Richmond is widely recognised as being one of the most beautiful little towns in Queensland and a town that takes tremendous pride in its appearance. In fact it won the Queensland Tidy Towns Award in 2001. All main streets are wide and centre-plotted with magnificent flowers and shrubbery. The progressive and parochial attitudes of current councillors, council staff and Richmond residents towards their town and shire are known Australia-wide and have resulted in Richmond being one of the most beautiful and progressive outback towns in Australia. Streets are lined with beautiful garden beds, parks and recreation areas and these are always neat, well kept and green. The town has the social and economic facilities and amenities found in much larger towns.

Shire Attractions

Kronosaurus Korner is a museum tourist and educational complex in the heart of Richmond. Currently it comprises the Richmond Marine Fossil Museum, one of the premier marine fossil museums in the world, with its large number of displays and exhibits, its laboratory, educational facilities, theatrette and children￿s activities centre. The $2 million centre and museum was built, and is continually being expanded and improved upon, because of the visionary outlooks of far-sighted Richmond locals and the Richmond Shire Council. It is a classic example of a small country town and shire striving to establish an attraction their town that will also be economically beneficial.

• The Marine Fossil Display was opened in 1995
• Stage 1 of the centre was officially opened in May 1999
• Stage 2 was opened in June 2001

It is doubtful if there is any town in Australia the size of Richmond that has afacility with such highly established credentials as Kronosaurus Korner and the Richmond Marine Fossil Museum.

Background

About 120 million years ago the Great Inland Sea entered Australia and fluctuated in depth and size according to global changes. This area is now called the Great Artesian Basin. Non-marine conditions took over 97.5 million years ago and, with the exception of the present Gulf of Carpentaria, continue to the present day. However, over millions of years marine animals continued to live, die and sink to the bottom of the inland sea ￿ and be deposited in huge numbers in the tracts of land stretching north and south of Richmond, resulting in Richmond becoming the fossil capital of Australia. The fossils on display in the Richmond Marine Fossil Museum are recognised as some of the best in Australia and the world.