FLINDERS DISCOVERY CENTRE AND MUSEUM

Outback Town, Endless Horizons

Follow Australia’s Dinosaur Trail to the welcoming outback town of Hughenden, where the opportunities for discovery and adventure are as vast as the endless horizons. Here you’ll encounter evidence of colossal prehistoric creatures, ancient culture, and authentic tales of life on the land at the Flinders Discovery Centre and Museum.

Located roughly halfway between Townsville and Mount Isa in Northwest Queensland, Hughenden is brimming with dinosaur discoveries, precious natural resources, and the exhilarating freedom of wide open spaces. Set amidst an ancient landscape forged by time and nature, this close-knit country community offers visitors an awe-inspiring experience of the authentic Aussie Outback.

Before venturing out, be sure to pay a visit to the recently expanded Flinders Discovery Centre and Museum. This acclaimed local attraction provides an ideal introduction to the region. As well as serving as an accredited Visitor Information Centre for all your travel planning needs, it features a wealth of exhibits and interactive displays showcasing the region’s rich history – perfectly appealing to all ages.

This captivating region also offers an array of other hidden treasures to unearth. Adventurers and intrepid travellers will delight in exploring our four National Parks, including our Porcupine Gorge, 500 million years in the making and half a day to discover. Follow in the footsteps of dinosaurs and dig beneath the surface to try your hand at finding your own fossil. Time your visit to coincide with some of our iconic events such as camp drafts, country races or the Hughenden Festival of Outback Skies – to experience the true essence of Outback living. Or simply take time to breathe in the fresh country air, have a yarn with our friendly locals, and enjoy a cold beer and warm hospitality at one of the regions great pubs.

From dinosaur discoveries to action-packed adventures, you’ll find it all here in Hughenden!

Flinders Discovery Centre and Museum

The Flinders Discovery Centre and Museum is an ideal first stop on your quest to explore the area.

On entry, you’ll find yourself in our Visitor Information Centre and gift shop, where our friendly staff make you feel instantly welcome. Our centre features an extensive range of information about things to see and do here and further afield, as well as being a booking agent for Queensland Rail. Our staff possess a wealth of local knowledge and insights about our region and are happy to assist with itinerary planning and handy travel tips. Take some time to peruse the souvenirs for sale and consider purchasing your ticket to the adjoining museum.

Museum admission is through sliding glass doors that lead down a corridor towards the back of the building. On entry, videos with audio commentary and captions provide information on the history and attractions of the area, and printed travel information and historical facts adorn the walls, equipping visitors with a deeper understanding of our hometown and the variety of experiences on offer.

In the Museum, history comes to life through an enthralling collection of informative displays, interactive exhibits, and enriching experiences. Information boards and displays showcase the region’s intriguing prehistoric past. Learn about the ancient forests and fearsome reptiles who once inhabited these lands. Exhibits titled ‘Before the Birds’, ‘Land of Lizards’ and the ‘Watery World of Predator and Prey’ offer further insights into the ancient dinosaurs who once dwelled here.

The thrilling ‘Muttaburrasaurus Langdoni exhibit is a highlight for many visitors. An interactive board with push buttons allows you to experience the prehistoric sounds of the Muttaburrasaurus, Pterosaur, Dinosaur Hatchling, and the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex through the magic of technology.

A collection of fossils and our iconic ‘Hughie’, a life-sized, 7-metre replica of a local Muttaburrasaurus, round out the extensive dinosaur displays.

Local History and Hands-on Experiences

Beyond the town’s prehistoric past, Hughenden’s story boasts many chapters of rich heritage, expertly shared through the Museum’s local history installations.

Long before European settlement, the Yirendali people inhabited these lands. Gain deeper insights into their history and culture with the Yirendali Touch Screen, then enter the tranquil space of the Yirendali Theatre, where you can relax and listen to the recital of a poem written by local author, Beryl Hunter.

The Landscape Immersive Threshold is an experience that walks you through the history and culture of Hughenden during colonial times. Five additional screens with push buttons allow you to hear first-hand accounts from residents about their experiences living in Hughenden, offering a rare insight into this town and its close-knit community.

