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Winton, Queensland - The Dinosaur Capital of Australia
- Wander * Explore * Discover
- Sep 1, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: 12 hours ago
Winton, Queensland - The Dinosaur Capital
of Australia
Deep in Outback Queensland, around 1,353 kilometres northwest of Brisbane, Winton is a town where stories echo across red dirt plains. Known as the Dinosaur Capital of Australia and the birthplace of Waltzing Matilda, Winton blends world-class fossil discoveries with bush ballads, pioneering aviation history, and unforgettable outback landscapes. Small in size but huge in character, it’s a place that invites you to slow down, look closer, and stay a little longer.
A Week in Winton
We spent a full week in Winton, and it didn’t take long to feel the warmth of classic outback hospitality. Whilst in Winton, we wandered along the main street, enjoyed a live sheepdog show at the Australian Hotel, and watched a movie at the Royal Open Air Theatre. We also checked out the Musical Fence, the birthplace of Qantas, visited the Waltzing Matilda Cente and went on the Rangelands Rifts and Sunset tour. We visited the Age of Dinosaurs Museum and wandered around Arno’s Wall and the Willie Mar Heritage site.
Elderslie Street & Heritage Streetscapes
Elderslie Street is Winton’s main street, and wandering along its wide footpaths is like stepping into a living history book. Heritage buildings line the street, interspersed with colourful murals and quirky art installations that reflect the town’s creativity and pride in its past.
Waltzing Matilda & Historic Hotels
The North Gregory Hotel holds a special place in Australian folklore. The original hotel on this site was built in 1879 and famously hosted the first live performance of Waltzing Matilda by Banjo Paterson in 1895.
The current Art Deco-style building opened in 1955 and is the fourth hotel to stand here after fires destroyed the earlier versions.
Nearby, the Australian Hotel is another local favourite. Established in 1897 and rebuilt in 1925, it’s the perfect place to relax. We enjoyed pizza and a lively sheepdog demonstration in the beer garden—an experience that felt uniquely outback. Please note this hotel has been sold since our visit.
A Perfectly Preserved Store
The Corfield & Fitzmaurice Store, built in 1916, is listed by the National Trust as one of Australia’s most perfectly preserved old-style general stores. Today, it houses a gift and craft shop along with a small museum featuring dinosaur fossils, shearing memorabilia, and opal displays—a fascinating snapshot of life in western Queensland.
Movies Under the Stars
One of Winton’s standout experiences is the Royal Open Air Theatre, built in 1918. It’s one of only two remaining open-air picture theatres in Australia, the other being in Broome.
You can explore the attached museum during the day, then return in the evening to watch a movie under the stars as the sun sets—an experience that feels both nostalgic and magical. We enjoyed a new release movie with popcorn and drinks in the canvas chairs.
Music, Aviation & Qantas History
Winton’s playful side shines at the Winton Musical Fence, created by percussionist and composer Graeme Leak. This free, hands-on installation encourages visitors to make their own music.
Just nearby is the birthplace of Qantas. The airline’s first board meeting was held in Winton in 1921, and the town proudly marks this milestone with a metal sculpture and cairn detailing Qantas’ early days and first landing ground.
The Waltzing Matilda Centre
The Waltzing Matilda Centre is a must-visit. With state-of-the-art interactive displays, it tells the story of Australia’s most famous song, the Great Shearers’ Strike of 1891, and the broader history of the Winton Shire.
We spent several hours here, including time in the Qantilda Museum, exploring engaging exhibits that bring Winton’s stories vividly to life.
Rangelands, Rifts & Sunset Views
One of the highlights of our stay was the Rangelands Rifts and Sunset Tour with Red Dirt Tours. Travelling by bus to the privately owned Rangelands Station, we walked through dramatic rifts carved by thousands of years of erosion. The tour ended with wine and nibbles at a sunset lookout, where the outback sky exploded into colour—a truly unforgettable experience.
Australian Age of Dinosaurs
No visit to Winton is complete without the Australian Age of Dinosaurs, home to the world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils.
Open seven days a week, the museum offers several ticket options. We chose the Ultimate Tour, which included a self-guided walk through Dinosaur Canyon and guided tours of the March of the Titanosaurs exhibition, the Collection Room, and the Fossil Preparation Laboratory. It’s world-class and surprisingly moving.
You can also book a guided tour of the Age of Dinosaurs from Winton, which includes transfers and entry tickets - Click here for more details.
Arno’s Wall & Willie Mar Heritage Site
Behind the North Gregory Hotel in Arno’s Park stands Arno’s Wall—a two-metre-high, seventy-metre-long wall built from concrete and stone sourced from Arno’s opal mine at Opalton. Embedded within it are everyday objects: motorbikes, lawnmowers, sewing machines, pots, pans, and even a kitchen sink.
A short walk from the town centre lies the Willie Mar Heritage Site, the remains of what is believed to be the last working Chinese market garden in Queensland. Established in 1923, it supplied fresh produce to Winton until flooding destroyed it in 2000.
More things to do in Winton - The Dinosaur Capital
Whether you’re planning a longer outback stay or are fascinated with Dinosaurs here are a couple more tours that are available in Winton.
Dinosaur Stampede & Lark Quarry
One of the most fascinating excursions from Winton is the Dinosaur Stampede at Lark Quarry Conservation Park, where more than 3,000 dinosaur footprints — around 95 million years old — remain preserved in the rock. It’s a remarkable snapshot of prehistoric life and the largest known dinosaur trackway in the world.
During this tour, you’ll travel through mesa country, visit the Dinosaur Stampede at Lark Quarry, learn about the geology and prehistory of the region, and walk the Spinifex Track.
Carisbrooke Station & Dinosaur Stamped - A Full-Day Journey
For an expanded exploration that combines natural history with dramatic outback scenery, there’s also the Carisbrooke Station and Dinosaur Stampede Full Day Tour.
This tour takes you onto private cattle country at Carisbrooke Station, revealing striking escarpment views, iconic rock formations like the Three Outback Sisters, and stories from station life. It then continues to the Dinosaur Stampede site with plenty of time to enjoy lunch and guided walking tours.
Why Winton Is Worth the Journey
Winton is a town where Australia’s stories come together—dinosaurs and drovers, poets and pilots, shearers and storytellers. With its rich history, standout attractions, and unforgettable outback landscapes, it’s a place that stays with you long after you leave.
If you’re travelling through Outback Queensland, Winton isn’t just a stop—it’s a destination that rewards curiosity, time, and a sense of adventure.
Click here for more things to do in Outback Queensland
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