Toowoomba residents can see the Pre-historic Giants of the Darling Downs for free

Toowoomba residents have the chance to visit for free the world of giant marsupials and reptiles at Cobb and Co. Museum's new exhibition Megafauna – prehistoric giants from the Darling Downs.

On display at Cobb and Co. from October 27, this major new exhibition has been developed by Queensland Museum using the latest scientific research from local sites.

Entry to the exhibition is free for local residents upon presentation of a Toowoomba City Council Library card, thanks to Toowoomba City Council.

Cobb and Co. Museum Director, Deborah Tranter said Australia's Megafauna evolved independently and uniquely from the rest of the world.

"Megafauna evolved after the extinction of dinosaurs and roamed the Darling Downs from 1.8 million to 10,000 years ago," Mrs Tranter said.

"The sites on the Darling Downs are some of the most well-preserved and extensive in Australia, and have played a significant role in Queensland Museum's research into Megafauna, the climatic impacts on Australian Megafauna and its future implications.

"Megafauna – prehistoric giants of the Darling Downs shows the life and death of these fascinating creatures including reconstructions of a Ninjemys oweni, Megalania and Thylacoleo and a Diprotodon optatum graphic demonstrating its immense size and how the fossils pieces fit together.

Visitors to the exhibition will also be able to experience the patience needed by palaeontologists to uncover their discoveries at a pseudo-fossil dig.

Highlights of the exhibition include:

Megafauna – prehistoric giants from the Darling Downs also explores the environment of the Darling Downs during the pleistocene era, how climate changes led to the extinction of Megafauna, how fossils are put together and the role of palaeontologists.

As part of a MegaFamily Fun Day on Sunday, 29 October, visitors to the museum will be able to become palaeontologists for the day and uncover their own piece of these prehistoric giants, and have the opportunity to speak to experts in the field of Megafauna and palaeontology.

MegaFamily Fun Day timetable

10-10.45amIan Sobbe talk

11-11.45amScott Hocknull talk

1-1.45pmDr Gilbert Price talk

10-12 and 1-3pm Palaeontology digs to uncover Megafauna remains

The Cobb and Co. Museum, a campus of the Queensland Museum, is open daily from 10am – 4pm.

For more information contact Cobb and Co. Museum on (07) 4639 1971.

Museum media contact:Leigh Gillick4639 1971