FREE EVENT
Chinchilla Fossil Finders is an 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 excavations, 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.
Event Details
Saturday, 9 May 2026
Chinchilla Fossil Finders 9am–1pm Chinchilla Historical Museum
Fossil Film and Food Trucks. 5–8pm Chinchilla Botanic Parkland
Recommended for all ages
Free, no bookings required
For more information: Chinchilla Fossil Finders | Queensland Museum citizen science event