What fossils are found in Riversleigh?
At Riversleigh you’ll discover ancient mammals, birds, fish, turtles, snakes and crocodiles that once roamed through lush rainforest and swam in freshwater lakes and are now preserved as fossils at your very feet.
Where is Riversleigh located?
north-west Queensland
The Riversleigh section, which covers 10,000 hectares, is located in the southern section of Boodjamulla National Park in north-west Queensland. Naracoorte can be found over 2,000 kilometres away in South Australia.
How old are Riversleigh fossils?
25 million years
Its fossils are from the late Oligocene period, dating back 25 million years. Turtles, fish, snails, crocodiles, lizards, pythons, birds and many types of mammal fossils have all been recovered from D Site.
Why is Riversleigh important?
Two of the world’s most important fossil sites, Riversleigh and Naracoorte, located in the north and south of Australia respectively, provide a superb fossil record of the evolution of this exceptional mammal fauna.
Where is the murgon fossil site?
south-east Queensland
The Murgon Fossil Site is located near Kingaroy in south-east Queensland (26° 14′ S, 151° 57′ E).
Where is Australian Fossil Mammal Sites?
The Australian Fossil Mammal Sites consists of two distinct areas listed as a combined World Heritage property—these are the Riversleigh section, north west of Mount Isa in north Queensland, and the Naracoorte section in South Australia.
Why is Riversleigh rich in fossils?
Riversleigh was once a lush rainforest scattered with lime mineral-rich freshwater pools. Some of the world’s most outstanding fossils from the Oligocene period to the Miocene period (10–30 million year ago) have been uncovered at Riversleigh.
Who discovered the Naracoorte Caves?
Father Julian Tenison Woods
Scientific research at Naracoorte Caves dates back to the mid nineteenth century, with the discovery of fossils in Blanche Cave by Father Julian Tenison Woods. Over the last 150 years, the Naracoorte Caves National Park has been a centre for research.
Where can I find fossils in South East Queensland?
Where is Murgon? The Murgon Fossil Site is located near Kingaroy in south-east Queensland (26° 14′ S, 151° 57′ E).
Where can I find fossils in Qld?
1. Delve into the dinosaur era at Lark Quarry
- Dinosaur Stampede National Monument | © Tourism and Events Queensland
- Dinosaur trackways | © Chris Whitelaw
- Flinders Discovery Centre and Museum | © Tourism and Events Queensland
- Porcupine Gorge National Park | © Tourism and Events Queensland
Why is Australian Fossil Mammal Sites important?
Together they represent the key stages in the development of Australia’s mammal fauna. While there are other important Australian fossil mammal sites, Riversleigh and Naracoorte are outstanding for the extreme diversity and the quality of preservation of their fossils.
Why have the Naracoorte Caves been made a World Heritage site?
The Caves preserve the most complete fossil record we have for this period of time, spanning several ice ages, the arrival of humans in the area and the extinction of Australia’s iconic Megafauna roughly 60,000 years ago.
Where are fossils found in Australia?
Fossils in Murgon, QLD Murgon is significant as the only site in Australia that records a diverse vertebrate fauna dating from the early Tertiary Period (55 million years ago), approximately ten million years after the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Why is the Naracoorte Caves so important?
Where can I find gemstones in Qld?
Fossicking in Queensland
- Willows designated fossicking land.
- Glenalva fossicking area.
- Middle Ridge fossicking area.
- Big Bessie fossicking area.
- Graves Hill fossicking area.
- Tomahawk Creek fossicking area.
- Sapphire/Rubyvale designated fossicking land.
Where are megalodon teeth found in Australia?
The rocks in Cape Range National Park, near Exmouth on WA’s north-west coast, are around six to 10 million years old and once formed an ancient seabed. Palaeontologists are finding the area to be a rich source of fossilised shark teeth.
How many caves are in the Naracoorte Caves?
Of the 28 known caves in the park, four are open to the public. Other caves are set aside for scientific research or to protect the caves and their contents. Many of the caves contain spectacular stalactites and stalagmites.
Where are the fossils found at Riversleigh?
D Site was one of the first major fossil deposits found at Riversleigh and is the only publicly accessible part of this World Heritage area. Its fossils are from the late Oligocene period, dating back 25 million years.
What is the Riversleigh World Heritage Site?
Located in the south-eastern section of the national park is the Riversleigh World Heritage Site. The World Heritage area was inscribed for its outstanding natural universal values. It is one of the most significant fossil deposits in the world and the richest known fossil mammal deposit in Australia.
What fossils have been found at D site?
Its fossils are from the late Oligocene period, dating back 25 million years. Turtles, fish, snails, crocodiles, lizards, pythons, birds and many types of mammal fossils have all been recovered from D Site. Read more about the nature, culture and history of Riversleigh.
What is the history of Riversleigh Park?
Prior to this, it was part of a significant cattle grazing property known as Lawn Hill Station. In March 1992 the park was extended to include the Riversleigh World Heritage Site that was part of the neighbouring Riversleigh Station. The Riversleigh Management Strategy (PDF, 559KB) guides the management of the area.