6 sites unearthing SA’s prehistoric past
Millions of years ago, South Australia was covered by diverse rainforest, teeming with enormous marsupials reminiscent of the modern Australian animals we see today.
Even earlier, there was an inland sea and lakes and rivers in which single-celled organisms were undergoing a radical transition.
It’s hard to imagine, as we now hold the unenviable title of the driest state in the driest country. It does however mean our state is filled with important and fascinating paleontological discoveries. While the only known ‘dinosaur’ to roam South Australia was the small, turkey-sized carnivorous Kakuru kujani, which lived about 110 million years ago – you can see it’s opalised toe bone in the South Australian Museum – the state was home to a vast array of prehistoric life forms.
Take a step back in time at these sites across South Australia.
1. Naracoorte Caves
Naracoorte Caves National Park is SA’s most famous fossil deposit, and officially recognised as a World Heritage Site for its historical importance. The 28 caves perfectly preserved the remains of many of Australia’s iconic megafauna, with four caves open for the public to explore as well as the above-ground Wonambi Fossil Centre.
About the fossils: Now-extinct megafauna mammals, birds and reptiles can be seen reconstructed here, including the marsupial lion (Thylacoleo carnifex) which was the largest carnivore in Australia, as well as giant koala (Phascolarctos stirtoni) and giant kangaroo (Procoptodon goliah).
2. Burra Railway Station
The Burra Railway Station may not the first place you think of to find fossils. However, at the turn of the 20th century, the skeleton of a Diprotodon optatum was discovered nearby at Baldina Creek and it, along with other extinct marsupials, are now on display in the restored Burra Railway Station.
About the fossils: The Diprotodon was a giant megafauna marsupial that became extinct about 25,000 years ago. It roamed across much of Australia and looked a little like a terrifying wombat crossed with a grizzly bear, standing at approximately 1.8m tall, likely weighing more than 3000kg.
3. Nilpena Ediacara National Park
For a dedicated journey into the past, prehistoric fans and budding palaeontologists can’t miss a tour through Nilpena Ediacara National Park. It is nestled among the dramatic Flinders Ranges, and access to SA’s newest national park is by guided tour only – read our guide to visiting the park.
About the fossils: Try to picture the Flinders Ranges covered by a shallow sea. The fossils found in this region date back to the Ediacaran Period and, as mentioned above, are the first known remains of complex, multicellular animals on Earth. These include creatures that could one day become our modern jellyfish, worms and sponges.
4. South Australian Museum
To see thousands of fossils in one go, head to the SA Museum in Adelaide. The museum houses 50,000 registered fossil specimens and is also an important palaeontology research hub.
About the fossils: The jewel in the crown of the museum’s collection is an opalised skeleton of an Addyman Plesiosaur, an enormous reptile that became extinct around 66 million years ago. Australia is the only place in the world where fossils can be preserved in the form of this precious stone. You’ll also find specimens dating back to the Ediacaran Period (635-542 million years ago), named after the Ediacara Hills in SA and lauded as a turning point in evolutionary advancement. Other specimens come from the Cambrian Period (542-488 million years ago), which produced the first trilobites, arthropods and more.
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5. Maslin and Aldinga
Next time you’re enjoying a stroll or swim at Maslin or Aldinga Beach, look closely at the cliff faces and you may spot some fossils embedded in the rock. These bands of limestone and sandstone date back more than 40 million years and have become exposed due to erosion.
About the fossils: Look out for fossilised mollusc shells, ancient starfish and sea urchin spines, and sponges embedded lodged at the base of the cliffs. Be mindful of the environment and council and government rules when fossil-fossicking.
6. Lake Callabonna
There are many other places where important links to the past have been found. However, not all sites can be visited, or the fossils are now residing elsewhere such as the SA Museum.
One of these sites is the ‘dead’ Lake Callabonna. The lake was once part of an enormous watercourse, but now water rarely reaches its shores. Over time, the water receded before drying up completely, and the fossils of huge beasts were found embedded further inland as they died searching for the vanishing water.
About the fossils: The area is now a graveyard to prehistoric animals such as the Diprotodon, which you can see up close in Burra, and a huge, toothless bird called Genyornis newtoni. You can see the lake from the air on a scenic flight from Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary.
Ready to step back in time?
They don’t have a time machine, but our RAA travel experts can help you explore SA’s prehistoric past.