Sea Monster Field School

Location: Australian Age of Dinosaurs Australia, The Jump-Up Dark-Sky Sanctuary, Lot 1 Dinosaur Dr, Corfield QLD 4733, Australia

Season: January 5, 2026 to February 1, 2026

Session Dates: Group 1: 4–18 January and Group 2: 18 January–1 February

Application Deadline: December 1, 2025

Deadline Type: Exact Date

Website: https://www.australianageofdinosaurs.com/

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Australian Age of Dinosaurs Field School

Project Director:
Grant Salmond

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 Australia’s most complete ichthyosaur fossil. Discovered in 2023 on Toolebuc Station by fossil enthusiast Cass Prince, this seven-metre “Platypterygius australis” is one of the best-preserved marine reptile fossils ever found in Australia.

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 Outback Queensland experience, with the ichthyosaur destined for permanent exhibition once preparation is complete.

Period(s) of Occupation: The ichthyosaur (Australia's most complete) is around 100 million years old.

Notes:
The Field School cost is $4,000 per participant (or $3,500 per duos) and covers all food, housing and day trips for the duration of the school.

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: Each school runs for two weeks.

Minimum Age: 18 years and older

Experience Required: No prior experience is required. We are looking for citizen scientists.

Room and Board Arrangements:
Accommodation On-site at the Museum’s three-star Maloney Lodge Precinct, just 100 m from the Fossil Preparation Laboratory and Exhibition Development Facility. Accommodation is simple, clean and comfortable, fostering camaraderie among participants. Meals All meals are included: self-serve breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Limited alcohol and drinks are supplied.

Academic Credit:
Academic credit is not offered.