The Dinosaurs Unearthed: Explore Prehistoric Queensland exhibition (formerly Lost Creatures) roared into the Queensland Museum, opening to the public on the 16th of June 2023. This impressive exhibition, featuring some old favourites and many new additions, will see dinosaur fans learning, marvelling and exploring the prehistoric species and megafauna spanning the past 250 million years. We decided this permanent exhibition was worth a review in its own right because dinosaurs are so beloved by kids of all ages.
Dinosaurs Unearthed Highlights
- Queensland’s famous Muttaburrasaurus is back on display
- More than 50 life-sized reconstructions of prehistoric species, including 3D printed creatures
- Microscopy
- Over 100 fossils and meteorites on display
- Interactive touchscreens
- High-quality projections and animations
Discovering Dinosaurs Unearthed
The Dinosaurs Unearthed exhibition is housed on Level 2 at the popular Queensland Museum. Entering through the main foyer, head past the shop and temporary exhibitions to discover the dinosaurs and megafuna that roamed the earth millions of years ago.
Children will be keen to explore the gallery, broken into sections according to time periods. Although most exhibits are behind glass (the precious fossils need to be protected) little eyes can still find plenty to look at and discover.
For those who like to be a little more hands-on, head to the Palaeo Lab where you can look inside fossil poo and spew. You can then use the microscope to see magnified versions of fossils.
Perhaps the star of the exhibit, and certainly the biggest creature on display in the gallery is Queensland’s own Muttaburrasaurus. Towering over everyone who enters, this old favourite from Lost Creatures is still just as magnificent as ever.
As you work your way around the exhibit don’t forget to look up – there is plenty to see at eye-level and up above. You can also score a great overview of the entire gallery by heading up to Level 3 and peering out over the balcony. What dinos can you spy?
If little (or big) legs get tired, take a moment to rest and view the high-quality media display, utilising cutting-edge scanning technology to bring fascinating prehistoric creatures to the big screen.
Time Periods on Display at Dinosaurs Unearthed
- Triassic Period (252 MYA – 201 MYA)
- Jurassic Period (201 MYA – 145 MYA)
- Cretaceous Period (145 MYA – 66 MYA)
- Paleogene (66 MYA – 23 MYA)
- Neogene (23 MYA – 2.38 MYA)
- Quarternary (2.3 MYA – TODAY)
What We Loved About Dinosaurs Unearthed
As soon as we entered Dinosaurs Unearthed Miss 8 headed straight for the microscope to check out the fossils and other fascinating items under the glass (including her magnified finger!). Whizzing around the displays and pointing out interesting items, she then enjoyed measuring her height against the leg bone of a rhoetosaurus brownei which was much taller than she was.
We were both fascinated with the detailed animations on the big screen, trying to work out which creature would appear on the screen next and where they would come from. After we finished, we headed up to the next level to look down on the display from above, which is equally impressive.
Dinosaurs Unearthed features
- Dinosaurs Unearthed can be found on Level 2 at the Queensland Museum
- Entry is FREE
- Dinosaurs Unearthed is a permanent exhibition
- The Queensland Museum is open daily 9.30am – 5pm
- Toilet facilities are located throughout the museum including baby change facilities and accessible toilets
- Lifts, stairs and escalators are available
- A cloak room can be found in the foyer
- An onsite museum shop and Café Muse is available
- The museum can be accessed via public transport, walking and car. Parking is available for a fee.
To plan your visit check out this detailed map of the Queensland Museum and make sure you check out Wild State for the best of Queensland flora and fauna before you leave.
Where to Find Dinosaurs Unearthed
Dinosaurs Unearthed can be found at the Queensland Museum, Corner of Grey and Melbourne Streets, South Brisbane.
If you have a dinosaur fan in the house, be sure to check out Where to Find Dinosaurs in Brisbane for more awesome places to discover these prehistoric creatures.
Queensland Museum, Grey Street, South Brisbane 4101
Photos of Dinosaurs Unearthed
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