Lawn Hill, Riversleigh, Mt Isa - Dinosaurs where are the top spots to see them ?

Beddo ,
dont know about butterfly gorge but no camping allowed at bitta springs its only just out of town anyway.the caravan park in town on the road to bitter springs is very good and has barra feeding sessions in the dam. good for the kids.
bitta springs are all natiural you can just float along for 250-300 yards down a creek although its a bit of a challenge to swim back against the current .
ps there is another great set of springs beside the river at Katherine.
enjoy
Howard

Larks quarry about 120 Ks south of Winton . It is the site of a stampede of dinosours that happened some time ago. The National parks mob opened a new shed there mid last year. However the wall of the new building fell in recently and I don't know if it has reopened . Good to see if you like that sort of thing.

Thanks for the tips is there camping or accommodation at Lake Quarry - we were looking at staying at Winton so here sounds good.Cheers, Beddo
Surf KZN185
<- Yengo NP, Central Coast NSW

Thankyou for that - Winton it is - probably be a bit cool I would guess - might whimp out and not put up the tent - save it for Lawn Hill.Cheers, Beddo
Surf KZN185
<- Yengo NP, Central Coast NSW

larks quarry 120 klm SW from winton has to be my favourite dinosaur location in australia
We camped there in 1994 but Im not sure if you can still camp there but it is sooo remote I dont know how it could be policed.

very interesting country - its on the winton- jundah rd and there are lots of places along the diamantina river that are good to visit - Id love to trek from birdsville to winton along this route visiting stonehenge and diamantina national park along the way

Lots of exploring around mataranka even if you just have one of the best pies in Australia with that famous NT beef in it you have done well - the BIG flood a few years ago changed Mataranka so much

kes

There are dinosaur museums at Richmond, Hughenden and Muttaburra in Queensland.A bit out of your way. Yep, Lark Quarry is pretty good. Drive west from there to Cork Station to see the biggest windmill fan in the Southern Hemisphere. Watch out for dead roos on the Matilda Highway! Better take your warm socks and electric blanket with ya, Beddo. I thought all 4wdrivers were tough!!:-)Cheers, Willem
Never a dull moment

The only Butterfly Gorge that I know of is near Douglas Hot Springs which is north-west of Katherine. It is a nice spot in the wet season, if you can reach it. At certain times of the year there are myriads of butterflies swarming through the gorge, hence the name. No camping there but good camp sites at the hot springs. There isn't any free camping near Mataranka as far as I know. There is however a good free stop at Gorrie Airfield, 9km north of Larrimah.Cheers, Willem
Never a dull moment

Beddo, if youve never been ,definitly get you and yours to Richmond,,there is a back track that starts about 20klm north of Winton that takes you thru to Richmond, about 240klm if memory serves correctly,,,realy not to far out of the way if heading to the Kimberley from as Truckster calls it S-iteny. Track is all good dirt unless wet,,good for 80klm per hr in most places towing a camper trailer..

Beddo, when will you be at lawn hill, we are there on 6th & 7th july then across gulf to mataranka & katherine, home via barkley, isa, longreach. We will look out for you .Regards Bob
3 Weeks till Gulf trip

Thanks for all the tips might have to come back to this area - friends are travelling down the Tanami from the Bungles then Alice & Broken Hill - I might come back to Mt Isa way and do this area. I can do the Simpson and Alice next year maybe.Cheers, Beddo
Surf KZN185
<- Yengo NP, Central Coast NSW

Beddo,

Winton area is home for us at moment, in fact was in there today. If you go to Lark Quarry, don't think there is any camping there now. From there you can go across to Old Cork, and camp at the waterhole (over 4 mile long), on Diamantina River, then up the Macunda Stock route road, to Cornpore Hills, on Winton-Boulia bitumen, then turn right and along the bitumen, via Middleton Hotel, back to Winton. The couple at Middleton pub are good hosts too.

Make sure you have a look at the museum out the back of Waltzing Matilda centre in Winton, its worth at least a few hours. They even have a 4WD, 4wheel steer truck, from back in early 20th century. You can get a good feed at the centre, something different from the unhealthy, fast food.

Can recommend Richmond dinosaur centre too, then just lap along the Flinders Hway to the 'Curry, via Julia Creek. Have a safe one... Hooroo...