Riversleigh World Heritage Area Brochure

ecological and biological processes. processes. biological and ecological processes. biological and ecological

examples representing significant ongoing ongoing significant representing examples ongoing significant representing examples in Queensland. in Queensland. in

stages of earth’s history, and Outstanding Outstanding and history, earth’s of stages Outstanding and history, earth’s of stages

, including Riversleigh, are are Riversleigh, including , 5 — List Heritage World are Riversleigh, including , 5 — List Heritage World

Outstanding examples representing major major representing examples Outstanding major representing examples Outstanding

There are 19 Australian properties on the the on properties Australian 19 are There the on properties Australian 19 are There

experiencemountisa.com.au experiencemountisa.com.au two of the ten World Heritage criteria: criteria: Heritage World ten the of two criteria: Heritage World ten the of two

Amazon Rainforest. Rainforest. Amazon Rainforest. Amazon of years ago. For more information visit visit information more For ago. years of visit information more For ago. years of the World Heritage List in 1994. Both areas meet meet areas Both 1994. in List Heritage World the meet areas Both 1994. in List Heritage World the

Canyon, the Egyptian Pyramids and the the and Pyramids Egyptian the Canyon, the and Pyramids Egyptian the Canyon, within the Riversleigh landscape as it was millions millions was it as landscape Riversleigh the within millions was it as landscape Riversleigh the within Riversleigh and Naracoorte were inscribed on on inscribed were Naracoorte and Riversleigh on inscribed were Naracoorte and Riversleigh

Other World Heritage Sites include the Grand Grand the include Sites Heritage World Other Grand the include Sites Heritage World Other fascinating reconstructions of prehistoric animals animals prehistoric of reconstructions fascinating animals prehistoric of reconstructions fascinating

significance’ to all humanity. humanity. all to significance’ humanity. all to significance’

‘Outback at Isa’ in Mount Isa, Queensland, has has Queensland, Isa, Mount in Isa’ at ‘Outback has Queensland, Isa, Mount in Isa’ at ‘Outback

ancient and mysterious world. mysterious and ancient world. mysterious and ancient

make them universally unique and ‘of ‘of and unique universally them make ‘of and unique universally them make

The Riversleigh Fossil Centre located within within located Centre Fossil Riversleigh The within located Centre Fossil Riversleigh The

have revealed a deeper understanding of an an of understanding deeper a revealed have an of understanding deeper a revealed have outstanding significance that their qualities qualities their that significance outstanding qualities their that significance outstanding

animals and plant species, and such discoveries discoveries such and species, plant and animals discoveries such and species, plant and animals preserving them almost flawlessly. almost them preserving flawlessly. almost them preserving World Heritage areas are places of such such of places are areas Heritage World such of places are areas Heritage World

during a period of Australia’s greatest diversity of of diversity greatest Australia’s of period a during of diversity greatest Australia’s of period a during were rapidly covered by the lime-rich mud, mud, lime-rich the by covered rapidly were mud, lime-rich the by covered rapidly were

WORLD HERITAGE HERITAGE WORLD HERITAGE WORLD

evolutionary stages of Australia’s wildlife. This was was This wildlife. Australia’s of stages evolutionary was This wildlife. Australia’s of stages evolutionary Riversleigh’s case ancient plants and animals animals and plants ancient case Riversleigh’s animals and plants ancient case Riversleigh’s

uncovered exceptional examples of the key key the of examples exceptional uncovered key the of examples exceptional uncovered mineral components needs to occur—in occur—in to needs components mineral occur—in to needs components mineral

of the evolution of Australia’s wildlife. Australia’s of evolution the of wildlife. Australia’s of evolution the of

Palaeontological surveys at Riversleigh have have Riversleigh at surveys Palaeontological have Riversleigh at surveys Palaeontological deposits containing particular chemical and and chemical particular containing deposits and chemical particular containing deposits

diverse mammal fossils, and tells a unique story story unique a tells and fossils, mammal diverse story unique a tells and fossils, mammal diverse

animal or plant has died, burial by sedimentary sedimentary by burial died, has plant or animal sedimentary by burial died, has plant or animal

