Riversleigh World Heritage Site

Riversleigh’s ancient landscape, part of the Australian Fossil Mammal Sites World Heritage Area, is one of the top 10 fossil sites in the world.

Location: By road, 156km north of the Barkly Highway and 51km south of Lawn Hill Gorge in north west Queensland.

The World Heritage area was inscribed for its outstanding natural universal values. It is one of the most significant fossil deposits in the world and the richest known fossil mammal deposit in Australia. It has revealed records of Gondwanan life forms which existed prior to the break up of this ancient continent.

D Site was one of the first major fossil deposits found at Riversleigh and is the only publicly accessible part of this World Heritage area. Its fossils are from the late Oligocene period, dating back 25 million years. Turtles, fish, snails, crocodiles, lizards, pythons, birds and many types of mammal fossils have all been recovered from D Site.

Riversleigh D Site is the only part of the Riversleigh Australian Fossil Mammal Site open to the public. Stay at the nearby Miyumba camping area.

Camping permits are required and fees apply. A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your camp site. Bookings must be made in advance and permits are not available from the national park.

Looking after the park

• Fossicking for fossils is illegal. Penalties apply.
• Do not empty chemical toilets into the composting toilets. A dump point is provided at Adels Grove, 46km away.
• Rubbish facilities are not provided in the park. Please take your rubbish with you.
• Lighting of fires is not allowed. Bring a fuel or gas stove for cooking.
• Avoid the spread of weeds. Check your clothing and shoes regularly for seeds. If you find any, remove and wrap them and place them in your rubbish bag.

For more information, visit https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/boodjamulla-riversleigh