Sea Monster Field School

Location: Winton QLD, Australia

Season: January 26, 2027 to November 30, 2027

Session Dates: Limited spots available: 26 January–9 February 2027 2–16 November 2027 16–30 November 2027

Application Deadline: November 16, 2027

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: http://www.australianageofdinosaurs.com

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History

Project Director:
David Elliott OAM

Project Description:

The Sea Monster Field School, run by the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History in Winton, Queensland, offers participants the chance to help prepare a remarkable Australian ichthyosaur. Discovered by Tom and Sharon Hurley and acquired by the Museum in 2021 from their extensive collection, this specimen is part of a trove exceeding 40 pallet crates and over 15 tons of fossils.

Participants will gain hands-on experience in fossil preparation, working alongside Museum staff in the Southern Hemisphere’s most productive Fossil Preparation Laboratory and the newly built Exhibition Development Facility. This guided program blends science, adventure and the unique Outback Queensland experience, with the ichthyosaur destined for permanent exhibition once preparation is complete.

The program

Participants will gain hands-on experience in fossil preparation, working alongside Museum staff in the Southern Hemisphere’s most productive Fossil Preparation Laboratory and the newly built Exhibition Development Facility. This guided program blends science, adventure and the unique Outback Queensland experience, with the ichthyosaur destined for permanent exhibition once preparation is complete.

WEEK ONE

• Day 1 – Tuesday Arrive in Winton, settle into the Maloney Lodge Precinct, meet the team and enjoy a welcome dinner with an introductory presentation.
• Day 2 – Wednesday Tour the Museum, complete your Lab induction and begin preparing your assigned fossil.
• Day 3 – Thursday Continue hands-on fossil preparation, with an optional evening night walk.
• Day 4 – Friday Spend a full day in the Laboratory working on your fossil alongside Museum staff.
• Day 5 – Saturday Continue preparation work, followed by an evening presentation from the Collection Manager.
• Day 6 – Sunday Enjoy a day at leisure to relax or explore Winton, finishing with a barbecue dinner.
• Day 7 – Monday Travel to Richmond to visit Kronosaurus Korner, enjoy lunch and take part in a guided fossil-hunting experience.

WEEK TWO

• Day 8 – Tuesday Continue fossil preparation, then enjoy a deluxe BBQ on The Jump-Up Dark-Sky Sanctuary, followed by the Deep-Time Astronomy tour.
• Day 9 – Wednesday Start the day with a scenic helicopter flight before a full day of fossil preparation in the Lab.
• Day 10 – Thursday Spend the day in the Lab, with an optional evening stargazing walk at The Jump-Up Dark-Sky Sanctuary.
• Day 11 – Friday A full day of hands-on fossil preparation alongside Museum staff.
• Day 12 – Saturday Visit Dinosaur Stampede National Monument at Lark Quarry Conservation Park and Carisbrooke Station to explore trackways and walking trails.
• Day 13 – Sunday Continue Lab work, followed by an evening presentation from palaeontologists.
• Day 14 – Monday Wrap up your final day in the Lab, complete assessments and celebrate with a farewell dinner and presentations.
• Day 15 – Tuesday Enjoy a final group breakfast before packing up and departing Winton.

Period(s) of Occupation: Cretaceous Period

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: Two weeks

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: Open to citizen scientists 18 years and older. No prior fossil experience required. Limited to small groups to ensure hands-on training. Meals and accommodation included onsite at the Maloney Lodge Precinct.

Room and Board Arrangements:
FIELD SCHOOL PRICING - King single rooms (shared bathroom) – $5,500 per person (6 available) - Queen rooms (private ensuite, twin-share) – $5,000 per person (4 available) - Single supplements available on request for Queen rooms, though priority will be given to duos. WHAT'S INCLUDED - All meals (self-serve breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner), limited beverages and accommodation at the Museum’s Maloney Lodge Precinct. - Site orientation and WHS induction. - All local transfers within Winton are provided once you arrive. - Hands-on fossil preparation alongside Museum staff, guided excursions to key regional sites, a welcome pack with an exclusive Field School t-shirt and a curated program of activities. - At the conclusion, participants are recognised as Honorary Technicians.

Academic Credit:
Not offered