Megafauna Central

About this activity

Megafauna Central is an incredible Alice Springs experience that showcases the unique megafauna that once roamed Central Australia a whopping 8 million years ago!

It's here kids can experience life all those millions of years ago, as they meet the world's largest bird AND even a fearsome crocodile from the Miocene epoch!

How about discovering fascinating fossils and even catch a glimpse of palaeontologists at work in the lab?

Enhancing the Megafauna story at Megafauna Central is a new display that features fossils of the oldest Australian ‘megafauna’ dating back 450 million years ago! How amazing is that?

These fossils originated from central Australia back in the days when life was still almost entirely confined to the seas. (Did you know that the Northern Territory was once under water?) 

Also on display at Megafauna Central are some of the very first animals ever to evolve to giant versions of what we know today, which also is the focus of Megafauna Central.

Kids can also learn about Alcoota which is an exceptionally rich fossil site that can be found about 150 km north east of Alice Springs, right in the heart of Australia.

It's here they preserve the abundance of bones representing 30 species of animal, including many megafauna that were living in the heart of the country in the late Miocene Epoch, about 8 million years ago just when the Australian deserts were just beginning to form. 

Don't miss the Discovery Centre too, which is perfect for kids complete with children's activities!