A VIEW INTO AN ANCIENT WORLD ANCIENT AN INTO VIEW A WORLD ANCIENT AN INTO VIEW A

Riversleigh represents some of the best and most most and best the of some represents Riversleigh most and best the of some represents Riversleigh fossilisation to occur at a given site. After an an After site. given a at occur to fossilisation an After site. given a at occur to fossilisation

Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value. Value. Universal Outstanding their for List Heritage Value. Universal Outstanding their for List Heritage

Very specific conditions are required for for required are conditions specific Very for required are conditions specific Very

tree-climbing crocodiles and horned turtles. horned and crocodiles tree-climbing turtles. horned and crocodiles tree-climbing that they have been inscribed on the World World the on inscribed been have they that World the on inscribed been have they that

other fossilised animals like giant flightless birds, birds, flightless giant like animals fossilised other history. globally-unique Australia’s of knowledge birds, flightless giant like animals fossilised other history. globally-unique Australia’s of knowledge world’s greatest fossil sites—there is little wonder wonder little is sites—there fossil greatest world’s wonder little is sites—there fossil greatest world’s

carnivorous kangaroos, vast numbers of bats and and bats of numbers vast kangaroos, carnivorous our to vastly contribute and years) million 25 last and bats of numbers vast kangaroos, carnivorous our to vastly contribute and years) million 25 last Naracoorte in South Australia are among the the among are Australia South in Naracoorte the among are Australia South in Naracoorte

mammals including wombat-like marsupials, marsupials, wombat-like including mammals (the times Quaternary to Oligocene Late the span marsupials, wombat-like including mammals (the times Quaternary to Oligocene Late the span Riversleigh in North West Queensland, and and Queensland, West North in Riversleigh and Queensland, West North in Riversleigh

and have revealed a plethora of fossilised fossilised of plethora a revealed have and that fossils contains Riversleigh here. formed have fossilised of plethora a revealed have and that fossils contains Riversleigh here. formed have

fossil sites in the world the in sites fossil world the in sites fossil Since this time scientific surveys have continued, continued, have surveys scientific time this Since fossils why reason the are Riversleigh at occur continued, have surveys scientific time this Since fossils why reason the are Riversleigh at occur

the 1960s that the first exploration took place. place. took exploration first the that 1960s the still that processes geological limestone-forming place. took exploration first the that 1960s the still that processes geological limestone-forming

of the most important important most the of important most the of discovered in the early 1900s but it wasn’t until until wasn’t it but 1900s early the in discovered pools—the freshwater mineral-rich lime with until wasn’t it but 1900s early the in discovered pools—the freshwater mineral-rich lime with

Mammal fossils at Riversleigh were first first were Riversleigh at fossils Mammal scattered rainforest lush a once was Riversleigh first were Riversleigh at fossils Mammal scattered rainforest lush a once was Riversleigh

Riversleigh is one one is Riversleigh one is Riversleigh

EXPLORATION UNIQUE ARE FOSSILS RIVERSLEIGH’S EXPLORATION UNIQUE ARE FOSSILS RIVERSLEIGH’S

leaf stem on extremely hot days, turning rock-hard when set. when rock-hard turning days, hot extremely on stem leaf set. when rock-hard turning days, hot extremely on stem leaf

mounds and has a strong smelling resin that drips down its its down drips that resin smelling strong a has and mounds its down drips that resin smelling strong a has and mounds

now dominates Riversleigh’s dry landscape. This grass forms forms grass This landscape. dry Riversleigh’s dominates now forms grass This landscape. dry Riversleigh’s dominates now

, , pungens Triodia grass spear Black rainforest, lush a Once , pungens Triodia grass spear Black rainforest, lush a Once

