottles. While food is available at both locations, there isn’t much variety.
- Book the Museum of Natural History on the day you drive to or from Longreach.
Australian Age of Dinosaurs FAQ
The tours generally book out early, so it is important to book the Australian Age of Dinosaurs in advance.
If there are spots available, they can be booked the day of.
The Museum of Natural History is about 30 minutes from Winton, and the Dinosaur Stampede is about an hour and 15 minutes’ drive.
No, you do not need a 4-wheel drive in Winton. Occasionally, there are roads that are not paved where a 4-wheel drive is necessary after it rains.
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