Day 14 Around Winton

We are in dinosaur country. This morning we ventured 110km (55km made, 55km unmade - should see the Land Cruiser) to the southwest along the road to Jundah to the Lark Quarry Conservation Park, where we viewed the 3300 dinosaur footprints immortalised in stone.  The site is covered by a purpose built structure to preserve the footprints. Some superb outback scenery at the site.  This afternoon we visited the Australian Age of Dinosaurs, about 25km to the SE of Winton.  This is the home of the largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils and the most productive fossil preparation laboratory in the southern hemisphere.  This is home to "Banjo", the largest predatory animal discovered in Australia.  The museum is located atop a huge mesa plateau called "The Jump-Up" with large rocky outcrops, cliffs, canyons and some stunning views of the surrounding plains.  Winton is a typical outback town - wide streets, plenty of room and home also of the famous musical fence and of Waltzing Matilda.  Needless to say Banjo Patterson and the name Matilda feature greatly around the town.

200414 Dinosaur footprint at Lark Quarry Conservation Park

200414 The Gnome sitting in the spinifex grass at Lark Quarry

200414 "Waste not, want not" on the Winton-Jundah Road

200414 - Symbolic of a beautiful day travelling back to Winton

200414 "Banjo" (Australovenator Wintonisis) at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs display

200414 Fossil Preservation Laboratory at Australian Age of Dinosaurs

200414 Coming down from "The Jump-Up" Mesa