Geology, Caves & Fossils
When it comes to caves, geology and fossils, South Australia has a lot to boast about.
We're home to the Flinders Ranges, one of the oldest mountain ranges on earth, with the most complete significant geological and fossil sites in the world. The great bulk of the mountains has eroded over millions of years to leave a fascinating landscape. Resistant quartzite now forms the highest peaks and ridges of the ranges while the softer mudstone, siltstone and shale have been worn away to form valleys and gorges.
March 2004 saw the discovery of the first new geological time period in 120 years, the Ediacaran Period. It recognises the 540-620 million-year-old fossils at Ediacara in the Flinders Ranges. Follow the geological heritage trail through Brachina George to see the Golden Spike site that marks the global reference point for the Ediacaran period.
The famous Outback town of Coober Pedy is also a gem for geology and fossil-lovers. Producing 90 per cent of the world's opals, Coober Pedy's opal fields cover almost 5000 square metres. Visitors can try their hand at noodling (fossicking) at various spots around town, while also learning about the history of the region at various mines and museums.
Paleontologists describe the Burra district in Clare Valley as one of Australia's richer megafauna sites. Diprotodons are Australia's largest marsupials and weighed in between one and two tonnes. Standing two metres tall and three metres long, these flat-footed and slow-moving herbivores died out around 60,000 years ago.
You can also explore Kelly Hill Caves on Kangaroo Island - a spectacular cave formation formed more than 120,000 years ago. Today, deposits of calcite continue to painstakingly create an ornate array of red-brown and cream formations. A 20-minute walk from the cave entrance leads you through dense Mallee bushland dotted with sinkholes and caverns. Kangaroo Island is also home to Remarkable Rocks at Flinders Chase National Paa famous cluster of huge, weather-sculpted granite boulders perched on a granite dome towering 75 metres above the sea.
The enchanting Aboriginal hand prints of the Murrawijine Caves (they're just a short drive from the Nullarbor Road House) on the Nullarbor Plain are also a 'must see'. The Nullarbor Plain on the Eyre Peninsula takes its name from the Latin 'nullis' and 'arbor' meaning no trees, and lives up to this title. Covering an area of 77,000 square miles, the plain was created about 25 million years ago when it emerged from the sea. In more recent times, massive cathedral-like caverns and underground lakes have been found beneath the surface.
Gawler Ranges on Eyre Peninsula is another geological hot spot in South Australia. Gawler Ranges National Park is home to deep gorges, and volcanic rook hills more than 1.5 billion years old. Stretching across the Eyre Highway, Gawler Ranges offers spectacular views, coupled with a vast array of wildlife.
For more information on fossils in South Australia, read our Fossils fact sheet.
Discover South Australian Geology
- World Heritage
- The spectacular Naracoorte Caves National Park is South Australia's only World Heritage-listed site. Read More
- Brachina Gorge Geological Trail
- Brachina Gorge is one of the Flinders Ranges's most popular and spectacular attractions. The gorge is an important refuge for the Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby as well as many species of birds and reptiles. Read More
- Origin Energy Fossil Gallery
- Don't miss this fossil gallery, located within the South Australian Museum in Adelaide. Read More
- Fossil Discovery Trail
- The Fossil Discovery Trail around South Australia is an incredible exploration of an ancient landscape. Journey back over 600 million years and experience this for yourself. Read More
