Dinosaur selected as Queensland’s fossil emblem highlights importance of dinosaur tourism

The seven-metre-long dinosaur, Muttaburrasaurus langdoni, has been selected via a public poll to be Queensland’s fossil emblem. The 100-million-year-old, plant eating dinosaur was discovered in 1963 and named after the Central Queensland town of Muttaburra.

The popularity of Muttaburrasaurus for the State’s official fossil emblem highlights the importance of dinosaur tourism in Outback Queensland.

Queensland Museum Network Chief Executive Dr Jim Thompson said while there was an outstanding line up of nominees for the State’s Fossil Emblem, he couldn’t think of a more worthy winner.

“Muttaburrasaurus has been synonymous with Queensland Museum since it was described by our palaeontologists in 1981, and thanks to the iconic replica skeleton that stands proud within the museum, Queenslanders have come to know and love this home-grown dinosaur over the decades.

“Mutt, as people affectionately call it, is one of the most complete skeletons of an Australian Dinosaur and is a great ambassador for palaeontology and dinosaur history.”

The 12 shortlisted fossils featured dinosaurs from both land and sea, early mammals, and flora, all discovered across Queensland

Of the nearly 9000 votes cast by Queenslanders, the ornithopod emerged as the clear popular choice.

QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk noted “I’m sure it will be an enduring emblem Queensland can be very proud of.

“A scale model of a Mattaburrasaurus named ‘Hughie’ is the star attraction at Hughenden’s Flinders Discovery Centre.

“I encourage Queenslanders to get acquainted with our new fossil emblem by planning a visit to Outback dinosaur destinations.”

Queensland’s rich palaeontology discoveries have generated world-wide interest among experts and have attracted thousands of tourists to the Outback to see the fossils find firsthand.

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said Cooper or Australotitan cooperensis, unearthed west of Eromanga in 2005 was the next most popular fossil.

“Just over 13% of Queenslanders supported Cooper – the largest dinosaur ever found in Australia - as their favourite for the State’s fossil emblem.

“Among the Queenslanders casting their vote, we’ve seen a clear preference for land-based dinosaurs over fossilised plants to best represent the State’s prehistoric past.

“The big winner of our search for the State’s fossil emblem is Outback Queensland tourism where many of the southern hemisphere’s greatest dinosaurs are found.     

“Thousands of visitors travel to Outback Queensland every year to walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs and discover our rich palaeontological history.

“Everybody loves dinosaurs, they generate millions of dollars for the visitor economy, and we want to see Outback Queensland continue to grow as Australia’s paleo capital.

Queensland Museum palaeontologist Dr Scott Hocknull said Queensland’s Muttaburrasaurus was a national icon and global treasure.

“I started volunteering at the Queensland Museum as a kid 30 years ago and Muttaburrasaurus was the first dinosaur fossil I got to work on,” Dr Hocknull said.

“It inspired me then, as it will do for countless budding palaeontologists into the future.

"I used to dig dinosaurs as a kid, but now I do it for real and I can thank Muttaburrasaurus for this.”

The next step in making Muttaburrasaurus the state’s fossil emblem includes amending the Emblems of Queensland Act 2005 to confirm ‘Mutt’s’ official status.

To learn more about Queensland’s emblems, flags and icons visit qld.gov.au/about/how-government-works/flags-emblems-icons

Image: Unearthed in 1963, the Muttaburrasaurus is Queensland's tenth official fossil emblem.