Riversleigh lies Protection and AUSTRALIAN FOSSIL MAMMAL SITES Riversleigh lies Protection and AUSTRALIAN FOSSIL MAMMAL SITES within the traditional management within the traditional management country of the Waanyi By road, the Riversleigh World Heritage area is RIVERSLEIGH country of the Waanyi By road, the Riversleigh World Heritage area is RIVERSLEIGH 260km north-west of Mount Isa and 60km south 260km north-west of Mount Isa and 60km south Aboriginal people of Lawn Hill Gorge in North West Queensland. WORLD HERITAGE AREA Aboriginal people of Lawn Hill Gorge in North West Queensland. WORLD HERITAGE AREA The Waanyi people know this region as their Visitation to Riversleigh is recommended from The Waanyi people know this region as their Visitation to Riversleigh is recommended from spiritual and sacred Boodjamulla (Rainbow March–October due to the often impassable routes ...one of Queensland’s 5 World Heritage places. spiritual and sacred Boodjamulla (Rainbow March–October due to the often impassable routes ...one of Queensland’s 5 World Heritage places. Serpent) country. This sacred Ancestral Being and high temperatures during the wet season. Serpent) country. This sacred Ancestral Being and high temperatures during the wet season. created many of the region’s striking landscape The Riversleigh World Heritage area extends created many of the region’s striking landscape The Riversleigh World Heritage area extends features. Archaeological deposits and artefacts in across 10,000ha and sits within Boodjamulla features. Archaeological deposits and artefacts in across 10,000ha and sits within Boodjamulla this area establish Aboriginal occupation to (Lawn Hill) National Park. The area is protected, this area establish Aboriginal occupation to (Lawn Hill) National Park. The area is protected, between 30,000 years before present, and today and is managed through coordinated partnerships between 30,000 years before present, and today and is managed through coordinated partnerships the Waanyi continue to feel a deep sense of between the Federal and Queensland the Waanyi continue to feel a deep sense of between the Federal and Queensland responsibility for the safekeeping of this place. The Governments. A World Heritage Advisory responsibility for the safekeeping of this place. The Governments. A World Heritage Advisory Waanyi people's connection to the landscape is Committee with representation from the Waanyi Waanyi people's connection to the landscape is Committee with representation from the Waanyi maintained through cultural practice on their people and the scientific and general community maintained through cultural practice on their people and the scientific and general community traditional homeland. The Waanyi people's strong provide advice relating to research, presentation, traditional homeland. The Waanyi people's strong provide advice relating to research, presentation, association to this country was recognised through management and protection of Riversleigh. association to this country was recognised through management and protection of Riversleigh. the determination of Native Title in 2010. The Riversleigh’s environment has changed the determination of Native Title in 2010. The Riversleigh’s environment has changed Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation was dramatically over time and understanding how Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation was dramatically over time and understanding how established to hold in trust and manage native title these changes occurred and their influence on the established to hold in trust and manage native title these changes occurred and their influence on the rights and interests on behalf of the Waanyi people. animals and plants that lived here, may assist in rights and interests on behalf of the Waanyi people. animals and plants that lived here, may assist in managing this landscape into the future. managing this landscape into the future.

Further information Further information des.qld.gov.au des.qld.gov.au

Queensland’s World Heritage Family includes the Queensland’s World Heritage Family includes the

Rainbow serpent artwork by Len Cubby, WMAC; Graphics inspired from art Cyril Dick Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, the Great Barrier Rainbow serpent artwork by Len Cubby, WMAC; Graphics inspired from art Cyril Dick Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef, the Wet Tropics, Fraser Island and Riversleigh Reef, the Wet Tropics, Fraser Island and Riversleigh World Heritage areas. World Heritage areas.

