First Stop on the inland road heading North towards the Atherton Tablelands – Winton!
The largest of the three towns, Winton has a wonderful outback feel with Opal shops galore, classic pubs and even a horse and carriage ride. The main attraction here is the Age of the Dinosaurs Museum which is located just over 20km out of Winton. Access to the museum is by tour only so make sure to book ahead of time to avoid disappointment. The museum is set up in the hills with beautiful lookouts to enjoy – a wonderful spot to see the stars at night as well. There are three tours available at this museum: the Collection Room, the Fossil Preparation Laboratory and the March of the Titanosaurs exhibition. There is also a lovely boardwalk offering beautiful views of the gorge below as you explore the outdoor galleries lining the pathway. This was a major hit for the kids.
Winton is also the gateway to the Dinosaur Stampede National Monument which is located about 1.5 hours from town. This is accessible by tour only, which can be booked online or at the visitor centre in town. We would highly recommend doing this tour and the Age of Dinosaurs Museum on two different days as there is a lot to take in!
Before leaving Winton be sure to stop in at the famous musical fence and play some tunes, check out Arnos’ strange and wonderful wall of vintage junk, catch a film at the Royal Open-Air Theatre and indulge at the local bakery – the line up might be out the door but it is definitely worth the wait!