Burketown Splash Park Megafauna
Burketown Splash Park
Opening Hours
The Burketown Splash Park is open from 8.30am to 6.30pm, on weekdays and weekends. To activate the splash park, users will need to push the green button on the post that can be found just inside the western entrance (closest to the Nijinda Durlga Hall). This will activate the splash park for approximately 20 mins. To reactivate the splash park after 20 mins press the button again.
Please note that children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times. All rules must be obeyed whilst utilising the facilities.
To report any issues with the splash park please contact Council immediately on (07) 4745 5100.
MEGAFAUNA – BURKETOWN
Dromornis Murrayi – A distant relative of the duck, it’s known as “The Demon Duck of Doom”. Unlike ducks of today, which are great flyers this bird was flightless. Weighing up to 500kg, standing up to 150cm tall and with wings only 10-15 cm long, it was never going to be able to become airborne. It also had a very small brain and it has been said, “If a chicken was silly, then these birds were very much more silly!”. It was discovered at Riversleigh World Heritage Area, near Boodjamulla National Park on the Southern end of Burke Shire.
Diprotodon Optatum –The earliest remains of the largest marsupial to have ever walked this planet date from approximately 1.73 million years to 40,000 years ago. It was the first named Australian fossil mammal. A giant beast, related to modern koalas and wombats, it weighed up to a whopping 3500kg, stood up to 180cm at the shoulder and was about 4 m long from tip of the nose to the end of the tail – though the females were much smaller than the males. It had large and powerful teeth to help it crunch, munch and grind twigs, leaves and buds from woody plants and it may have used its teeth to fight other males during mating season or to defend itself from predators. It roamed in large herds over much of Australia, including the Savannah grasslands of Burke Shire. Indeed the most complete skeleton found in North Australia was found under metres of soil at Floraville Downs Station on the Eastern end of the Shire and these remains can be seen at Outback at Isa in Mt Isa.
Thylacoleo Carnifex – Also known as the Marsupial Lion, these fierce mammals ( the largest carnivorous mammal known to have ever lived in Australia) roamed the grasslands of the interior. Standing up to 75cm at the shoulder, 150cm from nose tip to tail and weighing in, on average, at 100-130 kg, it was a compact but dangerous predator with powerful muscles, sharp teeth and claws. It could not run fast so scientists think it may have ambushed its meals as it seems it was able to climb rocks and trees. It is likely that this large predator would have preyed upon megafauna such as Diprotodons. The Wakaleo was a similar, related carnivore whose fossils have been found at Riversleigh.
If you want to know more about these wonderful creatures and others who roamed the Gulf thousands of years ago, visit:
- Riversleigh Fossil Fields near Boodjamulla National Park
- Outback at Isa in Mt Isa
Check out these websites during your visit: