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This amazing historical site records a dramatic moment in time 93-million-years ago, when the hot, dusty area outside Winton was once a small prehistoric lake. When a large flesh-eating carnosaur trapped a small dinosaur at the edge of the lake, around 150 coelurosaurs and ornithopods fled in panic. The mud held the footprints which later filled with sand and silt, before eventually compressing and forming rock.
The trackways lay undiscovered until 1962, and were excavated by the Queensland Museum and the Australian Army between 1971 and 1977. The picture above shows the Lark Quarry dinosaur stampede shelter before construction commenced.
As part of the Queensland Heritage Trails Network, $2.5M worth of major conservation work was carried out to preserve this prehistoric marvel for future generations and prevent further deterioration caused by weather conditions.
A new protective shelter has been built over the tracks to conserve the footprints by controlling the temperature, humidity and moisture levels. The picture below was taken in April 2002. The trackways are now open to visitors and guided tours have resumed.
Visitor facilities and interpretation at the site have also been upgraded. |
