Explore dinosaur relics while camping near Winton, one of Queensland’s most charming Outback towns.
Australia’s most famous song, Waltzing Matilda, was written at a cattle station just outside the outback Queensland town of Winton. Head to the Waltzing Matilda Centre to learn more, before hitting the Dinosaur Trail for a look back to the time when these giants roamed the land. With a population of just about 1,000, Winton has a lot to offer, including some wonderful old Outback pubs. Stop in for a cool drink at the Art Deco style North Gregory Hotel and hear some bush tunes in the beer garden.
While camping is not allowed in Lark Quarry Conservation Park, it is worth the trip to see the preserved tracks of an 83-million-year-old dinosaur stampede. Combine this with a trip to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History, just 25 kilometres outside Winton. Here you can see palaeontologists working on dinosaur bones found in this region, wander through Dinosaur Canyon, and learn about the night skies.
Known for its scenic drives, Bladensburg National Park is also terrific for spotting kangaroos, emus, and other wildlife. It’s also the closest park to Winton, just 17 km out of town. Camp on the banks of Surprise Creek and watch the abundant birdlife at the shady Bough Shed Waterhole. Wonderful views can be seen from Scrammy Gorge lookout too, while a 45-minute walk takes you to the restored Bladensburg homestead complex.
Daytime temperatures and humidity can be high at any time of the year and nights can be cool, but the cooler months of the year, from April to September, are the best times to visit Winton, as summer daytime temperatures can hit 45°C and higher. In June and July, Winton hosts the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival at one of Australia’s oldest open-air theatres.