What’s happening?
Queensland is celebrating National Dinosaur Day on May 7 by showcasing its incredible fossil heritage, including discoveries that date back hundreds of millions of years. From inland giants like Cooper the Titanosaur to Jurassic sauropods near Roma and ancient mammals from Murgon, Queensland is Dinosaur Country—and the story reaches all the way to Central Queensland.
Why it Matters
Dinosaurs help bridge science and regional storytelling. “These aren’t just museum pieces—they’re living links to our deep past,” say local tourism leaders. Queensland’s fossil record is one of the richest in the Southern Hemisphere, and it’s still growing thanks to digs and community involvement.
Local Impact
Though Rockhampton isn’t a dig site itself, it’s within driving distance of Roma—where the Rhoetosaurus brownei was unearthed—and Murgon, home to Australia’s oldest Cenozoic vertebrate fossils. These discoveries have made headlines globally and draw school groups, amateur fossil hunters, and tourists eager to explore Queensland’s dinosaur trail.
By the Numbers:
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Rhoetosaurus brownei, found near Roma, is one of the most complete Jurassic dinosaurs in Australia.
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Eromanga Natural History Museum, west of Roma, houses Cooper—Australia’s largest dinosaur.
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Murgon’s Boat Mountain site contains some of Australia’s oldest fossil mammals and marsupials.
Zoom In
Day-trippers and road trippers from Rockhampton can explore Queensland’s southern dino trail. Eromanga’s Natural History Museum offers fossil labs, behind-the-scenes tours, and up-close experiences with palaeontologists. Murgon reveals rare marsupials and ancient frog species with ties to South America.
Zoom Out
Whether you’re staying home or hitting the road, there are plenty of ways to celebrate. Make DIY fossils, host a dino movie night, read up on prehistoric Queensland, or join online dino challenges. It’s the perfect way to mix fun with education.
What to Look for Next?
Visit dinosaurexperiences.com to map your fossil road trip through Outback Queensland. With school holidays coming, it’s a roar-some time to discover our ancient inland sea.
