PREP-A-DINO EXPERIENCE
Join the Australian Age of Dinosaurs team in the most productive Fossil Preparation Laboratory in the Southern Hemisphere and learn how to prepare real dinosaur fossils for display. Working with dinosaur bones involves patience, a good eye and a steady hand.
Work undertaken in the Museum’s Fossil Preparation Laboratory includes mechanical preparation of bones, restoration, repairs, consolidation of specimens, sieving, sorting of matrix for micro-fossils and helping to put pieces of the dinosaur puzzle together.
Our Laboratory is open from 9am to 4.30pm, seven days a week.*
* From December to the end of March the Museum, including the Laboratory, is closed on Sundays for the Summer season. The Museum is also closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and sometimes a few extra days at this time of year. For more information, see Plan a Visit.
Package options (Prep-A-Dino experience)
| Ready-to-book packages |
Prices from |
| 1-day Prep-A-Dino Experience plus Ultimate Dinosaur tour |
$99 |
| 3-day Prep-A-Dino Experience plus Ultimate Dinosaur tour |
$229 |
| 5-day Prep-A-Dino Experience plus Ultimate Dinosaur tour |
$359 |
| 11-day Honorary Technician package plus Ultimate Dinosaur tour |
$704 |
Create your own Prep-A-Dino experience
Interested in creating your own custom experience? Enquire now.
| Prep-A-Dino rates |
Prices from |
| Laboratory induction (mandatory and valid for one year) |
$34 |
| Daily preparation rate |
$65 |
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On site accommodation rates: Maloney Lodge (Only available to Prep-A-Dino participants) |
Prices from |
| 1 to 7 nights |
$67 a night |
| 8 to 14 nights |
$60 a night |
| 15 to 21 nights |
$45 a night |
| 21 nights and above |
$30 a night |
|
On site accommodation: rates: van site (Only available to Prep-A-Dino participants) |
Prices from |
|
1 to 7 nights |
$30 a night |
|
8 to 14 nights |
$26 a night |
|
15 to 21 nights |
$22 a night |
|
21 nights and above |
$18 a night |
Prices are valid until 31 December 2023. Ask about our twin discounts and Honorary Technician rates.
INCLUSIONS WITH ALL EXPERIENCES
- A guided tour of the Laboratory where participants learn how we find dinosaurs, how we dig up their gigantic bones and how we clean away the rock they have been entombed in for 95 million years.
- A guided tour of the Collection Room where the only known holotype specimens of Australovenator wintonensis (Banjo), Diamantinasaurus matildae (Matilda & Alex) and Savannasaurus elliottorum (Wade) are housed; Banjo, Matilda and Wade are three of Australia's most complete dinosaur skeletons.
- A guided tour of Dinosaur Canyon by shuttle bus. Travel 2km beyond the current Reception Centre to a spectacular part of The Jump-Up where life-sized dinosaur exhibits cast in bronze sit amongst a prehistoric landscape. Dinosaur Canyon is the Museum's latest tour offering and includes an interpretation of Australian natural history.
- An online induction and training with a senior Museum technician (safety gear provided).
- Membership to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs society including the latest copy of the AAOD Journal.
- A once-in-a-lifetime experience working with 95-million-year-old dinosaurs bones!
QUALIFY AS AN HONORARY TECHNICIAN!
A Prep-A-Dino participant can qualify as an Honorary Technician after completing ten days of preparation and training with the Museum. These days do not need to be consecutive so feel free to book as you go! To qualify as an Honorary Technician, participants are assessed for competence and aptitude by a senior Museum technician. Once you become an Honorary Technician you are able to Prep-A-Dino free of charge, provided you participate in a refresher training session every 12 months. Honorary Technicians still need to book their prepping times, especially during peak tourist session (May to September), as spaces are limited. Positions are allocated on a “first-in” basis.
Note: Participants aged 12 to 15 years must be accompanied by an adult at all times while working in the Laboratory.
CANCELLATION POLICY
30 days’ notice – no charges apply
14 days’ notice – 50% of full package cost per person
7 days’ notice – 100% of full package cost per person
We look forward to meeting you soon!