Dinosaur Stampede at Lark Quarry Conservation Park
Dinosaur Stampede at Lark Quarry Conservation Park
Dinosaur Stampede at Lark Quarry Conservation Park
4.6
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
Closed
About
The dinosaur trackways at the Dinosaur Stampede were formed 95 million years ago when outback Australia was a vastly different place. In stark contrast to the arid climate of today, the landscape was characterised by a great river plain, with towering conifers and lush vegetation interspersed with sandy channels, swamps and lakes brimming with freshwater mussels, lungfish and crocodiles. The climate was humid and cool with an average rainfall of over one metre. It was in this setting that a herd of at least 150 small, two-legged dinosaurs, including carnivorous coelurosaurs about the size of chickens and slightly larger plant-eating ornithopods, came to drink at the edge of a lake. What happened next is immortalised in stone! Over 3,300 footprints of these long-extinct dinosaurs are scattered over the rock face, stark evidence of the terror they must have experienced as they fled the scene upon the arrival of a large theropod. This snapshot of a few terrifying moments has been frozen in time, immortalising the event and making Lark Quarry Conservation Park home to the only known dinosaur stampede in the world. Truly an experience not to be missed!
Duration: 2-3 hours
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4.6
511 reviews
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ragriff
Sydney, Australia159 contributions
Aug 2022
Most of the 210 km road out to this site is unsealed and in places very rough however If your mode of transport can handle it it is a must do. The information centre is a great respite from the sun(and heat) and there is a nice little cafe if you have time to spare. We had previously bought a composite ticket which is able to get access to all four dinosaur sites and greatly saved us the single day entry fee. The guide was incredibly informative with lots of information on what was going on on the mudflats in the possibly 2 to 5 minutes of the stampede that occurred 98 million years ago.
There are two walking tracks that are accessible through the cafe, one 750 meter walk to a lookout is worth the effort, the longer walk should only be done on cooler days or if you are well accustomed to walking in the heat.
There are two walking tracks that are accessible through the cafe, one 750 meter walk to a lookout is worth the effort, the longer walk should only be done on cooler days or if you are well accustomed to walking in the heat.
Written August 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brissy2
Hervey Bay, Australia8,167 contributions
May 2021
It’s unique, authentic and we loved it! Driving from Winton, some of the road is gravel and bitumen and took us about a 1.5hrs - but boy was it worth it. Great countryside along the way too. The complex had a shop, amenities and an outdoor seating area. We went on the 11am tour - duration was 45mins and cost $25 each for seniors. The preserved Dinosaur stampede trackway is inside an air-conditioned building and the viewing platform is above it. The mound in the middle of the display will never be uncovered to protect the footprints (from around 95 million years ago) in case the ones on display are damaged. You can go for a walk on the Spinifex trail outside also. One tip though .. look out for the flies! Man, oh man! Outside they were everywhere and so thick – suggest you pop a fly net over your hat. This stampede trackway is a must see which you won't see anywhere else in the world!
Written April 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suzanne2303
Labrador, Australia1,391 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
We drove the 110km dirt/ bitumen road to Lark Quarry, no trouble at all in our AWD Subaru Forester. We allowed 2 hours and got there in plenty of time. This allowed us to take some photos of the surrounding area, use the toilets, and read the displays at the car park.
We had booked online - recommend this as you don’t want to drive all the way there to find the tour is fully booked.
Our guide was informative without being too wordy. The stampede story and display was amazing. However I found it difficult to take a really good photo of the footprints. My suggestion would be to take heaps of photos from all different angles to try and get some good shots.
We also enjoyed the walk up to the lookout ( not very far but a little steep. Wear sturdy shoes). Spectacular scenery from here and also along the track back to the main building.
We had a picnic lunch in the sheltered shed near the car park, surrounded by the beautiful Outback scenery.
Would absolutely recommend this place. Only Dinosaur Stampede in the world to date!
We had booked online - recommend this as you don’t want to drive all the way there to find the tour is fully booked.
