SITING
The site was selected to meet the following criteria:

• Wilderness setting
  
  
• Visual attractiveness
  
  
• Proximity to a major highway
  
  
• Proximity (two hours drive) to Longreach airport and railway station
  
  
• Excellent building foundations
  
  
• Ample room for future planning and expansion
  
  
• Multiple additional attractions including bird watching, bushwalking, photography, painting, stargazing, etc
  
  
• Geological and palaeontological relevance
  
  
• Existing ‘travelling public’ infrastructure and facilities at Winton and Longreach
• Freehold tenure

DISTRICT
The Winton district was chosen for the museum site for the following reasons:

Winton Shire has produced more fossil material from large dinosaurs than any other region in Australia. It also has the potential to produce these fossils well into the foreseeable future with several new sites being discovered each year.

Current discovery rates far exceed capacity to recover and prepare this material and the region’s abundance of fossils will fill an important role in sustainable development of the museum over the next 50 years and more.

Winton is centred in the Winton Formation, a geological land formation which was formed approx 95 million years ago from sand and silt deposited by rivers and streams into a retreating inland sea. The blacksoil downs surrounding Winton are merely the weathered remnants of this ancient deposit. Visitors stand on the very same earth that held up the mighty dinosaurs nearly 100 million years ago. The climate, the animals and the environment were very different but the blacksoil dust that is so characteristic of the district today was the same. This being on the spot adds another dimension to the dinosaur experience.

Winton is in very close proximity to Lark Quarry Dinosaur Stampede, a National Heritage Listed Monument, internationally acclaimed as the best example of running dinosaur tracks in the world. Winton is also a major gateway to regional fossil displays at Mt Isa, Boulia, Isisford, Hughenden and Richmond. These combined attractions make the district a very comprehensive destination.

All photos taken on the Jump-Up museum site

CONSERVATION
This project will prevent the current degradation (by feral animals and noxious weeds) of a unique mesa environment that is poorly represented in western Queensland. It will also help protect the habitat and diversity of numerous native plants and animals, many of which are rare in the area and survive in the uniquely sheltered mesa environment.

EDUCATION
Natural history and cultural heritage tours and interpretations promote public awareness of this valuable natural asset and educate children and visitors in conservation and sustainability issues.

SUSTAINABILITY
Construction of mesa facilities will be based on best practices, making use of innovative environmental advancements wherever possible. This includes wind and solar generated electricity and water pumping; nature assisted climate control, and environmentally friendly waste management systems.