About this Event
Date: Sunday, 22 September, 2024
Start: 8.00 am – 4.30pm
Bring: Hat, sunscreen, water bottle, and comfortable closed shoes. BYO lunch.
Age Requirements: Open to people aged 6 and over. Attendees aged between 6-16 must be accompanied by an adult ticket holder.
Travel: The site is approximately 200km from Alice Springs; the bus trip is expected to take two and a half hours.
Don’t miss this chance to unearth history and make unforgettable memories at the Alcoota Scientific Reserve Discovery Day!
The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) is thrilled to announce an exclusive opportunity to visit the Alcoota Scientific Reserve on Sunday, 22 September, 2024. Normally closed to the public, this remarkable site is home to well-preserved, late Miocene megafauna fossils that provide valuable insights into Australia's prehistoric past.
Participants will embark on a full-day bus tour from Alice Springs to the Alcoota site, guided by expert palaeontologists from MAGNT. The tour promises to be an enlightening experience, offering a detailed geological and historical briefing on one of Australia’s most significant palaeontological sites.
During the event, attendees will enjoy guided tours led by expert palaeontologists from MAGNT. These tours will provide in-depth geological and historical insights into the Alcoota site, renowned for its abundance of well-preserved, late Miocene (~8 million years ago) megafauna fossils. Children and adults alike can engage in hands-on activities, learning to distinguish fossilised bones from geological specimens, bringing the past to life in a fun and educational way. There will also be live demonstrations of fossil excavation techniques, offering a deeper understanding of the meticulous process of uncovering ancient treasures.
In addition to the scientific exploration, guests will have the opportunity to join discussions with scientists, locals and volunteers, delving into captivating stories about the region's megafauna and the significant discoveries made at Alcoota. Participants can enjoy the stunning beauty of Central Australia's outback from a highpoint on the site, offering a unique perspective of the surrounding landscape.
The event also includes a visit to the Engawala Art Centre, where attendees can immerse themselves in the vibrant culture of the community that has inhabited the land for thousands of years, experiencing the rich heritage and creativity of the local artists.
Significance of Alcoota:
The Alcoota Scientific Reserve is a fossil deposit housing the remains of thousands of individual animals from the Late Miocene era (~6-8 million years ago). Known as "the age of mammals," this period boasts diverse examples of larger extinct Australian animals, such as marsupial “rhinos” (diprotodontids), giant flightless birds (dromornithids), crocodiles, and marsupial “wolves” (thylacines).
Listed in the Northern Territory Heritage Register and permanently declared a site of significance in 1995, Alcoota provides invaluable insights into the evolution of the Northern Territory’s animals and climate. The fossil beds tell stories of who we are and what our country looked like as it dried out.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Megafauna Central, 21 Todd Street Mall, Alice Springs, Australia
AUD 132.96