Our guide was informative without being too wordy. The stampede story and display was amazing. However I found it difficult to take a really good photo of the footprints. My suggestion would be to take heaps of photos from all different angles to try and get some good shots.
We also enjoyed the walk up to the lookout ( not very far but a little steep. Wear sturdy shoes). Spectacular scenery from here and also along the track back to the main building.
We had a picnic lunch in the sheltered shed near the car park, surrounded by the beautiful Outback scenery.
Would absolutely recommend this place. Only Dinosaur Stampede in the world to date!
Written September 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KisuKali
Perth, Australia33 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
A 220km round trip from Winton and a $30 entry fee to look at dinosaur footprints, only available as ‘a tour’ at certain (fixed) times. While the significance of the find is clear, the video shown to those on the tour is abysmal, both for quality and content. Much money has been spent building a climate-controlled shed to protect the footprints, but I doubt if the video bill was much over $50. If it was, they should seek a refund. There is so much that could be done with computer graphics to explain both the excavation process, and the stampede itself. As for visiting this site - yes it might be the only ‘dinosaur stampede’ site in the world, but until the Lark Quarry management lift their game, I do not consider it worth the cost of admission or the (considerable) cost of fuel to get there and back. Give this one a miss, folks.
Written June 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mcdougall48
Brisbane, Australia13 contributions
Aug 2021
Our visit to the dinosaur stampede and Carisbrooke Station was with Red Dirt Tours. Vicki (the owner) was an outstanding guide, driver and host for the day and we could not fault the service, the hospitality and the encyclopaedic knowledge that Vicki had of the places we visited. We didn’t know what to expect at Carisbrooke but we were not disappointed. The views were exceptional, the history of the station was very interesting, and this was one the the highlights of the day. The Stampede at Lark Quarry was also exeptional and a once in a lifetime experience. If you’re going, spend a bit more and have Vicki drive you the 260km return journey, much of it on gravel. Worth every cent. Thanks again Vicki!
Written August 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicola A
Sydney, Australia43 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
You may think not yet another drive, 110km to see some dinosaur prints, but the car journey out is so rememberable, feels like the true outback. The tour itself is only around 40mins and the prints are all undercover. My husband and I found it very educational, and mind blowing. Out 10 year old enjoyed it but wasn’t has interested in it as we were. After the tour, we did one of the small walks around the area and got some great photos. This actually was our favourite place on the entire 10 day trip.
Written April 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandra J
Brisbane, Australia112 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
This was worth the 110 kms, majority was sealed or dirt was well graded, we had a 2wd and no problems.
There is a good lookout to view which is just a 5 minute walk from the main area. The attraction is all undercover so no need for sunscreen or hats. There is coffee and ice cream to purchase as well as some gifts. The main attraction is the undercover tour of the footprints which is great and well detailed with a great tour guide who was enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
We enjoyed the footprints and understanding more about the dinsosaurs that roamed over 90 million years ago.
There is little else to see and watch out for the grids and wildlife on the drive there and back.
There is a good lookout to view which is just a 5 minute walk from the main area. The attraction is all undercover so no need for sunscreen or hats. There is coffee and ice cream to purchase as well as some gifts. The main attraction is the undercover tour of the footprints which is great and well detailed with a great tour guide who was enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
We enjoyed the footprints and understanding more about the dinsosaurs that roamed over 90 million years ago.
There is little else to see and watch out for the grids and wildlife on the drive there and back.
Written August 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bev H
Brisbane, Australia221 contributions
Apr 2021
Loved it!
It's hard to believe you are standing where dinosaurs once roamed and the only evidence of a dinosaur stampede in the world. Incredible.
Our guide was informative and happy to answer lots of questions.
The day was too hot to walk too far to check out the countryside but the view was stunning nonetheless
I drove from Longreach to Lark Quarry which I would not recommend. It is 2 hours to Winton then over an hour along a dirt road to the quarry. It was a very long day.
