Dinosaur Stampede National Monument is situated 110km southwest of Winton in Lark Quarry Conservation Park. The Lark Quarry trackways are the only confirmed evidence of a dinosaur stampede in the world, and up until 2018 were the largest collection of dinosaur footprints worldwide. At roughly 95 million years old, it dates back to the Cretaceous Period. The footprints consist of three different dinosaurs: the megaraptorid (large two-legged predator) which caused the stampede of the Coelurosaurs (small two-legged carnivores) and Ornithopods (medium-sized two-legged herbivores). Approximately 3,300 fossilised dinosaur tracks can be viewed.
Interestingly, the stampede scene in Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park was based on the evidence of these Trackways.
In 2002, a new ecologically sustainable building was erected to protect the Trackways and to provide interpretation of the site. In 2004, Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways was one of the first three inductees into Australia’s National Heritage List as the Dinosaur Stampede National Monument.
The road from Winton to Lark Quarry Conservation Park is 75km sealed and 35km unsealed, but it is well maintained. Food and drinks are available at the cafe, with EFTPOS facilities available. Fuel is only available in Winton.
For more information about the Trackways, visit www.australianageofdinosaurs.com, or direct enquiries to the Winton Visitor Information Centre 07 4657 1466.
Lark Quarry Conservation Park, View Map
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