Megafauna Central showcases the unique megafauna of Central Australia from the Miocene epoch, about 8 million years ago.
The exciting story of megafauna in Central Australia is presented through displays of the fascinating fossils found at the Alcoota Scientific Reserve, alongside exquisite illustrations, life-size megafauna replicas, Arrernte audio interpretations, and a range of immersive activities that invite children to unearth fossils and interact with palaeontologists in the lab.
Alcoota is an exceptionally rich fossil site located about 150 km north east of Alice Springs, in the centre of Australia (NB: this site is not open to the public). It preserves the abundant bones of 30 species of animal, including many megafauna that were living in the heart of Australia in the late Miocene Epoch, when the Australian deserts were just beginning to form.
Included among these animals was the world’s largest bird, a fearsome crocodile that would more than a match for the biggest modern salty, marsupial ‘lions’, marsupial ‘wolves’ and herds of giant browsing wombat relatives.
What brought all these creatures to one spot and killed them? What can we learn from them about the evolution of Australia’s unique fauna? Come to Megafauna Central to uncover the mystery.
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Information
Opening times
- Monday:
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday:
- Thursday:
- Friday:
- Saturday:
- Sunday:
Closed: Monday 18 December 2023
Closed: Tuesday 19 December 2023
Closed: Wednesday 20 December 2023
Closed: Thursday 21 December 2023
Closed: Friday 22 December 2023
Closed: Saturday 23 December 2023
Closed: Sunday 24 December 2023
Closed: Monday 25 December 2023
Closed: Tuesday 26 December 2023
Closed: Wednesday 27 December 2023
Closed: Thursday 28 December 2023
Closed: Friday 29 December 2023
Closed: Saturday 30 December 2023
Closed: Sunday 31 December 2023
Closed: Monday 1 January 2024
Closed: Tuesday 2 January 2024
Closed: Wednesday 3 January 2024
Closed: Thursday 4 January 2024
Closed: Friday 5 January 2024
Closed: Saturday 6 January 2024
Closed: Sunday 7 January 2024
Closed: Monday 8 January 2024
Closed: Tuesday 9 January 2024
Closed: Friday 29 March 2024
Entry cost
Free entry
Facilities
- Carpark
- Enquiry Desk
- Family Friendly
- Interactive Centre
- Parents Room
- Shop / Gift Shop
- Free Wifi
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Map