Would highly recommend visiting if you are into history or just into dinosaurs.
It's hard to believe you are standing where dinosaurs once roamed and the only evidence of a dinosaur stampede in the world. Incredible.
Our guide was informative and happy to answer lots of questions.
The day was too hot to walk too far to check out the countryside but the view was stunning nonetheless
I drove from Longreach to Lark Quarry which I would not recommend. It is 2 hours to Winton then over an hour along a dirt road to the quarry. It was a very long day.
Would highly recommend visiting if you are into history or just into dinosaurs.
Written June 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
melbourneros
Point Lonsdale, Australia390 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
Long 110km drive over half unsealed road to get to the Dinosaur Stampede
Monument as it is now called. . Dramatic entrance and small display of fossils around cafe . Too small a space for adequate social distancing with 30+ people so we stayed outside . Enthusiastic staff member showed us to small theatrette for 15 min overview of the history of the site . Benches too crowded. I couldn’t see much scientific evidence. Curtains in theatre opened to reveal undercover footprints of three types of dinosaurs. Hard to hear the presenter in large space and laser pointer ineffective for large space and large group.
Written July 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravellingQldlanders
Morayfield, Australia943 contributions
May 2021
We are extremely lucky as a nation to have this internationally unique site. Firstly, to have a stampede of dinosaurs 95 million years ago, the by chance finding of the site and finally the preservation of the site. There are foot imprints of 3 types of dinosaurs a large theropod, who it is believed started the stampede amongst the chicken-sized theropods called coelurosaurs and ornithipods emu-sized. On site you can clearly see the 3 different footprints. The tour was well presented with a video initially then a walk above the stampede area. 110 km from Winton about 45% on reasonable dirt road, my 2 wheel drive did it easily - it is well worth the trip. You need to book ahead.
I haven't included any of the site photos because of copyright.
I haven't included any of the site photos because of copyright.
Written May 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Planning a trip to outback QLD and going to Winton and out to Lark Quarry late July/early August and was wondering what the road is like driving out there? Trying to hire a car from Longreach and all that we can get is a Camry - even booking now (January). So, I guess my question is - will the Camry be ok or should we just plan a different holiday!
Written January 22, 2024
Road to Lark from Winton is fine for "normal' vehicle - a bit of dirt - just drive to conditions - but mainly black top as I recall - a good map will show you if sealed etc.
Written January 24, 2024
Can we take our small white dog with us on the Lark quarry tour. If not, is there any dog sitting places we can leave her?.
Regards
Anne
Written June 29, 2023
Can you explore on your own or do you have to join a tour?
Written January 23, 2022
It is not an explorer on own thing . The stampede is enclosed in a building and the rangers do tours to explain what is happening and how it was all formed .
Written January 24, 2022
Is WINTON the only place to stay if you’re not camping?
Written May 12, 2019
If you are not camping, there are motels and hotels in both Winton and Longreach and they seem quite reasonable, but not having stayed at any of them I cannot really comment on the standards - perhaps best to read reviews from those who have stayed in one or other of the hotels/motels. Winton id the closer town to Lark Quarry and there are several accommodation options in the town,
Written May 14, 2019
Hi Dimity!
If you had to choose, would it be the Dinosaur Stampede at Lark Quarry or the Dinosaur Centre in Winton? We are on time constraints.
Written April 25, 2016
It depends on a number of things:
- if you have kids and how old they are
- what time you are travelling through (both locations have show times)
- if you are driving yourself or with a tour (if by yourself the type of vehicle you have)
- which direction you are coming from. Age of the dinosaurs is on the road from Longreach so easy to call into. The stampede is maybe an hour out of Winton heading southish
- most of allot depends on what interests you. They are two extremely different experiences. If bones fascinate you go to the Age of the dinosaurs. If the fascination of 95 million year old foot prints (the only such stampede known on the planet) well head to the stampede ground.
I hope this response has been of some assistance.
Dimity
Written April 25, 2016
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