Riversleigh World Heritage Area, Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park Outback Queensland | Tropical North Queensland

Riversleigh D Site is a small limestone outcrop that rises above the surrounding plains. Photo credit: Ellen Thyer © Queensland Government

About Riversleigh

    Park features

    Travel lightly through the Waanyi people’s sacred land.Open larger image

    Travel lightly through the Waanyi people’s sacred land.

    Photo credit: Marnie Augusteyn © Queensland Government

    Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park features spectacular gorge country, sandstone ranges and World Heritage fossils.

    The Riversleigh World Heritage Area is located in the south-eastern section of the national park. 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.

    Looking after the park

    • Respect First Nation people’s culture. Riversleigh, as part of Boodjamulla, represents thousands of years of living culture of special significance to the Waanyi people. This landscape is easily damaged and irreplaceable. We ask that you travel lightly through country and do not enter areas of spiritual and sacred importance to the Wannyi people.
    • Everything in the national park and World Heritage Area is protected.
    • Interfering with fossils or rocks is an offence, penalties apply. Please, leave everything as you find it.
    • Stay on the marked walking track to avoid damage to fossils, native vegetation and to prevent erosion.
    • Do not empty chemical toilets into the composting toilets. A dump point is provided at Wugudaji-Adels Grove, approximately 50km away.
    • Rubbish facilities are not provided in the park. Please take your rubbish with you.
    • Camp fires are not allowed. Bring a fuel or gas stove for cooking.
    • Limit the spread of pests and soil pathogens. Ensure your shoes, clothes, vehicles and all equipment are clean and free of seeds, soil and insects (including ants and their eggs) before you arrive.

    See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

    Park management

    The Waanyi people, Traditional Owners of Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park, and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Partnerships work together to preserve the unique values and beauty of the national park. Management of the World Heritage property is coordinated through a partnership between the Commonwealth and Queensland governments, the Waanyi People and the wider community. The Australian Fossil Mammal Sites World Heritage Ministerial Council coordinates government policies relating to funding, research, presentation and protection of Riversleigh.

    Lawn Hill Gorge was gazetted as national park in December 1984. Prior to this, it was part of a significant cattle grazing property known as Lawn Hill Station. In March 1992 the park was extended to include the Riversleigh World Heritage Area that was part of the neighbouring Riversleigh Station.

    Tourism information links

    Wugudaji Adels Grove
    www.wugudaji-adelsgrove.com.au
    Phone: (07) 4748 5502
    Email: reservations@wugudaji-adelsgrove.com.au

    Outback at Isa & Visitor Information Centre
    www.discovermountisa.com.au

    Mount Isa, Riversleigh Fossil Discovery Centre
    19 Marian Street, Mount Isa Qld 4825
    Phone: (07) 4749 1555

    'At the Creek' Julia Creek Visitor Information Centre
    www.atthecreek.com.au
    34 Burke Street, Julia Creek Qld 4823
    Phone: (07) 4745 7690
    Email: tourism@mckinlay.qld.gov.au

    TerrEstrial Visitor Centre
    Low Street, Georgetown QLD 4871
    Phone: (07) 4079 9027
    Email: terrestrial@etheridge.qld.gov.au

    Croydon 'True Blue' Visitor Information Centre
    www.croydon.qld.gov.au
    Samwell Street, Croydon QLD 4871
    Phone: (07) 4748 7152
    Email: info@croydon.qld.gov.au

    Normanton Visitors Information Centre
    www.barracentre.com.au
    Caroline Street, Normanton Qld 4823
    Phone: (07) 4747 8444
    Email: tourism@carpentaria.qld.gov.au

    For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays.