DINOSAURS. They might be extinct, but at Hughenden you’ll see them nearly everywhere. In the street. At the local museum. As works of art. Hughenden is dinosaur heaven!

It all dates back to a prehistoric time when Hughenden was on the edge of a vast pre-historic inland sea and was the home of terrestrial dinosaurs as well as marine reptiles. Thousands of fossils have been found in the Flinders Shire and nearly 3000 have been registered with the Queensland Museum.

Meet a replica of a muttaburrasaurus dinosaur at the Flinders Discovery Centre, open seven days from 9.00am to 5.00pm (although it’s closed some public holidays) where you can also buy souvenirs, maps and books.

The first bird-footed dinosaur ever discovered was found in 1963 at Roseberry Downs near Muttaburra but a more complete specimen was discovered on Dunluce Station west of Hughenden. Nicknamed Hughie, the 7m x 3.5m replica is an example of this unique herbivore. Hughie’s mate, Mutt, is an example of how a full-bodied muttaburrasaurus might have looked. This replica can be found at the intersection of Stansfield Street and Gray Street.

Other major finds in the district have included a Hughenden sauropod, a 20m long plant eater from the brachiosaurus family and a flying creature named an Anhanguera, which evolved from the family of pterosaurs. Species discovered in the region include pliosaurs, plesiosaurs, kronosaurus, ichthyosaurs, minmi, ammonites and other marine life. Some of these prehistoric creatures have been brought back to life with huge metal sculptures which adorn the streets of Hughenden.

At the Flinders Discovery Centre, see the sound and light show of how the Porcupine Gorge was formed over 500 million years. It will give you an appreciation of this spectacular landmark before you go out to see it. The Porcupine Gorge National Park, 63km north of Hughenden, has been nicknamed “Australia’s little Grand Canyon”, and offers camping, birdwatching, swimming, wonderful opportunities for nature and landscape photography and a diverse range of flora and fauna. A lookout gives an excellent view of the depth and magnitude of the gorge system. See the gorge from a different vantage point at the camping ground, which is situated at the top of the Pyramid. A walkway winds down into the natural picnic area at the base of the Pyramid. Campers must register with National Parks by phoning 131304 or on the internet at www.qld.gov.au/camping.

Further north of Porcupine Gorge is the Blackbraes National Park. This park offers bush camping to travellers. Birdwatchers will delight in the large water area which attracts an abundance of birdlife.

Other popular activities in the shire include fossicking for peridot gemstones at Chudleigh Park (about 170km from Hughenden) or looking for fossils. Ask for details at the Flinders Discovery Centre.

If you have a 4WD, take some of the easy drives which have been created to give visitors a look at the region’s scenic volcanic basalt countryside and spectacular panoramic views. The colour contrasts in the landscape are amazing and you will see a variety of flora and fauna. Basic strip maps on these 4WD drives have been produced and are available from the information centre.

Back in town, preparing for lunch or dinner couldn’t be simpler. If you’re catering for yourself, drop in to the Hughenden Supermarket for supplies.

Cheng's Chinese Restaurant 31 Brodie Street, Hughenden Qld 4821 Phone/fax (07) 4741 1478 Open seven days - dine in or takeaway (BYO alcohol)

If you’d prefer to eat out, lunch and dinner are available seven days at Cheng’s Chinese Restaurant in Brodie Street. Or you can buy takeaway and have your lunch in the park or dinner back at your accommodation. If you’d like an alcoholic drink with your meal, take your own wine or beer. Non-alcoholic drinks are available at the restaurant.

FJ Holden Cafe 55 Brodie Street, Hughenden Qld 4821 Phone (07) 4741 0254 Fax (07) 4741 1129 Open seven days - sit-down or takeaway meals, cappuccinos, freshly squeezed orange-lemon drinks, milkshakes Email:fjholdencafe56@westnet.com.au

For a cafe meal with a difference, make your way to the FJ Holden Cafe. Even dyed-in-the-wool Ford and Toyota people enjoy a meal there!

Why have a cafe named after a car, anyway? Well, the answer to that is a question: What came first, the FJ Holden or Mr F. J. Holden? Well, Frank can tell you that not only is his name Frank James Holden but it’s a family tradition passed down from grandfather to father to him!

When Frank and Jan reopened the then closed-down cafe, they revamped it to reflect both the family name and the old family car.

And it’s fun eating there. You can enjoy seeing the miniature Holden cars, posters, Brock memorabilia and even old magazines. Plus, if you’re an Elvis fan you’ll see a fair bit of Elvis memorabilia too.

The cafe is open from 8.00am to 8.00pm daily and serves meals, fish and chips, milkshakes, cappuccino and a variety of burgers including the FJ superburger. And if you’re a juice fan, try their famous home-made orange, lemon or half-and-half crush. Icy and refreshing, it’s made from a recipe that’s at least 40 years old and was passed down from the original cafe.

And one last question. What kind of car do the Holdens drive? A Pajero ... but Frank has an old 1953 Special that he’s doing up in his spare time. So at heart he’s really a Holden man.