Back

Meet Cooper - the largest dinosaur ever discovered in Australia

Dinosaur Experiences Australia

Meet Cooper - the largest dinosaur ever discovered in Australia during Queensland Dinosaur Week next month

 

Home to ancient inland seas to one of Australia’s most significant dinosaur discoveries, South West Queensland is where the story of giants continues to unfold. The region will roar to life during Queensland Dinosaur Week (4–10 May 2026), inviting visitors to step into a landscape shaped by deep time, where groundbreaking discoveries, hands-on experiences and future-facing museum developments are bringing prehistoric Queensland to life. IMAGES HERE

 

At the centre of it all is Eromanga, home to Australotitan cooperensis - affectionately known as “Cooper” - the largest dinosaur ever discovered in Australia.

 

With Stage 3 of the Eromanga Natural History Museum set to commence from late 2026, plans are underway to transform the visitor experience, with Cooper to be mounted and standing tall, offering visitors the chance to stand beneath one of the largest land animals to ever walk the continent.

 

“There’s never been a better time to visit Eromanga and South West Queensland. Queensland Dinosaur Week is the perfect reason to come now, experience Australia’s largest dinosaur and be part of the story as it continues to unfold. We’re incredibly excited about Stage 3 of the Eromanga Natural History Museum and what it will mean for the future — and we’d love visitors to plan a trip this year, see what’s here now and follow the journey as we bring this next incredible project to life,” said Robyn McKenzie, Eromanga Natural History Museum.

 

South West Queensland is best explored along the Natural Sciences Loop — a circular drive through Charleville, Quilpie, Eromanga, Thargomindah and Cunnamulla, where fossils, opals, artesian waters and vast outback skies converge.

 

Event Highlights – South West Queensland

• Twilight Science Session – Eromanga (6 May)
  An evening of science, storytelling and community discovery exploring the role of citizen science in palaeontology.
• Expert Insights with Dr Scott – Live Broadcast (9 May)
  Discover Queensland’s dinosaur and megafauna story through cutting-edge research and innovation.
• Australian Dinosaur Giants Tour – Eromanga (Daily)
  Meet Cooper up close and explore the fossil preparation labs, workshops and collection centre.
• Hands-On Fossil Preparation Experiences (Daily)
  Work on real dinosaur and megafauna fossils alongside expert technicians.
• Become a Volunteer Fossil Preparator (Ongoing)
  Take part in real scientific discovery and contribute to future research.

 

More Than Dinosaurs – you bet! While the dinosaurs may capture your heart and ignite your imagination, a journey through South West Queensland offers so much more. From the night skies of Charleville’s Cosmos Centre, where the universe unfolds above you, to encounters with endangered bilbies, the region blends science and storytelling at every turn. In Roma, experience the energy of a working cattle town at the saleyards, while further west in Eulo, unwind in natural mud baths shaped by ancient mineral-rich waters. In Cunnamulla, meet the legendary Cunnamulla Fella and soak in artesian hot springs beneath wide-open skies that stretch to the horizon. Across the region, friendly locals, rich outback heritage and landscapes shaped over millions of years create a journey that is as welcoming as it is awe-inspiring.

 

“Queensland Dinosaur Week shines a spotlight on our state’s incredible fossil discoveries and deep-time stories, but it’s also about the journey. We want visitors to experience everything Outback Queensland has to offer — because the towns you pass through on your way to and from your dinosaur adventure are just as memorable, rich in character, and full of stories that make the experience truly unforgettable,” said Karen Hanna Miller, Executive Officer, Dinosaur Experiences Australia.

 

WHY TRAVEL THE NATURAL SCIENCES LOOP?

• Meet “Cooper” – Australia’s largest dinosaur
• Discover opals formed in an ancient inland sea
• Explore Australia’s first hydroelectric power station
• Wander wetlands fed by the Great Artesian Basin
• Stargaze in some of the darkest skies on Earth

 

Extend Your Journey The Natural Sciences Loop connects with:

• The Matilda Way
• The Outback Adventure Way
• The Warrego Way

Link your journey into a broader deep-time exploration across Queensland.

 

What Makes This Loop Unique?

• Prehistoric inland seas

• Dinosaur giants and megafauna
• Opals born from marine sediments
• Artesian water systems millions of years old
• Early renewable energy innovation
• Some of the darkest skies in the Southern Hemisphere

 

QUEENSLAND DINOSAUR WEEK

Event Dates: 4–10 May 2026
National Dinosaur Day: Thursday 7 May 2026
Program & Information: www.dinosaurexperiences.com

 

The GREAT Queensland Dinosaur Trail Pocket Guide is available at participating destinations statewide and online at:  www.dinosaurexperiences.com

 

Queensland Dinosaur Week, anchored by National Dinosaur Day on 7 May, features fossil digs, museum experiences, family-friendly activities, citizen science events and special guest appearances across the state. Whether it’s brushing dust from a 95-million-year-old bone, walking where titanosaurs once roamed, exploring marine reptiles from the vanished Eromanga Sea, or roaming beneath giant skeletons after dark at Queensland Museum—Queensland Dinosaur Week invites visitors of all ages to Unearth the Adventure.

Queensland Dinosaur Week is proudly supported by the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) through Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ), delivered in partnership with participating destinations across the GREAT Queensland Dinosaur Trail, and strengthened by CQUniversity as the official Education Partner, connecting deep-time discovery with future STEM pathways and research leadership. Proudly supported by the Queensland Government—Engaging Science Grants.

Contact details:

Kath Rose 0416 291 493 [email protected]