Front cover artwork by Front cover artwork by Jane Jehne—JungleNook Studio Jane Jehne—JungleNook Studio

ecological and biological processes. processes. biological and ecological

examples representing significant ongoing ongoing significant representing examples

in Queensland. in

stages of earth’s history, and Outstanding Outstanding and history, earth’s of stages

, including Riversleigh, are are Riversleigh, including , 5 — List Heritage World

Outstanding examples representing major major representing examples Outstanding

There are 19 Australian properties on the the on properties Australian 19 are There

experiencemountisa.com.au two of the ten World Heritage criteria: criteria: Heritage World ten the of two

Amazon Rainforest. Rainforest. Amazon of years ago. For more information visit visit information more For ago. years of the World Heritage List in 1994. Both areas meet meet areas Both 1994. in List Heritage World the

Canyon, the Egyptian Pyramids and the the and Pyramids Egyptian the Canyon, within the Riversleigh landscape as it was millions millions was it as landscape Riversleigh the within Riversleigh and Naracoorte were inscribed on on inscribed were Naracoorte and Riversleigh

Other World Heritage Sites include the Grand Grand the include Sites Heritage World Other fascinating reconstructions of prehistoric animals animals prehistoric of reconstructions fascinating

significance’ to all humanity. humanity. all to significance’

‘Outback at Isa’ in Mount Isa, Queensland, has has Queensland, Isa, Mount in Isa’ at ‘Outback

ancient and mysterious world. mysterious and ancient

make them universally unique and ‘of ‘of and unique universally them make

The Riversleigh Fossil Centre located within within located Centre Fossil Riversleigh The

have revealed a deeper understanding of an an of understanding deeper a revealed have outstanding significance that their qualities qualities their that significance outstanding

animals and plant species, and such discoveries discoveries such and species, plant and animals preserving them almost flawlessly. almost them preserving World Heritage areas are places of such such of places are areas Heritage World

during a period of Australia’s greatest diversity of of diversity greatest Australia’s of period a during were rapidly covered by the lime-rich mud, mud, lime-rich the by covered rapidly were

WORLD HERITAGE HERITAGE WORLD

evolutionary stages of Australia’s wildlife. This was was This wildlife. Australia’s of stages evolutionary Riversleigh’s case ancient plants and animals animals and plants ancient case Riversleigh’s

uncovered exceptional examples of the key key the of examples exceptional uncovered mineral components needs to occur—in occur—in to needs components mineral

of the evolution of Australia’s wildlife. Australia’s of evolution the of

Palaeontological surveys at Riversleigh have have Riversleigh at surveys Palaeontological deposits containing particular chemical and and chemical particular containing deposits

diverse mammal fossils, and tells a unique story story unique a tells and fossils, mammal diverse

animal or plant has died, burial by sedimentary sedimentary by burial died, has plant or animal

A VIEW INTO AN ANCIENT WORLD ANCIENT AN INTO VIEW A

Riversleigh represents some of the best and most most and best the of some represents Riversleigh

fossilisation to occur at a given site. After an an After site. given a at occur to fossilisation

Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value. Value. Universal Outstanding their for List Heritage

Very specific conditions are required for for required are conditions specific Very

tree-climbing crocodiles and horned turtles. horned and crocodiles tree-climbing that they have been inscribed on the World World the on inscribed been have they that

other fossilised animals like giant flightless birds, birds, flightless giant like animals fossilised other history. globally-unique Australia’s of knowledge world’s greatest fossil sites—there is little wonder wonder little is sites—there fossil greatest world’s

carnivorous kangaroos, vast numbers of bats and and bats of numbers vast kangaroos, carnivorous our to vastly contribute and years) million 25 last Naracoorte in South Australia are among the the among are Australia South in Naracoorte

mammals including wombat-like marsupials, marsupials, wombat-like including mammals (the times Quaternary to Oligocene Late the span Riversleigh in North West Queensland, and and Queensland, West North in Riversleigh

and have revealed a plethora of fossilised fossilised of plethora a revealed have and that fossils contains Riversleigh here. formed have

fossil sites in the world the in sites fossil Since this time scientific surveys have continued, continued, have surveys scientific time this Since fossils why reason the are Riversleigh at occur

the 1960s that the first exploration took place. place. took exploration first the that 1960s the still that processes geological limestone-forming

of the most important important most the of

discovered in the early 1900s but it wasn’t until until wasn’t it but 1900s early the in discovered pools—the freshwater mineral-rich lime with

