IN THE TRACKS OF DINOSAURS AT WINTON

29^th August to 31^st August  Longreach to Winton

(In the tracks of Dinosaurs.)

We left the very hospitable town of Longreach and headed off across an increasingly flat, dusty plain towards our next campsite, in the town of Winton.

Winton had been famous for two very popular tourist ventures. It was the birthplace of the Waltzing Matilda song and also the largest Australian Dinosaur fossils had been discovered in the area.

I had been really looking forward to visiting both sites.

Unfortunately just before we left Victor Harbor the huge museum dedicated to “Waltzing Matilda” had been totally destroyed by a very fierce fire and all that was left to look at was molten roofing iron and an old windmill.

We did however, to Paul’s joy, discover another unique musical landmark in Winton, the musical fence and as you can see, although Paul thought the musical fence was a bit tame he thoroughly enjoyed the drum kit that accompanied the fence.

I actually think Paul may be rethinking what he can do with salvaged 44gallon drums and rubbish bin lids.

The visit to “The age of Dinosaurs” exhibit was everything I hoped it would be. 

Look out! Only place in Australia where you find a dinosaur crossing warning!

You are allowed to visit the working laboratory where amateur paleontologists pay for the experience of removing rock from dinosaur fossils. They are removed in the field on David Elliot’s station and wrapped in foil and plaster of paris so they can be stored in the laboratory for the finishing touches. 

Evidence of the forest where dinosaurs roamed in the Australian Outback.

They are then taken from there to the viewing centre where they have laid out the bones in the form of the original body shape.

Vertebra and femur of Matilda, the twenty tonne herbivore. Note the Bullock femur lying beside it as a comparison. She was 30 feet long.

Two dinosaurs were discovered together, a very rare find as usually they are torn apart by other predators and there remains are scattered in a large area. The experts have put together a scenario depicting a small raptor like, carnivorous dinosaur; commonly know as Banjo, attacking a huge 30tonne herbivore , named for the present, as Matilda. Matilda fought off Banjo and killed him, but she too died as they were trapped in a marsh and that is why the amazing discovery. Neither dinosaur has been categorized at present as they are rather new discoveries and scientists have not yet given them a botanical name.

One other interesting feature about Winton is the same station where the dinosaurs were discovered was also hit by a large meteorite a few years ago, and the owner, David Elliot mapped out where it would have landed and found large chunks of the meteorite.

 

Sunset over Winton