Make tracks to follow in dinosaur footsteps

BIG FOOTPRINTS: Greg Browne, who found the dinosaur footprints in 2009. PHOTO/SUPPLIED BY GNS SCIENCE

Dinosaur footprints dating back more than 70 million years go on show at the Rotorua Museum from today.

Dinosaur Footprints - A Story of Discovery, tells the story of the finding of dinosaur footprints in northwest Nelson by Greg Browne of GNS Science in 2009.

As well as the first dinosaur footprints found in New Zealand, visitors will see replica fossil bones from earlier dinosaur discoveries in the country, and original illustrations of New Zealand dinosaurs by local Rotorua artist Geoffrey Cox.

In conjunction with the exhibition, well-known geologist and palaeontologist Dr Hamish Campbell, of GNS Science, will be visiting Rotorua Museum on Sunday, September 14, to give two free talks.

Children are invited to come at 11am to Kids Dinosaur Footprints Fun and hear some interesting facts about dinosaurs.

If they dress up as a dinosaur or palaeontologist, they could be in to win prizes.

At 2pm, Dr Campbell will explore the science of dinosaur footprints and uncover some of the mysteries behind the footprints and how they were identified.

For those interested in how to draw a dinosaur, Cox will be at Rotorua Museum on Sunday, October 12, at 2pm. The illustrations on show in Dinosaur Footprints feature in books on New Zealand dinosaurs and a series of New Zealand Post stamps.

Dinosaur Footprints is on at Rotorua Museum runs until October 12. Entry is included with museum admission. Adults $20, seniors $18 and children $8. Entry for Rotorua residents is free with appropriate ID.