Boodjamulla National Park (Riversleigh Section) - Miyumba Campground

 1 - 2 July 2025

I had wanted to go to Riversleigh Fossil Site for many years, and had even tried to book a tour once, but we had yet to organise a visit. This time we were able to include it in our plans to head towards the Gulf of Carpentaria. We packed up and left Mount Isa, and drove north-west along the Barkly Highway until we reached the turn-off that would take us to the Gregory Downs - Camooweal Road. We stopped for a cuppa at a rest area and then continued on. We joined the Gregory Downs - Camooweal Road and were surprised that the bitumen went further than we had expected. It didn't last too long though and we soon had to stop to let some air out of the tyres.

Even though GoogleMaps plots a course that goes all the way to Gregory, we knew there was a turn-off that would take us direct to Riversleigh. It was well sign-posted but there was a temporary sign indicating "road closed". I had checked that morning and there was no indication online that the road was not open so we decided to continue, knowing we might have to turn around as some stage. Not far along we stopped a mine vehicle coming towards us and the driver confirmed that vehicles were getting through. We did come across some new bitumen works, and surmised that the road may have been closed for a short time while it was being laid. As sometimes happens in remote locations, no-one had bothered to remove the sign.

We continued on and crossed several creeks with runnning water. We stopped by the side of the road near one to have a quick picnic lunch and then drove on. We were quite surprised at the amount of water flowing across the causeway at the Gregory River. We were also able to see the effects of recent floods. We missed the entrance into the campground and stopped when we reached the Riversleigh World Heritage Site. As we planned to stop on our way through the following morning we didn't linger, instead heading back the few kilometres to the campground. 

Gregory River crossing south of Miyumba

When booking to camp at Miyumba Campground you don't book an actual site so you can choose the one that suits you once you arrive. We chose a nice big site that would give us some shade, and also some sun for the solar. We had discovered the Anderson plug which provides power to the camper trailer batteries while driving, had been broken on the rough road so getting some solar in was essential.

We went for a walk down to the Gregory River which is nearby and Mick spent some time looking for birds. It wasn't very productive but Miyumba Campground was still a nice spot to spend a night. There was only one other camper there at the time which made for a very peaceful evening.

The following morning Mick walked back to the river, and repaired that broken Anderson plug before we set off to explore Riversleigh D Site. This is the only site open to the public, with interpretive information and a walk that winds up a hill and back down again. Many of the fossils are labelled but a careful look as you walk, reveals so many more. D Site was one of the first sites to be discovered at Riversleigh, and contains 25 million year old fossils of turtles, fish, snails, crocodiles, lizards, pythons, birds, as well as many different types of mammal. 

Fabulous views of the area
from the top of the hill - and there's fossils

After our walk around the site, we had lunch then continued on towards Adels Grove. 

Winton

5 - 7 May

We decided to have a couple of nights in a motel in Winton as a treat for my birthday - and because it was getting too hot to camp. Even though it was nearly the end of autumn, the temperatures were in the low thirties during the day. We had a look around and chose the Outback Motel - close to the shops and pubs, recently updated and reasonably priced. We were able to check in straight away, even thought it was only lunchtime.

We spent the afternoon wandering through the shops (well, it didn't really take that long) and catching up on washing, reading and processing photos - all in air conditioned comfort.

A pair of Brolgas were hanging around the motel hoping for a hand out.

In the morning we made the short trip (about 28 km) to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs - a showcase for the local prehistoric inhabitants. This centre has only been open for a few years and has evolved out of a farmer's passion for the fossilised dinosaur bones he was finding on his property. David and Judy Elliott have embraced their unique finds and have lead the development of this special exhibit.

The building housing the collection room, gift shop and cafe is well designed, borrowing from the surrounding environment.

A view from the top of the jump up.

Visitors are taken on two guided tours - the collection room and the laboratory. This is the only place you can see the specimens being prepared. Each tour takes about 30 minutes with a 30 minute break in between.

On the day we visited, the 10.00 tour was of the collection room where real (not replica) fossils of "Banjo" (a theropod dinosaur) and "Matilda" (a sauropod dinosaur) are on display. Each is the first of its type of dinosaur to be found. The enthusiasm and passion of our young guide was amazing. It seems when you work in the museum, you are also part of the team going into the field collecting specimens and then preparing them back in the lab. No wonder there is so much enthusiasm among the staff.

The fossilised leg bones of Matilda contrasting with the thigh bone of a Brahman bull.

Grace was our ebullient guide in the collection room.

The 11.00 tour was to the laboratory, where you get to see the giant casings containing yet to be processed bones (and other fossils). The centre has an extensive and well set up volunteer program. It was a real treat to see them at work and chat to them about their passion.  Australian Age of Dinosaurs is a non-for- profit organisation and registered charity.

Guide Carlin talks us through the displays in the lab shed.

He prefers to work on delicate fossils such as small crabs and shells.

Volunteers at their delicate and painstaking work, removing the surrounding stone from ancient fossils.

Carlin shows us how it's done (slowly and carefully!).

Now there's another dinosaur in Christie's life.

This is a very interesting way to to spend a few hours and in a beautifully rugged setting.