| LOCATION |
| Map |
Show Map
|
| Address |
8kms south of NARACOORTE |
| Locality |
|
| Accuracy |
H - high level confidence |
| Council Area |
Naracoorte Lucindale Council |
| Polygon Type |
P - parcel (from DCDB) |
| DESCRIPTION |
| Details (Known As) |
Naracoorte Caves Complex [Designated as a place of geological, palaeontological and speleological significance] |
| Registered Name |
Naracoorte Caves Complex |
| Significance |
STATEMENT OF HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE
The Naracoorte Caves Complex is an iconic assembly of 37 large and small caves including 'Blanche & Victoria Fossil Caves, Naracoorte Caves National Park' (State Heritage Place: 11604) that demonstrate a wide range of significant stages in South Australian geological history. The complex provides a World heritage-listed palaeontological record, as well as a significant record of climate change history. It also has significant associations with the scientific work of Father Julian Tenison-Woods and the early development of cave tourism in South Australia.
The limestone landscape and caves contain many significant geological elements demonstrating two very important geological phases in the formation of coastal South Australia - the developing of the new Southern Ocean limestone sea floor (37-12 million years ago) in the Palaeogene and Neogene Periods following separation of Australia from Antarctica, and the commencement of the thirteen ancient coastlines across the region resulting from the Quaternary global Ice-age cycles in the last million years. Evidence of past climates and environmental changes are obtained from dating and chemical analysis of the many speleothems (stalactites, stalagmites and flowstone) and deep sediment sequences contained within multiple caves. The special combination of the Naracoorte ridge and caves within it which record this geological history is not repeated in South Australia or indeed on the Australian continent. Such a dense combination of varied but linked natural cave features set in a unique geological sequence does not occur elsewhere in South Australia.
Directly associated with the sediments, the world's largest and most comprehensive assemblage of Australian mammal fossils dating from 0.5 million years ago is excellently preserved within Victoria Fossil Cave and other sites. These are recognised by UNESCO World Heritage and Australian Natural Heritage designations and are on display to the public with high-quality scientific interpretations. Rated among the world's ten greatest fossil sites, the Naracoorte fossils are a superb illustration of the key stages in the evolution of the unique fauna of Australia - the world's most isolated continent. |
| Subject Index |
Landscape area - Palaeontological Site; Landscape area - Speleological Site; Landscape area - Geological Site |
| Class |
State |
|
|
| STATUS |
| Status Code |
REG - Confirmed as a State Heritage Place in the SA Heritage Register |
| Status Date |
17-MAY-2017 |
| REFERENCE |
| LGA |
Naracoorte Lucindale |
| State Heritage ID |
26459 |
| Heritage Number |
27695 |
|
|
|
| SECTION 16 INFORMATION |
| Section 16 |
a - it demonstrates important aspects of the evolution or pattern of the State's history
c - it may yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the State's history, including its natural history
d - it is an outstanding representative of a particular class of place of cultural significance
g - it has a special association with the life or work of a person or organisation or an event of historical importance
|
| PLAN PARCEL & TITLE |
| As listed in the SA Heritage Register |
| Plan Parcel & Title Information |
CR 5849/443 D54456 A20,CR 5849/443 D54456 Q23,24,CR 5622/224 H440800 S398,CR 5622/225 H440800 S82,392,397,487...,CR 5658/437 D51601 A20,CR 5658/438 D51601 A21,CR 5658/438 H440700 S647,CR 5658/439 D51601 A22,CR 5918/914 D63720 A102,CR 5970/592 D55385 A64,CR 5970/594 D55385 A66,CR 5980/729 D66931 A1,CR 6043/689 D66930 Q16,17,CR 6062/981 D44224 A30 |