Mammal fossils at Riversleigh were first first were Riversleigh at fossils Mammal scattered rainforest lush a once was Riversleigh

Riversleigh is one one is Riversleigh

EXPLORATION UNIQUE ARE FOSSILS RIVERSLEIGH’S

leaf stem on extremely hot days, turning rock-hard when set. when rock-hard turning days, hot extremely on stem leaf

mounds and has a strong smelling resin that drips down its its down drips that resin smelling strong a has and mounds

now dominates Riversleigh’s dry landscape. This grass forms forms grass This landscape. dry Riversleigh’s dominates now

, , pungens Triodia grass spear Black rainforest, lush a Once © Colin Totterdell, Queensland Government Queensland Totterdell, Colin ©

Riversleigh lies Protection and AUSTRALIAN FOSSIL MAMMAL SITES within the traditional management country of the Waanyi By road, the Riversleigh World Heritage area is RIVERSLEIGH 260km north-west of Mount Isa and 60km south Aboriginal people of Lawn Hill Gorge in North West Queensland. WORLD HERITAGE AREA The Waanyi people know this region as their Visitation to Riversleigh is recommended from spiritual and sacred Boodjamulla (Rainbow March–October due to the often impassable routes ...one of Queensland’s 5 World Heritage places. Serpent) country. This sacred Ancestral Being and high temperatures during the wet season. created many of the region’s striking landscape The Riversleigh World Heritage area extends features. Archaeological deposits and artefacts in across 10,000ha and sits within Boodjamulla this area establish Aboriginal occupation to (Lawn Hill) National Park. The area is protected, between 30,000 years before present, and today and is managed through coordinated partnerships the Waanyi continue to feel a deep sense of between the Federal and Queensland responsibility for the safekeeping of this place. The Governments. A World Heritage Advisory Waanyi people's connection to the landscape is Committee with representation from the Waanyi maintained through cultural practice on their people and the scientific and general community traditional homeland. The Waanyi people's strong provide advice relating to research, presentation, association to this country was recognised through management and protection of Riversleigh. the determination of Native Title in 2010. The Riversleigh’s environment has changed Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation was dramatically over time and understanding how established to hold in trust and manage native title these changes occurred and their influence on the rights and interests on behalf of the Waanyi people. animals and plants that lived here, may assist in managing this landscape into the future.

Further information des.qld.gov.au

Queensland’s World Heritage Family includes the

Rainbow serpent artwork by Len Cubby, WMAC; Graphics inspired from art by Cyril Dick by from art inspired Graphics WMAC; Cubby, Len by artwork serpent Rainbow Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef, the Wet Tropics, Fraser Island and Riversleigh World Heritage areas.

Front cover artwork by Jane Jehne—JungleNook Studio Numerous species of crocodile have been discovered Introducing some including the 5m long, Cleaver-headed Baru wickeni. Baru had huge dagger-like teeth and lived around of Riversleigh’s Riversleigh’s freshwater pools about 24 to 16 million years ago. Other species of crocodile discovered at Riversleigh include Mekosuchus sanderi—a small crocodile with a short earlier inhabitants dog-like muzzle resembling a goanna that may have climbed trees, and Trilophosuchus rackhami—a crocodile Due to Australia’s long isolation from other that had three distinct ridge-like crests running along the continents, some of the world’s most distinctive top of its skull. A fossilised crushed skull of a crocodile can animals evolved here—the fossilised bones of be seen along the Riversleigh Fossil Trail (below). some can be seen along the walking track at Riversleigh’s D Site.

