Queensland Launches First Dinosaur Week With Star Scientist

A world-renowned fossil expert just traveled halfway around the globe to celebrate Australia's dinosaur capital, and what he found might surprise you.

Dr. Dean Lomax, an internationally acclaimed paleontologist from the United Kingdom, arrived in Queensland this week for the state's inaugural Dinosaur Week running May 4-10. His journey covered nearly 40,000 kilometers, marking his first visit to Australia and highlighting why Queensland holds a special place in prehistoric discovery.

The timing couldn't be better. Queensland is home to the majority of Australia's dinosaur fossil finds, making it the country's ultimate dinosaur destination. Visitors can stand beside Australia's largest dinosaur in Eromanga, walk through the world's only recorded dinosaur stampede in Winton, and come face-to-face with giant marine predators in Richmond.

Dr. Lomax, a world authority on ichthyosaurs (dolphin-shaped marine reptiles from the dinosaur age), will appear at venues across Winton, Richmond, and Brisbane during the week. He'll meet fossil fans, collaborate with Australian paleontologists, and even lead public fossil digs where anyone can search for real marine fossils alongside him.

Queensland Dinosaur Week introduces the Great Queensland Dinosaur Trail, a first-of-its-kind guide connecting all the state's major fossil sites into one self-drive adventure. The trail links experiences from dinosaur trackways to Ice Age megafauna, creating a comprehensive prehistoric road trip.

Karen Hanna Miller, Executive Officer of Dinosaur Experiences Australia, emphasizes that Queensland's fossil story continues to unfold. Every season brings new discoveries that reshape our understanding of ancient ecosystems. Visitors aren't just observing completed history but stepping into landscapes where active science happens daily.

The week features hands-on fossil digs, museum sleepover events, free citizen science fossil hunting along the Condamine River, and public talks across the state. National Dinosaur Day falls on May 7, with Dr. Lomax joining industry leaders for a special breakfast at Queensland Museum.

The Ripple Effect

This initiative transforms how regional Queensland communities share their scientific heritage with the world. Small outback towns like Winton, Richmond, and Eromanga become gateways to discoveries that rival any international fossil destination. The weeklong celebration positions Queensland as a premier paleo-tourism destination while supporting ongoing research and education.

Local communities have built their regional identity around these discoveries, creating museums, guided experiences, and conservation efforts that bring paleontology from distant academic halls into lived daily experience.

From families seeking adventure to travelers chasing the ultimate outback experience, Queensland Dinosaur Week proves that the most exciting prehistoric discoveries aren't locked behind glass, they're waiting to be found in Australia's heartland.