For adventure enthusiasts, a new four-wheel-drive explorer touchscreen offers a wealth of information on local escapes, including art and mural trails, tourist drives, dinosaur discoveries, national parks, and the scenic Mount Walker Lookout. It’s your guide to unlocking the hidden gems of the region.

Young explorers will also delight in our dinosaur-themed play area, complete with interactive elements such as kinetic sandpits concealing hidden fossils and treasures, and interactive touch screens where the young and young-at-heart can colour their own dinosaurs. Budding palaeontologists and artists will love our ‘Best Impressions’ hands-on experience, where they are invited to use egg-shaped crayons and paper to create imprints of different fossils.

The Flinders Discovery Centre and Museum offers a treasure trove of insights to enrich your time here in Hughenden.

More Local Highlights

Beyond the rugged appeal of its sunburnt plains and rich red dirt, Hughenden and the surrounding area offers a wealth of natural treasures and historic gems just waiting to be discovered.

National Parks and Reserves are scattered across this ancient landscape – an adventure playground for four-wheel-drivers, intrepid hikers, and nature lovers alike. Undoubtedly the jewel in the crown is Porcupine Gorge, where you can wander never-ending trails along the creek, with interesting sandstone formations and towering cliffs. Five hundred million years in the making, this magnificent natural feature is a true standout of the region. Other noteworthy natural attractions include the white sandstone formations and complex gorge systems of White Mountain National Park, the basalt outcrops and magnificent flora and fauna of Blackbraes National Park, or true bush camping in the Desert Uplands of Moorrinya National Park. Or take a hike up Mount Walker overlooking Hughenden, where you can breathe in the fresh country air and sense the vastness of space that surrounds you. The sunsets here are spectacular, with a seemingly endless horizon fading from brilliant blues to softer hues of purples, pinks and orange, before darkness unfurls to reveal a boundless night sky filled with a myriad of stars.

For those who prefer a hands-on approach to unearthing the history of the region, we invite you to fossick for your own fossil at our free digging site, just behind the showgrounds. Along with Winton and Richmond, Hughenden is proud to be part of the Australian Dinosaur Trail which highlights the world-class dinosaur discovers and some of the finest fossil-finding areas in northwest Queensland. Our region was once perched on the edge of the great ancient Eromanga Sea, so naturally has an abundance of fossils waiting to be unearthed.

There’s so much to discover here in Hughenden!

Accessibility

Our dedicated team at the Flinders Discovery Centre and Museum warmly welcome all guests and have undergone accessibility awareness training to help them create a more inclusive experience for all.

The Flinders Discovery Centre and Museum is located at 37 Gray Street, Hughenden. Opening hours at the time of publishing were 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (except some public holidays), with weekend hours varying seasonally. To check our current hours, or for any other enquiries please feel free to contact our friendly team by phoning 07 4741 2970 or emailing info@flinders.qld.gov.au.

Hughenden is located in the heart of northwest Queensland, on the fully sealed Flinders Highway (also known as the Overlander’s Way). It’s approximately 4 hours’ drive west of Townsville and six hours east of the outback city of Mount Isa, so self-drive is a popular choice for accessing the town and the surrounding attractions of the Outback. However, arrival by air, coach and rail are also handy options. REX Airlines operates flights between Townsville and Mount Isa, with a stop at Hughenden, several times per week. Greyhound and Queensland Rail’s Inlander passenger train also operate services to and from Hughenden.

Given the town’s remoteness, public transport to the centre itself is not available. However, we do offer accessible parking in front of the centre, within easy reach of the front entrance. A ramp and set of stairs with handrails offer entrance to the building. Please note that the pull/push front door to the centre is wide but heavy, so guests with restricted mobility may require some assistance opening it. Within, the centre and museum are all on one level and are wheelchair accessible. An accessible bathroom is available in the front section of the centre.

Our facility is dog-friendly for both pets and service animals, and grassy areas suitable for toileting your furry friend can be found beside our building.