AusLeisure

Australia's largest dinosaur ever to be discovered is set to go on display to the public with the opening of the Eromanga Natural History Museum in the coming months.

The dinosaur, nicknamed Cooper, was discovered on the outskirts of Eromanga, in south-west Queensland in 2007.

It is set to be officially recognised as a new species; complete with a new scientific name by early next year.

That revelation alone could draw scientists and tourists from around the world to the remote town's new museum.

Queensland Museum Paleontologist Dr Scott Hocknull is currently working on the scientific paper with a small team of scientists.

Dr Hocknull said without the help of the community, the project would never have happened, telling the ABC “the opportunity for this small town to actually become a point of real national pride, there's a great opportunity that we can't miss.”

Several other dinosaur fossil sites have been discovered scattered across the Eromanga basin since 2004.

Dr Hocknull said the world needs to hear about them, adding “every fossil you find out in the west, in south-west Queensland in particular now, we had no idea about any dinosaurs or any fossils really until about 2004."

"I don't think you'd find anywhere else in Australia where such a small community has contributed so much to something which is so nationally significant."

Construction of the Eromanga Natural History Museum began about a year ago after almost 10 years of planning, with Quilpie Shire Mayor Stuart Mackenzie driving the project with his wife, Robyn.

Locals have given about $1 million of in-kind donations including equipment hire and volunteering for the project.

Cooper, which is thought to have lived in the Cretaceous period, will go on display with at least four other similar Titanosaurs including George, Sid, Zac, and Tom.

Both Cooper and Sid are believed to have been trapped in mud before they died and both fossils display evidence of being trampled on by other Titanosaurs.

The site of inland sea 100 million years ago, the vast floodplains left behind as the waters receded came to accumulate dinosaur bones. Fossil fragments were found in Central Queensland as early as the 1920s, but it is only this decade that momentous discoveries of uniquely Australian species of dinosaur have been made. These concentrated bone beds are now considered equal to any major dinosaur quarry in the world.

The Federal Government has been approached for support to develop the next stage of the museum and turn it into an even bigger attraction.

15th June 2015 - NEW CAMPAIGN TO BOOST TOURISM IN OUTBACK QUEENSLAND TOURISM

15th May 2015 -  SOCIAL MEDIA SEEKS TO DRIVE VISITS TO DROUGHT-STRICKEN OUTBACK QUEENSLAND 

17th November 2014 - QUEENSLAND OUTBACK TOURISM OPERATORS SHINE

10th November 2009 - DINOSAUR TRAIL FOR QUEENSLAND OUTBACK 

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.