Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said they had shortlisted 12 fossils symbolising Queensland's natural history, unique landscape and biodiversity.

"Many of the southern hemisphere's best dinosaur finds are in Outback Queensland," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"From land-based dinosaurs and sea predators to crocodiles and ancient fauna and flora, we're now asking Queenslanders to have their say on the fossil that best represents the State's prehistoric age."

The new emblem will join the nine others including the koala, Cooktown orchid, the brolga, sapphire gem, Great Barrier Reef Anemone fish, and an official colour - maroon, of course.

The North West is well represented among the 12 fossils including Richmond's Kronosaurus and polycotylid, Winton's lovellea flower, Cloncurry's ridersia, Eromangasaurus australis from Maxwelton.,and Riversleigh's platypus known as Obdurodon dicksoni

The full list is:

Diamantinasaurus matildae - Heavily-built titanosaur

Kronosaurus queenslandicus - Super-predator of the Cretaceous seas

Muttaburrasaurus langdoni - Big-nosed ornithopod

Isisfordia duncani - Oldest known crocodile

Eromangasaurus australis - Long-necked elasmosaur

Rhoetosaurus brownie - Jurassic-aged sauropod

Australotitan Cooperensis - Large titanosaur

Richmond polycotylid - Long-snouted plesiosaur

Obdurodon dicksoni - Ancient platypus with teeth

Lovellea wintonensis - oldest known permineralised fossil flower

Siderops kehli - Giant Jurassic amphibian

Ridersia watsonae - Early Sea lily-like stalked echinoderm that came from the Cambrian seas of north western Queensland.

Mr Hinchliffe said the fossil emblem shortlist recognised the importance of dinosaurs to Queensland tourism.

"Queensland's best dinosaur destinations include Eromanga Natural History Museum, Australian Age of Dinosaurs, Kronosaurus Korner and Muttaburrasaurus Interpretation Centre," he said.

"The Palaszczuk Government is investing almost $500,000 in a dinosaur tourism roadmap to bring together Queensland's best prehistoric visitor experiences.

"Our roadmap will help tourism operators collectively promote the best Outback dinosaur destinations to domestic and international visitors to Queensland."

Voting is open to July 10.

To learn more about each of the nominees and to have your say visit www.qld.gov.au/fossilemblem

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