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North West Queensland unearths the ancient giants during Queensland Dinosaur Week 2026

Dinosaur Experiences Australia

From the reef to the red dirt:  North West Queensland unearths the ancient giants

Queensland Dinosaur Week 4-10 May 2026

 

Queensland Dinosaur Week is shaping up to be an unforgettable adventure, and Queensland’s North West is one of the places to be! With internationally acclaimed palaeontologist Dr Dean Lomax joining the line-up, fossil enthusiasts, families, and budding palaeo-artists are in for a rare behind-the-scenes look at Australia’s prehistoric giants.

 

IMAGES and VNR here

Dr Dean Lomax interview here https://vimeo.com/reviews/ac84adab-6d68-4125-8be4-7ca4f816398f/videos/1172508924

 

This iconic region, best experienced by road along the legendary Overlanders Way, invites travellers to follow one of Australia’s most extraordinary prehistoric journeys: where ancient inland seas, giant marine reptiles and land-roaming dinosaurs have left their mark across the landscape. Stretching from Hughenden to Richmond and through to Mount Isa, North West Queensland offers a rare opportunity to experience the full depth of Queensland’s palaeo story; from the age of marine predators in the Eromanga Sea to world-renowned fossil discoveries still being uncovered today.

 

“Queensland Dinosaur Week is a fantastic opportunity to shine a spotlight on the rich prehistoric stories and world-class experiences we have here in North West Queensland. In Richmond, we’re proud to be home to some of the most extraordinary marine reptile fossils ever discovered, telling the story of a time when this region was covered by the ancient Eromanga Sea. Events like Dinosaur Week capture people’s imagination and inspire them to come and experience it for themselves — and that visitation is incredibly important for our regional communities,” said John Wharton AM, Mayor, Richmond Shire Council.

 

Queensland Dinosaur Week Event Highlights – North West Queensland

Visitors to North West Queensland during Queensland Dinosaur Week can experience a dynamic program of events, with Dr Dean Lomax headlining a series of exclusive appearances:

 

• Digging at Dawn with Dr Dean Lomax – Richmond (9–10 May)
  Join Dr Lomax in the field for a rare, hands-on fossil hunting experience. Unearth real marine fossils from the ancient Eromanga Sea and gain insight into how discoveries are made, identified and reconstructed.
• Morning Tea with a Palaeontologist – Kronosaurus Korner, Richmond (8 May)
  Meet Dr Lomax in an intimate setting as he shares stories from his global expeditions, research into marine reptiles and insights into Queensland’s place in the international palaeo story.
• Behind-the-Scenes Fossil Experiences – Richmond
  Take part in “Digging at Dawn” sessions with Trav_Fossils and go behind the scenes at Kronosaurus Korner to see fossil preparation in action and learn from experts working on real specimens.

• Palaeo Illustration Workshops with Zev Landes – Richmond (4–5 May)
  Get creative with free workshops led by renowned palaeo-illustrator Zev Landes, translating fossil science into art and bringing prehistoric creatures to life.

• Sea Monsters of Prehistoric Australia – Palaeontologist Panel, Richmond (7 May)
  Dive into the world of prehistoric oceans at this free panel event hosted by renowned palaeo-illustrator Zev Landes. Featuring Zak Hayman, Rhys Meyerkort and Christina Nielsen-Smith, the session explores the ancient marine reptiles of the Eromanga Sea — including the mighty Kronosaurus — and offers insight into fossil discovery, collection management, and how science is brought to life through storytelling and art.
• ROARsome Dino Scavenger Hunt – Hughenden (All Week)
  A fun, family-friendly adventure through the Flinders Discovery Centre, solving clues while exploring fossils, dinosaurs and the story of the region’s ancient inland sea.
• Riversleigh Fossil Discovery Centre Experiences – Mount Isa (All Week)
  Explore immersive exhibits, join guided tours and discover the World Heritage-listed Riversleigh fossil story through interactive displays and behind-the-scenes insights.
• Riversleigh Fossil Dreaming Tour – Virtual Experience (Available Anytime)
  Experience the stories of Riversleigh from wherever you are through this immersive virtual journey into the World Heritage-listed fossil fields of Boodjamulla National Park on Waanyi Country. Developed by the Waanyi People in partnership with the Queensland Government, this online experience shares cultural knowledge, Dreamtime stories and the extraordinary fossil discoveries that reveal how Australia’s unique wildlife evolved over millions of years.

 

“What makes North West Queensland so special during Queensland Dinosaur Week is the incredible diversity of experiences on offer. You can get your hands dirty on a real fossil dig, take a virtual journey into the World Heritage-listed Riversleigh site through the lens of the Waanyi people, enjoy morning tea with an internationally acclaimed palaeontologist, or take the kids on a dinosaur scavenger hunt. It’s hands-on, immersive and designed to spark curiosity at every age, “said Karen Hanna Miller, Executive Officer, Dinosaur Experiences Australia.

 

“And the best way to experience it all is driving the Overlanders Way - one of Queensland’s great drives - where spectacular landscapes, big skies, colourful country pubs, cattle and cowboys, and welcoming outback towns bring our prehistoric story to life at every stop.”

 

Dinosaur & Fossil Highlights

Visitors can dive into hands-on prehistoric experiences across the region, including:

 

• Meet “Hughie” the Muttaburrasaurus – Hughenden: Come face-to-face with one of Australia’s most iconic dinosaurs at the Flinders Discovery Centre.
• Explore Kronosaurus Korner – Richmond: Discover Australia’s premier marine fossil museum, watch fossil preparation and try your hand at fossil hunting.
• Digging at Dawn & Palaeo Experiences – Richmond: Go behind the scenes with hands-on digs, fossil prep sessions and real palaeontological insights.
• Riversleigh Fossil Discovery Centre – Mount Isa: Uncover one of the world’s most significant fossil deposits through immersive exhibits and guided tours.
• Trace the Ancient Eromanga Sea: Follow the story of a vast inland sea once home to giant marine reptiles across Outback Queensland.

 

A Road Trip Through Deep Time

The best way to experience North West Queensland during Dinosaur Week is by hitting the road. The Overlanders Way connects coastal Townsville to Mount Isa, linking fossil-rich towns and delivering an unforgettable self-drive adventure through vast landscapes, rich heritage and remarkable prehistoric discoveries. From interactive museum experiences and citizen science activities to real fossil digs and encounters with world-leading palaeontologists, this region offers something for families, grey nomads, and curious explorers alike.

 

Unearth the Adventure

Queensland Dinosaur Week is a statewide celebration of prehistoric discovery, bringing together communities, scientists and tourism operators to showcase the state’s globally significant fossil heritage and drive visitation to regional Queensland. In North West Queensland, that story is written in red dirt, ancient seas and extraordinary fossils — inviting visitors to not just see history, but to step into it.

 

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]