Perched on a dramatic mesa — a jump-up — overlooking the plains near Winton, the Australian Age of Dinosaurs holds the largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils in the country and runs one of the most active fossil-preparation programmes in the southern hemisphere. From the working laboratory to the immersive Dinosaur Canyon and the March of the Titanosaurs, it is a world-class experience in a genuinely remote setting. Cooee Tours includes it as a highlight of central-western outback touring.
A World-Class Fossil Collection
The Australian Age of Dinosaurs has grown from a grassroots effort into one of Australia's most important palaeontology centres. Its collection includes famous specimens such as the sauropod nicknamed 'Matilda' and the predator 'Banjo', recovered from the black-soil plains around Winton.
Visitors can tour the working fossil-preparation laboratory and the collection room, watching real science in progress and learning how fossils are recovered, prepared and described. It is a rare chance to see the process behind the headlines.
Dinosaur Canyon & the Jump-Up
Beyond the museum buildings, Dinosaur Canyon is an outdoor gallery set into the edge of the jump-up, where life-sized bronze sculptures and interpretive displays — including the March of the Titanosaurs trackway exhibit — bring the prehistoric world to life against sweeping outback views.
The setting itself is part of the experience: the elevated mesa offers panoramic views across the surrounding plains, and the desert light and big skies make a visit genuinely memorable.
Visiting with Cooee Tours
The Age of Dinosaurs sits in remote country outside Winton, and the various experiences — the laboratory, the collection and Dinosaur Canyon — reward an unhurried visit. On a Cooee Tours itinerary, the timing and logistics are arranged so you can take it all in at a comfortable pace.
Paired with Winton's Waltzing Matilda heritage and the wider Dinosaur Trail, it forms part of one of the most rewarding touring experiences in outback Queensland.
What You'll See
Working Fossil Laboratory
Watch real fossil preparation in progress and learn how Australia's dinosaurs are recovered, prepared and studied.
Collection Room
See famous specimens including the sauropod 'Matilda' and the predator 'Banjo', recovered from the plains around Winton.
Dinosaur Canyon
Walk an outdoor gallery of life-sized bronzes and the March of the Titanosaurs trackway, set against sweeping jump-up views.
Visit the Age of Dinosaurs with Cooee Tours
The Australian Age of Dinosaurs features as a highlight of our central-western outback touring, paired with Winton's Waltzing Matilda heritage and the Dinosaur Trail. Transport, accommodation, meals and guided experiences are all included.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Australian Age of Dinosaurs?
It is Australia's premier dinosaur museum, near Winton, holding the largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils, a working fossil-preparation laboratory and the outdoor Dinosaur Canyon gallery.
Where is the Australian Age of Dinosaurs?
It sits on a jump-up (mesa) in remote country outside Winton, in central-western Queensland, around 1,350 km from Brisbane.
What can you do there?
You can tour the working fossil laboratory and collection room, meet famous specimens like 'Matilda' and 'Banjo', and walk Dinosaur Canyon with its bronze sculptures and trackway exhibit.
Can Cooee Tours include the Age of Dinosaurs?
Yes. It features as a highlight of our central-western outback touring, with timing and logistics arranged so you can enjoy it at a comfortable pace.
When is the best time to visit?
The cooler dry season from April to October is the most comfortable time to visit, as the Winton district becomes very hot in summer.
Travel Agents & Group Organisers
This destination suits coach groups, clubs and social groups touring Outback Queensland. Cooee Tours offers net rates, custom routing and guaranteed departures — get in touch to discuss your group's needs.