Geodiversity in NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

I've returned from a wonderful weekend away in Tumut attending the National Parks and Wildlife Service Regional Advisory Committees' Conference on

Rehabilitation, Restoration and Geodiversity

It was lovely to meet so many people that share an interest in both geomorphology and conserving geodiversity.  I came away feeling like there is progression on acknowledging and promoting the importance of geodiversity. I also realised a lot of people have been working very hard behind the scenes for many years to have this important part of the environment recognised. This blog is about promoting knowledge about geodiversity to the modern family.

Over the weekend we visited Black Perry Lookout and Yarrangobilly Caves. The recently renovated caves house would make a great family holiday destination. I plan on getting our name on the waiting list. YES it is that popular you need to plan to stay there and book in advance. Go explore Kosciuszko National Park. It's a fabulous spot.

Black Perry Lookout

Self Guided Tour Cave (South Glory) at Yarrangobilly

 

Dharawal

Today was spent in the vicinity of Dharawal State Conservation Reserve and Nature Reserve. Gorgeous example of  Sydney Sandstone. The area lies in the Woronora Plateau with the geology comprising mostly of quartzose sandstone, with outcrops of shale and ironstone. So many gorgeous swimming holes, waterfalls, great bike riding, beautiful vegetation and rich cultural importance. 'Dharawal' refers to the language group of the local Aboriginal people. The local rock art is amazing, worthy of protection and respect. I can't wait to take my family to this wonderful swimming hole. I was there on a turbid day. I believe it becomes clearer during drier periods.

We drove past a Wianamatta shale area today. You could see the rich vegetation change, especially the growth of  Gymea Lillies, Doryanthes excelsa.  It is hard to find good examples of shale outcrops. Shale tends to form flatter topography with rich soil compared to Sydney Sandstone. The rich soil and simple topography of shale often results in the area being cleared for farming and buildings. Sydney sandstone has partly been saved due to the nature of the rugged stepped terrain with infertile soils making development and farming difficult. Today really was an eyesight full of waterfalls, rock outcrops and  great vegetation. I'm glad this place is protected in the NSW reserve system.

  

Yellow-bellied Sea Snake

Today I was walking along the beach nearby to the location of the petrified wood and came across a Yellow-bellied Sea snake. The snake was washed ashore during our stormy conditions. Yellow-Bellied sea snakes (Pelamis platurus) have a potentially fatal bite. They occur from the north coast of Australia from Perth to Wollongong and the east coast of Africa to the west coast of America. Odd individuals pop up in other locations. Status for the snake is secure however, I was not sure how they go out of water so I picked up the biggest stick I could find to send it back to sea. The adrenaline was pumping as I picked it up. Over ten years ago I did a snake handling course. Proved to myself that maybe snakes and I don't mix. The tiger snake tried to bite the net I was putting it into. Strangely enough the instructor quickly gave up playing with this snake, I'm sure it could sense my fear. It is an amazing feeling to pick up a snake, they are so cold and hard yet likely to twist and turn without much notice. 

Alas the yellow-bellied sea snake had no intention of returning to sea today. I watched it move around in the waves only to come back to shore. I watched for a while and warned a lady walking along with her three dogs. Two young guys walking along barefoot also tried to send the snake out to sea with no success. Turns out there is a growth on its side when you look closely at the photo. The tail looks amazing with the yellow colouring covered in dark blotches. In the field I would of described the snake as black in colouring. Turns out the yellow belly becomes duller in winter. Closer inspection of the photo shows the yellow colour. Hopefully the snake finds it way back to the sea tonight.

Wombeyan Caves

Our family spent a lovely weekend at Wombeyan Caves. We cheated and stayed in a dorm to avoid packing up tents in the rain.  We all adored the caves and the lively camping ground. It reminded me of why I study geomorphology. Karst rock features in the caves were so diverse and amazing. The caves were still, damp, quiet, dark and sparkly (well I imagined they were quiet if I removed our kids screams of delight). A few bats flew around the stalagmites, stalactites, helictites, flow stones and columns (cave formations- speleothem). Bushfires even got into the story due to the smoke colouring some cave features.

Accomodation  options at the caves include camping. cabins or dorms. We stayed in the dorms. Cheap, clean and rain proof. You still use communal toilets and there is no kitchen nearby. You can use the camp kitchen. We brought  our own stove which proved very useful.

 

The whole package is enjoyable at Wombeyan. The place is kid friendly. Bring your bikes, footy balls for the oval, wood for the fires  and the camera for the caves.  This geosite is fabulous.

Lat/Long -34.310300000°, 149.967000000°

Petrified Wood

The other day we took a walk along the beautiful Illawarra beaches starting at Belambi Lagoon. The kids enjoyed swimming even in the freezing weather, they really have minimal sense of cold. Dr Rock enjoyed pointing out the petrified wood in the rock platform. Petrified means turning into rock. This tree was around in the early Permian. Permian era was about 250 millions years ago, before the dinosaurs existed.

Petrified wood and the rock hollow where the tree stump once laid

Close up photo of the petrified wood 

We were chatting about the need for a scale in our photos. Do you think a gnome would be appropriate? Suggestions on scale ideas welcomed. 

The Start

Hello

We have this idea of promoting geodiversity. Come aboard and share our adventure. Our family consists of a Dr Geology Dad, a Geomorphologist Mum and their three boys. We will start out local, showing you the beautiful geosites in the Greater Sydney Region then move further a field within NSW, interstate and beyond.

This photo is of the Three Sisters located in Katoomba, NSW. The sisters are made predominately from sandstone, a sedimentary rock. The site is gorgeous in all weather and is one of the many features that make up the unique World Heritage Site of the Greater Blue Mountains.