Kanawinka Geopark
Encyclopedia
The Kanawinka Geoparkhttp://www.kanawinkageopark.com/, named for Kanawinka, “Land of Tomorrow”, is situated along a structurally controlling geological fault of the same name that extends from the Narracoorte Caves
in South Australia
into Western Victoria
, before disappearing offshore at Portland
. In 1910, the name was also used as a Parish name for the area around Casterton and Coleraine.
The reason for naming the Geopark Kanawinka is:
Through its previous use as a Shire/Parish name, it also has a historical link to European Settlement.
Kanawinka was declared Australia's First National Geopark in September 2006. It occupies a significant portion of a geological feature known as the Otway Basin (Douglas et al. 1988). Kanawinka Geopark has an area of some 26,910 square kilometers across two States and 9 Shire Councils, with some 374 volcanic sites and many other significant geological sites and formations.
The Otway basin that hosts Kanawinka occupies the southern margin of South Australia and Victoria, and also has a significant portion located offshore. This basin formed when Australia rifted away from Gondwanaland (the southern supercontinent), which occurred about 95 million years ago (Drexel et al. 1993) . The sequence of sediments in the basin was deposited from Jurassic through to recent times.
The South Australian portion of the Geopark lies in the 'lower South East' or Limestone Coast
of the state, and adjoins the World Heritage area of Naracoorte Caves. The Victorian part lies in 'the Western Districts' of that state. Both areas are famous for their cheese, wine, forestry and rural industries.
The eastern extremity of the Geopark in Victoria is located only about one hour's drive from the state capital city, Melbourne. At the Victorian/ South Australian Border the distance is about four and a half to five hours drive from Melbourne. In the South Australian section it is located four to five hours' drive from that state’s capital of Adelaide.
Volcanic activity in Victoria younger than 7 million years is known as the Newer Volcanics Province
or Newer basalts. The activity in Kanawinka Geopark falls into this category. Most of the volcanism is estimated to have taken place from about 5 million years before present (B.P.) to around 5,000 years ago.
Included are 6 sites of International Significance, 14 of National significance along with many of state, regional and local significance. (Geological Survey of Australia Victorian Division and the Standing Committee on Geoheritage, National Estate listings 1980). The region varies from volcanic basalt plains dotted with eruption points through to limestone caves and crater lakes to the ‘Terra Rosa’ of the Coonawarra
, with its wonderful wines.
The basalt plains of Western Victoria are listed in the top 6 in the World for extent and complexity, and the Blue Lake
of Mount Gambier
is of International significance with its unique colour change each year. (Sheard, M. 1978)
The Kanawinka Geopark Board is a community based organization funded by 7 of the 9 Shire Councils and was the driving factor in the Geopark proposal, now supported by Tourism Victoria , South Australian Tourism Commission , The National Trust and the Geological Society of Australia along with the Management bodies of the Sites of Significance of the region.
Naracoorte Caves National Park
Naracoorte Caves is a national park near Naracoorte in the Limestone Coast tourism region in the south-east of South Australia . It was officially recognised in 1994 for its extensive fossil record when the site was inscribed on the World Heritage List, along with Riversleigh...
in South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
into Western Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, before disappearing offshore at Portland
Portland, Victoria
The city of Portland is the oldest European settlement in what is now the state of Victoria, Australia. It is the main urban centre of the Shire of Glenelg. It is located on Portland Bay.-History:...
. In 1910, the name was also used as a Parish name for the area around Casterton and Coleraine.
The reason for naming the Geopark Kanawinka is:
- The fault links the two states, and therefore the two sections of the park.
- The name links the Geopark to the local indigenous culture.
- The meaning – 'Land of Tomorrow', seems appropriate for promoting today’s geology for future generations.
Through its previous use as a Shire/Parish name, it also has a historical link to European Settlement.
Kanawinka was declared Australia's First National Geopark in September 2006. It occupies a significant portion of a geological feature known as the Otway Basin (Douglas et al. 1988). Kanawinka Geopark has an area of some 26,910 square kilometers across two States and 9 Shire Councils, with some 374 volcanic sites and many other significant geological sites and formations.
The Otway basin that hosts Kanawinka occupies the southern margin of South Australia and Victoria, and also has a significant portion located offshore. This basin formed when Australia rifted away from Gondwanaland (the southern supercontinent), which occurred about 95 million years ago (Drexel et al. 1993) . The sequence of sediments in the basin was deposited from Jurassic through to recent times.
The South Australian portion of the Geopark lies in the 'lower South East' or Limestone Coast
Limestone Coast
The Limestone Coast is a name used since the early twentyfirst century for the geographical region and tourist region of the southeast coast of South Australia from the Victoria border to the towards the city of Adelaide.-Location and description:...
of the state, and adjoins the World Heritage area of Naracoorte Caves. The Victorian part lies in 'the Western Districts' of that state. Both areas are famous for their cheese, wine, forestry and rural industries.
The eastern extremity of the Geopark in Victoria is located only about one hour's drive from the state capital city, Melbourne. At the Victorian/ South Australian Border the distance is about four and a half to five hours drive from Melbourne. In the South Australian section it is located four to five hours' drive from that state’s capital of Adelaide.
Volcanic activity in Victoria younger than 7 million years is known as the Newer Volcanics Province
Newer Volcanics Province
The Newer Volcanics Province is a complex of volcanic centres formed by the East Australia hotspot across south-eastern Australia. It has an area of 6,000 square miles with over 400 vents and contains the youngest volcanoes in Australia...
or Newer basalts. The activity in Kanawinka Geopark falls into this category. Most of the volcanism is estimated to have taken place from about 5 million years before present (B.P.) to around 5,000 years ago.
Included are 6 sites of International Significance, 14 of National significance along with many of state, regional and local significance. (Geological Survey of Australia Victorian Division and the Standing Committee on Geoheritage, National Estate listings 1980). The region varies from volcanic basalt plains dotted with eruption points through to limestone caves and crater lakes to the ‘Terra Rosa’ of the Coonawarra
Coonawarra
Coonawarra is a wine region, on the Limestone Coast of South Australia, that is known for the Cabernet Sauvignon wines produced on its "terra rossa" soil. Coonawarra is an Aboriginal word meaning "Honeysuckle". It is about 380 km southeast of Adelaide, close to the border with...
, with its wonderful wines.
The basalt plains of Western Victoria are listed in the top 6 in the World for extent and complexity, and the Blue Lake
Blue Lake (South Australia)
The Blue Lake in Mount Gambier, South Australia is a large monomictic lake located in an extinct volcanic maar associated with the Mount Gambier maar complex. It is one of four crater lakes on Mount Gambier...
of Mount Gambier
Mount Gambier (volcano)
Mount Gambier is a maar complex in South Australia associated with the Newer Volcanics Province. It contains four lake-filled maars called Blue Lake, Valley Lake, Leg of Mutton Lake, and Brownes Lake...
is of International significance with its unique colour change each year. (Sheard, M. 1978)
The Kanawinka Geopark Board is a community based organization funded by 7 of the 9 Shire Councils and was the driving factor in the Geopark proposal, now supported by Tourism Victoria , South Australian Tourism Commission , The National Trust and the Geological Society of Australia along with the Management bodies of the Sites of Significance of the region.