Fossils in the Outback
（此页面即将被翻译成中文，对于由此带来的不便我们深表歉意）Rock solid
Imagine an underwater reef ten times higher than the Great Barrier Reef. Imagine a marsupial with fist-sized molars. Imagine a two and half metre lizard-like marine reptile with razor sharp teeth.
Come to the Flinders Ranges and outback. You won’t need to imagine. More than 100 million years ago, inland Australia was a vast sea, teeming with ancient life forms. The waters have long since gone but it has left behind a region full of amazing fossils.
Coober Pedy
Places like Coober Pedy’s Moon Plain are rich in fossils. Today, this site is one of the few places in the world that you’ll find baby Plesiosaur fossils. You may end up taking some Plesiosaur or other fossils home in your opal because that’s what many of them have turned into.
The Strzelecki Track
A chain of saltpans in north-eastern South Australia is home to fossils of the world’s largest marsupial. Dig through the crusty surface of Lake Callabonna, not far from the Strzelecki Track and you’ll find remains of the Diprotodon. It had two big front teeth and huge molars for slicing and crushing the coarse vegetation.
Flinders Ranges
The most amazing fossils are in Brachina Gorge in the Flinders Ranges. Allow two to three hours to walk the Gorge’s Geological Trail. It’s a 20 kilometre (12 mile) self-guided walk that leads to an ancient reef containing 600 million year-old fossils.
The Dickinsonia Costata is an oval-shaped, worm-like organism and it’s the first evidence of multi-celled animals. These fossils are not very big, barely measuring 4cm long.
It’s an experience not to be missed. It’s best to enter Brachina Gorge from the eastern end, via the Blinman to Hawker Road. Brachina Gorge is an amazing place to camp but you’ll need to bring your own water, firewood and a gas or fuel stove.
Things to Do
Here are some great ideas for you to try while you’re in the area.
What’s On
There are plenty of events on in South Australia. Here are some ideas you might like.
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