8 May 2012 - Winton to Longreach

Left Winton early in time to get to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs centre just outside Winton. The Age of Dinosaurs is a not for profit organisation established by David Elliot, a local grazier and one of the first people to find large dinosaur bones on his property whilst out mustering sheep. The centre is located on a fantastic spot on the edge of one of the jump ups just outside town with views out over the plains.

The new building with the latest bones was only opened a few weeks earlier on the Easter weekend 2012. The Age of Dinosaurs was established to ensure that dinosaur finds remain in the local area. Handing responsibility over to Government or the QLD museum would mean any finds could end up anywhere in the world.

We spent about 30 mins in the new centre and saw 3 large sets of dinosaur bones. One set from an Australovenator dinosaur, a raptor type theropod, similar to the velociraptor. The second from a Dimantinasaurus, a large sauropod similar to a brontosaurus. The last set was from a newly discovered species that is yet to be formally named. The talk was very interesting and it is great to see such interesting finds occurring in Australia.

We then visited the fossil preparation shed, where they have enough bones to keep them busy for the next 35 years! Preparing dinosaur bones is slow work. There is no shortage of people willing to assist, just a shortages of tool and kit required for the very fiddly work.

After our visit we jumped in the car and left dinosaur country behind on our way to Longreach. On reaching Longreach we headed to tourist information to look at camping options. Local council has set up a free camping area next to the Thompson River just north of town. No power nor showers but you can never argue with free so we headed up there and it turned out to be a very pleasant spot. A walk over the bridge, playing poo sticks, watching the fisherman and looking at trains was a great way to finish the day.