Once again, a 6:30am alarm so we could prepare for a day out.
But today was slightly different. Whilst She visited the amenities block, He got dressed and grabbed the camera and walked outside of the caravan park to photograph the sunrise at 7:00am.
Once we both returned to the caravan, we had a quick breakfast before joining another two couples to drive to The Age of Dinosaurs Museum where we had booked a 9:45am tour. The museum was located about 25 kilometers away and it took us a good half hour to drive there. The museum is located on the top of a small hill on land that was donated by a local farmer. Surprisingly, no dinosaur fossils have ever been located on this site.
We undertook three separate tours. The first was to a covered display where over a period of three years, a massive rock bed containing dinosaur footprints had been moved to the site for display in a covered environment. There was also an area to observe the night sky from a dark area and a board walk that showcased several exhibits and the scenery beyond.
The Age of Dinosaur web site states “Dinosaur Canyon is located 2km beyond the current Reception Centre and includes:
- a return trip on the Noble Express shuttle, departing from the Reception Centre
- an interpretation of Australian natural history including biodiversity and dinosaurs
- a guided tour of the March of the Titanosaurs exhibition featuring a recently discovered 54-metre-long sauropod tracksite
- four galleries containing life-sized dinosaur exhibits
- pathways and lookouts that are wheelchair accessible and
- the Dinosaur Canyon Outpost shelter building with seating, toilets and drinking water.
The exhibits at Dinosaur Canyon include:
- the March of the Titanosaurs exhibition
- the Dinosaur Stampede exhibit representing the Lark Quarry stampede
- the Pterodactylus Family exhibit
- the Kunbarrasaurus exhibit – all three exhibits featuring life-sized dinosaurs cast in bronze
- the Death in the Billabong exhibit and
- the beginnings of a Cretaceous Garden, the Valley of the Cycads.”
The second tour was of an area where excavate fossils were stored and were being worked on. We spoke to a couple of ladies who were removing dirt and rock of a large fossil which could be the largest fossil they have found so far.
The Age of Dinosaur web site states “During this part of the tour you are guided behind-the-scenes through the most productive Fossil Preparation Laboratory in the Southern Hemisphere. Discover how dinosaurs are found and recovered, and see the remnants of an ancient world with huge sea shells and plant fossils on display. Everyone has the chance to touch a real dinosaur fossil and watch as fossil technicians prepare dinosaur bones for research and display. If you would like to get involved check out our Prep-A-Dino and Dig-A-Dino experiences now. “
The third tour was to a display area where the fossils of several dinosaurs were on display. We also saw a film explaining how the Age of Dinosaurs came about.
The Age of Dinosaur web site states, “The Collection Room houses the only known specimens of Australia’s largest, and most complete carnivorous dinosaur – Australovenator wintonensis, nicknamed “Banjo”, as well as Australia’s most complete sauropod Diamantinasaurus matildae, nicknamed “Matilda” and Savannasaurus elliottorum“Wade”.
Our passionate guides tell the story of “Banjo” and “Matilda” and how they are inextricably linked for eternity. Sit back and enjoy parts of the documentary “Monsters in the Outback” and watch as the fossils are put together and the dinosaurs are brought back to life.”
We refuelled when we returned to Winton and then departed again to have a group photo taken at the Music Wall before heading to the North Gregory Hotel to first see the bush poet, Gregory North perform and that was followed by dinner in the hotel.
Winton has been great, and a major item has been ticked on our bucket list.