Winton-Jundah Road
Lark Quarry Conservation Park
Winton
Queensland 4735 Australia

Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways
Winton, Central West

Description

The Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways is the best example of dinosaur tracks in the world.

The Trackways depict the world's only recorded evidence of a Dinosaur Stampede. It features some 3,300 footprints, made by nearly 200 individual dinosaurs, telling a story of a few fateful moments, 95 million years ago. These Trackways inspired the stampede scene in the Steven Spielberg movie Jurassic Park.

During the Cretaceous Period, 95 million years ago, this area was a temperate rainforest surrounding a lake used as a waterhole for many wildlife species. It is believed that the Coelurosaurs and Ornithopods were at the lake until disturbed by a large Carnosaur when possibly it was coming for a drink but discovered a meal instead. The fossilised footprints then show how the Carnosaur stalked for its meal and then grabbed one whilst the other dinosaurs began to flee in panic. It can be seen how they fled because some footprints are embedded on previous footprints of the Carnosaur.

Property Details

Open Times

Other Information

Children:
Children are well catered for. A free children's Activity Book is available on site and children enjoy the dinosaur displays. An animatronic dinosaur is also in the entry foyer.

Disabled:
There is access for guests with a disability.

Access Tour

Tours are available from Winton on a regular basis during April through to September. Carisbrooke Tours run full day tours and Matilda Country Tours run half day tours. Tours in other months are run on a request basis and based on minimum group numbers.

Entity Facilities

There is no shop on site, but there are toilets, limited water and picnic facilities. This is the Outback, so please take food, water, hats and sunscreen with you.

Entity Restrictions

Wet weather access is difficult. Lake Quarry Conservation Park is totally protected. Please note that all plants, animals and features of the landscape must remain undisturbed. Do not walk on the dinosaur trackway surface as it is extremely fragile and easily damaged. Remove your rubbish when you leave. Camping is not permitted in the park and no animal should be brought to the park.

General Comments

Lark Quarry Conservation Park was established to protect this unusual element of natural history and its wonderful setting of red earth, majestic gullies, flat topped mesas and spinifex. A sheltered roof was then erected to protect the Trackways but it was still insufficient to retard their deterioration caused by temperature and humidity fluctuations, water run-off, dust, wildlife and people. Regarded as an important and irreplaceable part of our cultural heritage, an award winning ecologically sustainable designed building was erected in 2002 to protect the Trackways for future generations.

The Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways is one of the first three places to be listed on Australia's National Heritage List in July 2004 and is referred to as the Dinosaur Stampede National Monument on their website.

The three main dinosaur tracks present belong to small tracks from the carnivorous Coelurosaurs, which were about 13 to 22 centimetres at the hip or the size of chickens; medium sized groups of tracks from the herbivorous Ornithopods, which were between 12 to 70 centimetres at the hip or the size of emus; and the large track of one flesh eating Carnosaur, each footprint nearly 60 centimetres long. It would have been 2.6 metres at the hip, a very large dinosaur indeed!

The Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways are set in the most awe inspiring landscape - amid the red earth, spinifex and jump up country. A walk, 'the Spinifex Circuit' is recommended to do after the tour of the Trackways to appreciate the present day flora and maybe some wildlife can be seen along the way.

How To Get There

Lark Quarry is located 110 kilometres south west of Winton, Outback Queensland. Approximately 40 kilometres are sealed and the remainder is on a well maintained all weather road, which is suitable for normal conventional vehicles. Please check road conditions before setting out. Allow around one and a half hours travel time. For self-drive guests, depart Winton and travel on the Winton-Jundah Road following all marked road signs. A drive map is available through the Winton Visitor Information Centre.

Tariff Text

Tickets can be purchased at Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways or at the Winton Visitor Information Centre (Waltzing Matilda Centre). An Attraction Pass, called a Gold Shinplaster, is also available for Single or Family which entitles the holder entry into the Dinosaur Trackways, the Waltzing Matilda Centre, the Dinosaur Display in Corfield and Fitzmaurice building, the Opal Walk and Open Air Theatre Museum.

Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways is part of the new and exciting Australia's Dinosaur Trail which incorporates Kronosaurus Korner, Richmond and Flinders Discovery Centre, Hughenden. A discounted Dinopass is available, which entitles the holder entry into the Dinosaur Trackways, Kronosaurus Korner and Flinders Discovery Centre. The Dinopass can only be purchased at the three attractions.

Entry Costs

* Please note: These rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available costs of listed products and services. To obtain a firm price from the provider, please use the contact the operator. All prices are quoted in Australian dollars.

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