Explore prehistoric North Queensland at Cairns Aquarium’s new fossil trail

Giant wombats, meat-eating kangaroos and a tree-climbing crocodile are some of the animals stuck in time at one of Cairns’ newest attractions.

Giant wombats, meat-eating kangaroos and a tree-climbing crocodile are some of the animals stuck in time at Cairns Aquarium’s newest attraction, the Riversleigh Fossil trail.

Visitors are transported 1000km west in the blink of an eye as they step into a 25m cave featuring some impressive finds from one of the world’s richest fossil sites.

Cairns Aquarium CEO Daniel Leipnik said the $500,000 trail told the origin story of some of Australia’s most iconic animals.

“Riversleigh is an amazing part of Australian history, it’s actually the third world heritage listed site in Tropical North Queensland,” Mr Leipnik said.

“And what’s so special about it is that it contains the fossil remains of Australia’s key animals that used to live there 25 to 50 million years ago.”

“At that time, western Queensland was a beautiful tropical rainforest, but as the whole continent dried those animals actually migrated towards the coast and they changed their shape, their diet, and their size to become the key animal groups that we know today.”

The exhibit features a gnarled cave of hanging stalactites, key information and prehistoric fossils frozen in the caves walls.

Mr Leipnik said unlike the precious originals, the replicas were perfect for younger archaeologists dying to touch a fossil and understand what roamed the Far North.

Cairns Aquarium has opened a new attraction, the Riversleigh Fossil Tour, in time for the busy Christmas holiday period. Cairns Aquarium chief executive Daniel Leipnik marvels over a large prehistoric bird-like fossil at the new exhibit, one of four Gondwanna-era fossil recreations on display to the public. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We really think this is going to be a crowd favourite,” Mr Leipnik said.

“Kids love fossils, it really ignites their imagination.

“They love being able to touch and feel these different bones, and actually get a feel for what these animals may have looked like based on their skeletal structures.”

The exhibit took five years from inception and involved archaeologists, special effects team and a helping hand from the state government.

Cairns Aquarium has opened a new attraction, the Riversleigh Fossil Tour, in time for the busy Christmas holiday period. Cairns Aquarium chief executive Daniel Leipnik and Assistant Tourism Minister Bree James inspect a large prehistoric wombat fossil at the new exhibit, one of four Gondwanna-era fossil recreations on display to the public. Picture: Brendan Radke

Member for Barron River and Assistant Minister for Tourism Bree James said the State Government contributed $200,000 towards the project and she was thrilled to see the vision come to life.

“For the average family, travelling 1000km west is not something that we can all do,” Ms James said.

“So to have an opportunity to come and learn about these creatures, learn about our history in Australia and come to a great exhibition like this in our city is extraordinary.

“This exciting exhibition adds more accessible tourism in the North Queensland region especially when it’s a little bit wet, this is a great place to bring the family.”

Originally published as Explore prehistoric North Queensland at Cairns Aquarium’s new fossil trail