Hidden in the depths of rural Queensland is a fossil deposit so amazing that Sir David Attenborough regards it as one of the most important palaeontological sites in the world. Near the Gregory River in north-west Queensland, Boodjamulla National Park has been World Heritage listed for a quarter of a century. And now there is new evidence that the fossil site may be surrounded by thousands more just like it. Palaeontologists at the site have been fascinated by its array of unique megafauna dating from up to 25 million years ago, a time when the now-desert environment was lush rainforest. Snake vertebrae found at Riversleigh are 19 million years old. (Supplied: A Gillespie)
Sir David Attenborough visited the Riversleigh fossil site in 2001. (Supplied: Henk Godthelp) More fossils found at the Riversleigh World Heritage Site.