Relatives of the now extinct Tasmanian tiger have been discovered at Riversleigh. Nimbacinus dicksoni was a terrier-sized carnivore that hunted through the rainforests that existed here. Illustrations by Jane Jehne – JungleNook Studio

Barawertornis tedfordi was a cassowary-sized flightless bird. The fossilised vertebra and gizzard stones of an even bigger bird species Dromornis murrayi, Hypsiprymnodon bartholomaii was a affectionately known as ‘Big small rat-kangaroo closely related to bird’, can be seen in a large today’s rainforest-dwelling Musky limestone rock beside the rat-kangaroo, but far more primitive. Wakaleo oldfieldi was a track at D Site. Gizzard Unable to hop, it used all four limbs to pouched lion about the size stones are still used by gallop. The Hypsiprymnodon was of a German shepherd. These tree-climbing carnivores had many species—they are mainly frugivorous, eating mostly fruits, two lower incisors that were used to stab prey and powerful swallowed and accumulated nuts and seeds, but would moon-shaped blades on their premolars used for cutting up in the gizzard to help grind occasionally eat other small flesh and bone. up food. animals such as insects.

Keep an eye out for the bauhinia Visit for the day Lysiphyllum cunninghamii that grows up to 6m and has foliage or camp nearby with two leaflets joined like a butterfly’s wings. This tree has a rough black trunk and Riversleigh has provided more knowledge on produces red nectar-rich flowers mammal evolution in Australia than any other that invite birds and insects to fossil site. Riversleigh’s D Site has a small © B Gray, Centre for Australian Biodiversity Research its branches. interpretive shelter and a self-guided interpretive trail. The bluff, once part of a large rainforest lake, Hells Gate Karumba encases hundreds of fossils and is a N 25 million-year-old representation of creatures Normanton that lived here. Some of the most significant fossil Escott Burketown discoveries of mammals, reptiles, fish, and birds have been made at this site, some are still Doomadgee Nicholso ver F n Ri l encased in rock for you to view. i

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Boodjamulla L e v Easy to moderate | 800m return | allow 1 hour i

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The trail has many steps, is steep in places and s o l R F g o n l le re ad m in ig G a p d there is little shelter along the way. x o e Sealed road h l e r D SITE l e s v R A R Riversleigh oad e iv Unsealed road Please help us preserve D Site—visitors are not D e r World Heritage e k C permitted to traverse beyond the walking trail due r l u o Area Locality map B n c u to the highly sensitive values of the area. The Miyumba r ry bush camp Four Ways R i North World Heritage site is under periodic surveillance v Burke and Wills e

d r Queensland to help protect the fossils. er a Roadhouse

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s as l an a h e S w CAMP ’ oo O am s C Two camping areas are available in the national o w n ry D go

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visit qld.gov.au/camping i ax R b

y NORTHERN TERRITORY NORTHERN R t iv Camooweal d er r Accommodation and camping is also available

h h at Adels Grove 50km drive north of D Site, Leic Nowranie W J B r ul email [email protected] or a e il ia r v ls C Camooweal Caves k i r l R D e phone 07 4748 5502. Don y y e National Park H i r e k g h r v w u elo a c pm y n o e l n TOUR RIVERSLEIGH Quamby C ta l R o a Find out more about tour companies that visit d Scale Julia Riversleigh by searching at queensland.com.au 0 50 100km Flin d e r s Highway Creek Mount Isa Cloncurry

Numerous species of crocodile have been discovered Introducing some including the 5m long, Cleaver-headed Baru wickeni. Baru had huge dagger-like teeth and lived around of Riversleigh’s Riversleigh’s freshwater pools about 24 to 16 million years ago. Other species of crocodile discovered at Riversleigh include Mekosuchus sanderi—a small crocodile with a short earlier inhabitants dog-like muzzle resembling a goanna that may have climbed trees, and Trilophosuchus rackhami—a crocodile Due to Australia’s long isolation from other that had three distinct ridge-like crests running along the continents, some of the world’s most distinctive top of its skull. A fossilised crushed skull of a crocodile can animals evolved here—the fossilised bones of be seen along the Riversleigh Fossil Trail (below). some can be seen along the walking track at Riversleigh’s D Site.

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