A cartoon illustration of a palaeontological dig

Chinchilla Fossil Finders


Saturday, 9 May 2026

Chinchilla Fossil Finders
9am–1pm

Fossil Film and Food Trucks
5–8pm

Recommended for all ages

Chinchilla Historical Museum
Chinchilla Botanic Parkland

Free, no bookings required

Celebrate Queensland Dinosaur Week with us in Chinchilla!

Chinchilla Fossil Finders is the all-ages community event inviting everyone to join in Queensland Museum’s exciting excavation efforts.

Help Queensland Museum experts sort and sieve through local sediment to discover real fossils.  

There will be live fossil excavation, fascinating palaeontology talks, hands-on kids activities, mini train rides and wildlife shows. Plus, you can bring in your own rocks or fossils to be identified by palaeontologists representing Queensland Museum, The University of Queensland and Griffith University. Food and drinks will be available for sale with proceeds supporting the Chinchilla Historical Society.

The fun then continues with a free movie screening with food trucks from 5pm at the Chinchilla Botanic Parkland. Set down your picnic blanket, grab a complimentary popcorn and enjoy two fossil films:

  • 5pm: Megafauna: What Killed Australia’s Giants (PG). 60mins. ABC documentary narrated by Hugh Jackman
  • 6pm: Night at the Museum (PG). 1hr 48 mins. Family comedy starring Ben Stiller. 

Chinchilla is home to a unique geological formation called The Chinchilla Sand, which makes the region rich in 3-million-year-old megafauna fossils from the Pliocene period. 

Bring the whole family for a day of citizen science and fossil fun!

Make it a weekend! View our handy links below to plan your trip to Chinchilla.

 

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